There are many different opinions as to what the future of the blues harmonica will be. Memphis vocalist and harmonica player Brandon Santini is undeniably a worthy player to keep an eye on as the latest surge of young blues artists leave their footprint in blues history.  His name is worthy of conversations that include Jason Ricci, Billy Gibson, Dennis Gruenling, Rick Estrin and other frontline harmonica players by combining his love and respect for traditional blues with a present, colorful style of playing that is often compared to James Cotton or Paul Butterfield.  Raised in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, Brandon purchased his first harmonica in 1997 at the age of fifteen when his mother took him to the local music store upon his request.  He founded the Blues Music Award nominated band Delta Highway in 2003 and relocated to Memphis where he absorbed the sounds and culture of the Delta and North Mississippi Hill Country, honing his craft night after night, sweating it out in local Beale Street clubs just like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King did decades before him.

 “This Time Another Year” is Brandon’s second album, recorded at the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis and features twelve dynamic performances from his live band (playing over 220 shows together in 2012) while enlisting the help of good friends Victor Wainwright and Chris Stephenson.  This sophomore effort was recorded live over a span of four days with minimal overdubs which created a very “live” sound.  The album starts out with fiery energy, letting up only to allow some soulful slow and mellow songs in every now and again. Mixing electric and acoustic sounds, this is the record that critics have already proclaimed will be in many blues fans’ CD players for awhile to come!

 

• Nominated for Blues Music Award in 2009 with his longtime band Delta Highway

• Performed in countries such as Italy, Belgium, Holland, Norway, Germany, & Canada

• Was part of a BLUZAPALOOZA tour to Cairo, Egypt as part of The Memphis Blues Allstars

• Has received extensive worldwide radio play including SiriusXM Satellite Radio

• Represented The Memphis Blues Society in the 2006 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN