The B Willie Smith Band

In high-school (No. Haven Class of 1973), we shared a common interest in Chicago Blues and Hank Williams (SR) style of stripped down Country. We started out playing in a room off our guitarist's garage every Sunday night in 1971. It was very fraternal and pure. We were very content to play just for ourselves and, in fact, we encouraged friends not to come by. We played our first "job" as B. Willie Smith in 1972 (we were all 17 years old) at a small bar in North Haven called The Black Stallion for 10 bucks a guy and packed the place (50 people). We persevered, went on to record 2 LP's and toured up and down the East Coast for years. Below is our original 6-piece lineup. We are available for special reunion gigs and private parties: Bruce Smith - Vocals, drums and rhythm guitar. Bruce, aka B Willie, is known for his major charisma and smooth as silk vocals. Jerry Connolly - Drums, harmonica, vocals. Big backbeat! Jerry comes out from behind drums for sizzling blues-soaked harmonica and vocals. Steve Baldino - Guitar, vocals. Steve's guitar style can be described as "Albert King meets Chet Atkins." A totally original guitarist who sounds like no one else! Mike Cavadini - Piano, alto sax, vocals. Mike is at home in any style on the 88's. Switches to alto sax to join the B. Willie Horns. Bob Elliott - Bass, vocals, and the band's most prolific songwriter. Bob sings many of his own songs, and brings a country sensibility to the band. Bill Holloman - Tenor sax, trumpet, keyboards and vocals. Bill is a Monster talent! An in-demand professional musician, Bill has played with Paul Simon, Larry Gatlin, Danny Gatton, Beyonce, Roberta Flack, Chic, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Shaboo Allstars, among many others. When not touring the world, he takes time out to have fun with his old band, the B Willies.

New Haven, CT