About L’il Ronnie and the Grand Dukes

Lil’ Ronnie & the Grand Dukes are, to quote one reviewer, "...the real deal! ... superb talents well versed in traditional blues". They are led by harpist, singer/songwriter and Hohner Harmonica endorsee Ronnie Owens. Ronnie is a member of  that first generation of white bluesmen who embraced the genre during the folk / blues revival of the early 60's. Ronnie has been performing since the early 60's and has been fronting his own bands for over 25 years. He has shared the stage and played with some of the biggest names in the blues world, John lee Hooker, James Cotton, Taj Mahal, Gatemouth Brown, Carey Bell, Anson Funderburgh / Sam Mayers, Koko Taylor and many, many others.  For a more extensive bio for L'il Ronnie, please click here.

Adding his incendiary guitar work is  young D.C. guitar virtuoso, Robert Frahm, at only 21 years of age Robert is one of  the  few  young blues players that really 'gets it' At a very young age he learned  the all-important lesson of going backwards to go forwards and learning the history of  the language that is the blues. Robert already possesses traits that take most players much longer to grasp, if ever, he displays a maturity in his phrasing, tones and choice of notes that are truly remarkable. His name will certainly be added to the short list of other young blues guitarist that 'get it'. Robert is also a soulful vocalist & his singing is featured in the live shows.

Holding down the bottom is veteran bassman Bryan Smith. Bryan has spent many years playing in the D.C. area's top blues, rockabilly & roots bands. Bryan was the original bass player for the Bob Margolin blues band back in the 70's., Bryan also played with blues legends Robert Lockwood Jr. & Sam Meyers  almost 30 years ago! Bryan later went on to play with some of D.C. most popular groups  including  Tex Rubinwitz & the Bad Boys, Billy Hancock's Tennessee Rockets, The great Bill Kirchen & The prestigious US Navy bands.  Bryan is an accomplished standup bassist.

Rounding out the Grand Dukes rhythm section is former Modern Drummer Magazine award winner, George Sheppard. George, who lives in Northern VA  is a world renowned drummer & has toured / recorded with everyone from jazz icon Dizzy Gillespie to the rock group The Talking Heads, as well as Grammy nominated guitarist Eric Johnson & Handy Award winners the Smokin' Joe Kubek Band with B'nois King. He also is an endorsee for Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drums and has his own signature line of sticks with Vic Firth. George is also an in demand clinician, writer & instructor .

Also from the Washington, D.C. area is keyboard whiz Mark Stevens. He is a highly sought after player for his deeply felt brand of piano and organ.  From the deep blues piano of Otis Spann to the New Orleans soul of Professor Longhair to the groovin' organ sounds of Jimmy Smith, Mark's got it down.  He has played with a host of blues greats including Roomful Of Blues, Kim Wilson, James Harman, and Jerry Portnoy, and appears on Kim Wilson's two most recent solo albums.  Mark is another young man that truly 'gets it'.  This is an awesome, all-star band that is not to be missed!