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Tim Dennison

Jason Lockwood

Mark Hoekstra

Steve Parrish

Jump and West Side Chicago Blues

The Stella-Vees Blues Band plays Chicago and West Coast style blues reflecting influences of legendary blues musicians like T-Bone Walker, Hollywood Fats, Magic Sam and Little Walter. Formed in 2001 with four musicians who hosted the Lexington (KY) Blues Society’s weekly jam sessions, The Stella-Vees capture many qualities of the early blues.    The band is known for their use of simple rhythms, unique arrangements, and dynamics. 

The Stella-Vees are largely built around the unique vocal/guitar style of “Songsmith” Jason Lockwood (Knoxville, TN). Their exclusive sound is likewise propelled by harmonica ace Mark Hoekstra (Chicago, IL). Mark’s rich performing history dates back to the 1980’s with the phenomenal West Side Heat, and three years of travel with The Legendary Blues Band. Tim Dennison (Louisville, KY) on bass and Steve Parrish (New Orleans, LA) on drums provide the solid runway from which The Stella-Vees lift off.

The Stella-Vees finished first, winning the 2004 and the 2006 Kentuckiana Blues Society’s “Unsigned Blues Band Competition” in Louisville, KY. Competing bands in this highly respected event are judged on original blues material, showmanship, and blues talent. The Stella-Vees have played many major blues festivals since 2007 and continue to be a mainstay on the blues circuit..

In February, 2011 they will travel back to Memphis, for the 11th consecutive year, to host their annual Blues Jam at Mr. Handy's Blues Hall on historic Beale Street. The Jam is a centerpiece attraction for players and blues fans attending the International Blues Challenge, the world’s largest annual gathering of blues musicians.

The Stella-Vees Blues Band’s sixteen song CD, “Come Round Baby,” consisting of eight originals tunes, currently enjoys airplay coast to coast, and in far-flung global blues hotspots, including Poland and Australia.

The Stella Vees Live on KET's Jubilee Series
http://www.ket.org/tvschedules/episode.php?nola=KJUBL+001510

Lockwood and Parrish playing some classic T Bone Walker and Junior Wells with former Stella Vee members Steve Konopka and Brian Murphy 

www.e-webvid.com/StellaVees_1000k_JDW.html

• • • Preston
    • New Orleans, LA
    • Jan 23, 2012 @ 10:31 PM

  • Very fortunate to be in Louisville last November to catch a "Stella" performance ... these guys are musicians' musicians, each his own maestro, assembled to provide the listener with blues bliss.

• • • Wayne
    • Louisville
    • Oct 6, 2011 @ 4:22 PM

  • Enjoyed you at Bigrock Blues & Jazz Festival. Bought your CD and love it. Hope you will be back in town soon.

• • • Shannon
    • Col Bill Williams Festival
    • Aug 21, 2011 @ 7:58 PM

  • It was a true pleasure meeting you "cats" cool that you dug our festival....wish we had had more time to visit. Stay in touch......later

• • • Nadean
    • KY
    • Aug 12, 2011 @ 4:34 PM

  • Where can I buy your cds? I heard you guys the other nite on KET in Kentucky. You guys were GREAT! Best blues I have ever heard.

• • • Katrina
    • Knoxville
    • Apr 12, 2011 @ 9:42 AM

  • Great show in K-town - good to see home town boy~

• • • Carla K
    • Lindale, Texas
    • Mar 16, 2011 @ 10:46 AM

  • We heard the Stella Vees a couple years ago in Hot Springs, Arkansas. They are awesome and are now our favorite blues band. We are so excited to see them coming out to Hot Springs again in September to the Ohio Club. Can't Wait!

• • • Renneineubecker
    • Jan 30, 2011 @ 1:48 AM

  • Kick Ass job tonight fellas, Thanks for giving us a fun time. Marsh just started her 13th round of chemo yesterday & I didn't' know how long she would make it, but the music was good medicine & well ... glad we could be there for several sets. (:

• • • Steve Parrish
    • Lexington, Kentucky
    • Dec 16, 2010 @ 2:05 PM

  • I want to thank all the folks who have attended The Stella Vees shows over the past years. Also, I want to thank the promoters, club owners and festival promoters for allowing us to entertain your patrons!

    Steve Parrish/ Drummer The Stella Vees

• • • Jim Larimore
    • Louisville, KY
    • Jul 17, 2010 @ 8:17 AM

  • ...every month is not to be missed as the Stella Vees a blues band plays. They are incredible!!!

• • • Dorin Luck
    • Henderson, KY
    • Jun 23, 2010 @ 6:18 PM

  • I gotta tell you guys, you're one of my favorite bands to ever play the WC Handy Festival.

    Top notch in every way.

    Jason Lockwood's guitar style is exactly the way I think blues guitar should be played.

    GREAT BAND!

    Dorin Luck Music Chairman WC Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival