Saturday, February 2, 2013

International Blues Challenge Winner - Selwyn Birchwood Band, from Florida!


Congratz out to Selwyn Birchwood, and his band mates for winning the 2013 International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis TN on Feb 2, 2013. This annual event that draws competitors from around the world recognizes the best unsigned blues band through a multi-level competition, under the auspices of The Blues Foundation.


The Selwyn Birchwood Band is made up of:
Selwyn Birchwood - Guitar & Vocals
Donald "Huff" Wright - Bass
Regi Oliver - Sax
Curtis Nutall - Drums
Selwyn Birchwood Band - Photo from The Blues Foundation
This band also competed in the 2012 IBC and progressed to the finals. 

Selwyn Birchwood Band represented the Suncoast Blues Society of Florida.

For additional information on all Florida 2013 International Blues Challenge competitors and sponsoring organizations, CLICK HERE.


Florida's blues history with the IBC includes:
·      Roach Thompson: 1991-92 W.C. Handy Award Winner-Recipient of the B.B. King Lucille Award for Best Unsigned Blues Band in the U.S.A.
·      Joey Gilmore: 2006 winner of the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge.
·      JP Soars and the Red Hots: 2009 International Blues Challenge winners.

The Official Statement from The Blues Foundation:


The Blues Foundation's 29th International Blues Challenge concluded Saturday with an afternoon twin bill at the Orpheum Theatre.

The solo/duo winner was Little G Weevil, sponsored by Atlanta Blues Society and second place honors went to the Suitcase Brothers from the Barcelona Blues Society in Spain.

The top prize in the Band competition was awarded to the Selwyn Birchwood Band of the Suncoast Blues Society. Second place honors were earned by Michael van Merwyk and Bluesoul, German Blues Network, and the third spot went to Dan Treanor's Afrosippi Band w/ Erica Brown, hailing from the Colorado Blues Society.

A beautiful custom Gibson ES-335 guitar featuring The Blues Foundation's logo and a Category 5 amp was awarded to Selwyn Birchwood as the band finals top guitarist.

In the Best Self-Produced CD contest, the judges determined the best to be :
Montreal Blues Society
Solo Recordings
Steve Hill

Blues societies all over the world will soon be starting all over again as they begin their own competitions to determine who they will send to the 30th International Blues Challenge, the finals of which will be staged February 1, 2014. 

2 comments :

  1. Women in Jazz of South Florida rocked and also educated last night in Fort Lauderdale ! Never knew how our singers of today had the trail blazed by so many amazing jazz women who could hardly afford to eat at the end. Thanks Joan and band !!!

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  2. That is awesome!!!
    Michael
    www.michaelknespel.bandcamp.com

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