Jimmy and the Soulblazers


Jimmy and The Soul Blazers are an American soul and funk band from Alliance, Ohio. Since 1966 they have played for audiences across the East Coast and Midwest of the United States.

Career

Signed with Kapp Records in 1970 as Change, they released two singles. In 1972, they called themselves The Joneses, and combined their Motown and R&B with more rock songs and their own compositions. Although they were still performing as The Joneses, in 1973 they released a supposedly self-titled album of original songs and covers, Clockwork on Greene Bottle Records, a division of Famous Music. Clockwork was re-released in 2010, on Rick Cassidy's Homespun Records label.
Their vocals and musicianship have kept them a regional favorite for many years. In 2002, a new album, It's About Time, was released. A mixture of Motown hits with a few lesser known soul tunes, it also featured the Soul Blazers' longtime cover of "Goin' Out of My Head" a Little Anthony tune, "With A Little Help From My Friends", a Joe Cocker cover, and a cover of "Grazin' In The Grass." They also have added a horn section to their lineup. The band has spawned other groups such as Copperfield...Avenue...Agatha Brooke....PW Blues Band...Sorge Brothers Band...and Groove Warehaus.
They have been the opening act for Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, the O'Jays, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Three Dog Night, Uriah Heep, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Sly & the Family Stone, James Gang, Jr. Walker and the All Stars, the Four Tops, Ray Charles, Frankie Valli, and Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels.
In 2015 founding member Michael "Puggy" Duruttya retired. On 29 October 2016, a celebration concert was held marking the band's 50th year together. During the event the band not only received congratulatory notes from musical luminaries including Martha Reeves, The Young Rascals, The Shirelles, and Chubby Checker, they were also presented with commendations from Ohio Governor John. R. Kasich and the Ohio House of Representatives.

Current lineup

Singles