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Pete Sheridan a/k/a 'The Jukester'

has been a professional musician and vintage equipment
specialist for the past 35 years.

During this time he has performed as
harp player, lead vocalist, and slide guitarist, fronting a succession of blues
combos from The Juke Jelly Blues Band (1970-1974) to The Jumpin' Mud Cats
(1990-1992). He has also been featured on harp with The Triple A Blues Band
since 1990, and his signature harp tone is a major part of the band's sound on
their debut CD "High Water," released in 1997,
and their follow up CD "Pork Chop Money", released in 2000.

Current projects include
fronting the blues combo Juke & The Tone Patrol, presenting
workshops on harp technique and amplification, and compiling a book of jazz standards in
harp notation.

Future plans include
publishing a blues harp instruction method and appearing solo with rack
harp, mandolin, and guitar, performing both original and classic blues filtered
through his own approach to harp and slide.

Pete has appeared with many national and regional blues acts, including:

Buddy Guy

Maurice John Vaughn

Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson

The Nighthawks

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown

Johnny "Clyde" Copeland

Little Ed and The Blues Imperials

Otis Clay

Satan and Adam

Big Jack Johnson

Kenny Neal

Lucky Peterson

Smokey Wilson

E.C. Scott

James Peterson

Guy Davis

James "Super Chikan" Johnson

Since 1989 he has been a regular performer at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of The Arts and has appeared at a number of regional blues festivals, including the Western Maryland Blues Fest in Hagerstown, Maryland and the Chameleon Blues Festival in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

He cites Little Walter Jacobs and Rice Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson #2) as major influences on harp, with his main slide inspirations coming from Elmore James, Robert Nighthawk, and Hound Dog Taylor.

As a blues researcher, historian and journalist, Pete's articles and comments
have been published in Guitar Player Magazine, Living Blues Magazine,
Blues Review Magazine, Blues Access Magazine, American Harmonica Newsmagazine, and The Guitar Player Book.

In addition to maintaining a busy performing schedule, he also accepts a limited number
of students for one-on-one instruction in blues harp and slide guitar techniques.

He also builds solid body guitars and amplifier speaker cabinets, and refurbishes vintage amps.

During an eight-year stay in Los Angeles he met and became friends with George "Harmonica" Smith, William Clarke, Pee Wee Crayton, and Smokey Wilson, and was a frequent visitor to
Smokey's famed Pioneer Club in Watts.

During his research he has interviewed numerous blues harp and guitar players, including:

George "Harmonica" Smith

William Clarke

John Hammond

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown

Smokey Wilson

Johnny Dyer

Pee Wee Crayton

George Thorogood

Blind Joe Hill

Pete's first book, "The Quest for Tone in Amplified Blues Harp," has received
acclaim from harp players worldwide.

Pete's second book "Affordable Axes And
Cool Amps For The Slide Guitarist/Harp Player" is an essential companion
volume to "The Quest For Tone...".

Pete's recently completed third book, "Wayne Raney - That Hillbilly Boogie Boy, Country Crooner, and Born Again Gospel Guy with The Talking Harmonica" is an in-depth look at the life and musical times of a seminal figure in the promotion of the harmonica as a legitimate instrument in American popular culture.

In June of 2001 Hohner, Inc. signed on Pete as an official endorser. He has
played Hohner harmonicas exclusively throughout his performing career.

Juke & The Tone Patrol - Performance Reviews:

"One of my favorite blues bands. These guys are the real deal - just straight-ahead blues
with no sweat, no fuss, no bother."
G.Wayne Laepple, The Daily Item, Milton, PA

"Juke & The Tone Patrol are Blues Masters. This band is on a roll, blasting the blues all over Central PA to great acclaim. Real American music - classic tunes from the golden age of Chicago blues, plus a slew of cool originals from the band."
Tim Bowser, The Equinox Cafe, Millheim, PA

 

 

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