America has a strong puritanical work ethic. Metal offers the fantasy of rebelling from that lifestyle. Stetina lives that fantasy, and yet is also friendly, polite, sophisticated and obviously works very hard. Although he's not a household name, Stetina, a versatile master of his craft, plays a part in making metal float on water. Thursday, Feb. 8, Thai Joe's.
Few guitarists can sing and play their instrument at the same time.
It's even more uncommon for a member of a rhythm section to play and sing simultaneously, but Chicago blues bassist Willie Kent is the exception. Kent is also a bandleader, songwriter, and arranger. As a result of his multiple talents and hard work, Kent received several major awards in recent years, including several W.C. Handy Awards for best blues bassist, and best blues album of 1998 from the Chicago Music Awards. Kent actively works on new recording projects, even though he has three regular weekly gigs at well-known Chicago blues clubs and tours nationally and internationally on a regular basis. Well-versed in traditional jazz, his playing belies an appreciation for a range of musical traditions.