Excitement is building for “A Tribute To Walter,” the upcoming Walter Trout Band Tour fronted by guitarist Danny Bryant with special guest, Jon Trout (Walter’s son) on guitar. The two-month, U.S.-Canadian tour kicks off July 31 in Hermosa Beach, Calif. (see complete itinerary here) and is an appreciative return for Trout’s band while they await the return of their enigmatic leader as he recovers from a recent liver transplant.
Danny Bryant, acclaimed U.K. guitarist-vocalist and Walter Trout protégé, will be fronting the WTB in place of Trout. Jon Trout, Walter’s 21-year-old son, will be accompanying the band on guitar for the entire tour. Danny and Jon first jammed together earlier this year at London’s famed ‘02 Shepherds Bush Empire, and the onstage chemistry between the two was instant for all to see – making it a must decision for Jon to be added to this very special celebration of his father’s and one of the world’s greatest blues artists. In the same way Walter Trout has mentored Danny Bryant, Danny is now doing the same for the younger Trout. Regular WTB members Rick Knapp (bass), Sammy Avila (keyboards), and Michael Leasure (drums) round out what promises to be a stellar band that certainly has Walter’s stamp of approval!
Bryant’s special relationship with Walter is well-documented. When then-fifteen-year-old Danny Bryant sent a fan letter to Trout almost twenty years ago after discovering Walter’s music in his parents record collection, he surprisingly received a phone call one evening out of the blue from his idol. Thus began a special mentor-ship and unique bond that would change the course of Danny’s life forever. Trout has mentored Danny ever since, offering wisdom and advice freely. From the early days of afternoon guitar lessons during Walter’s relentless UK tours, to numerous support slots, recording sessions and sensational jams at major international festivals, the Walter Trout-Danny Bryant relationship is truly special. Bryant was recently described as “a national blues treasure” by Classic Rock ‘The Blues’ Magazine.
Danny Bryant will be fronting Walter’s powerhouse rhythm section. Sammy Avila (keyboards) has been with Walter since 2001. Born and raised in San Gabriel, California, into a musical family, Avila cut his teeth on the L.A. club circuit playing with a vast array of musical acts. Michael Leasure (drums), born in Alhambra, California, played with guitar phenom Philip Sayce for six years and the legendary Edgar Winter before joining the Walter Trout band in 2008. Rick Knapp (bass) has played with such legends as Carey Bell, Sam Lay, and Bo Diddley before joining the Walter Trout Band in 2005. Together they form one of the greatest blues/rock outfits anywhere in the world.
For Jon Trout, it seems very natural to be following in his father’s musical footsteps on guitar. In much the same way that his father once mentored Danny Bryant, Jon Trout is now receiving the same guidance and tutelage from Bryant.
Walter Trout has just released The Blues Came Callin’ (limited edition, CD/DVD). Walter’s biography, Rescued From Reality, is due out July 8. It will feature pages of previously unreleased photos from Trout’s childhood as well as Trout’s years with Canned Heat and John Mayall, as well as many from his storied solo career. The next Collectible Vinyl Series release of Walter’s recordings, Positively Beale Street, drops July 7.
Find the July 31-Aug 30 schedule for Tribute To Walter Trout featuring the Walter Trout Band with Danny Bryant & Jon Trout here. An Aug 18 date on New York will also feature special guests Popa Chubby and Dana Fuchs
