THE VINCENTHAYESPROJECT

 

Led by guitarist/vocalist Vincent Hayes, and packing one of the tightest rhythm sections in Michigan, The Vincent Hayes Project has established themselves as one of Michigan’s premier blues ensembles. In addition to being veterans of the Michigan Blues Festival circuit, the band has become one of John Sinclair’s backing bands of “Blues Scholars” on his recent tour of Michigan in 2007. In both 2006 and 2007 they traveled to Memphis, TN when they were chosen as one out of 100 blues bands in the world in the prestigious Annual International Blues Challenge on Beale Street, sponsored by The Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN. They have been invited to open for a growing list of national headliners such as The Steve Miller Band, Joe Bonamassa, Frank Bang’s Secret Stash and more.  Additionally, Vincent’s solo disk, “Things Just Got Worse”, and the band’s 5 song EP, “2.09” have both been featured weekly on WGVU 88.5 FM & 95.3  FM since their release. They are also the hosts of the weekly Sunday Blues Jam at The Deelite Bar & Grill in Grand Haven, MI, one of the most successful weekly blues events in West Michigan.  With the addition of Christian VanAntwerpen on keyboards in 2010, the band is diversifying their sound with new layers of melody and musicianship.

The band is currently in the studio with Glenn Brown Productions (Root Doctor, Greg Nagy, Kid Rock, Eminem), recording their new CD release or all original blues, titled, “Reclamation”, to be released in March 2010.

What makes this group unique is its raw power coupled with subtle dynamics and versatility. The VHP is founded on the Blues, but still manages to find the blues within other musical genres, drawing inspiration from a wide array of backgrounds in funk, reggae, soul, jazz, gospel, rock, Motown, and American folk, as all of these genres essentially trace their lineage to the Blues. The goal is to make good music-whatever that may be.

“For those who have had their fill of raucous blues shuffles, the Vincent Hayes Project brings their own personal blend of blues; a culmination of Hayes’ eclectic tastes, expressively cranked out from fierce guitar licks. Combine that with a veteran bassist (David Alves, who Hayes describes as "indispensable") and a guru of groove on drums (Donny Hugley) and you’ve got an explosive blues experience waiting to be lit.”   -Lansing City Pulse, 2006

“Man, I like what you guys do!” –Steve Miller

 

“If you don’t move in one way or three others, you gotta be dead! Amazing stuff!”                  –Storm Roger, WGVU-FM 88.5/95.3, Grand Rapids, MI

 

“Hayes not only plays with the big dogs, he keeps up!”-Ed Markowsky, WMBS

 

 

 

 

 Vincent Hayes-Guitar  & Lead Vocals. As a 20 year veteran, Vincent Hayes has established himself as one of Michigan's most respected blues guitarists. With a fiery voice and a lively stage stage presence, Vincent Hayes delivers the blues with honesty and passion, fusing traditional blues with his own inspirations and modern influences. He has performed alongside and opened for the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Steve Miller Band, Peter "Madcat" Ruth, John Sinclair, and more. In addition to performing, Vincent has written a variety of editorial articles for the Blues Festival Guide, and has taught both private music lessons and guitar clinics at regional music festivals for the past 15 years. He is also a board member of Killer Blues, a non-profit organization devoted to raising money to purchase headstones for deceased blues artists.
   

David Alves-Bass Guitar & Vocals. A Detroit native, Dave Alves grew up in the shadow of Motown, with music on virtually every street corner. Alves cut his teeth on bass violin, studying classical music and attending Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in northern Muskegon County as a teenager.  Half Jamaican, he was also raised with Reggae music, and became one of Detroit's most notable working bass players during the 80's and early 90's,  even earning a Detroit Music Award for Best Reggae Bass Player.  Dave's Reggae roots run just as deep as his Classical upbringing-he has backed up and opened for some of the biggest names in Reggae including OC Roberts & The Samaritans, U-Roy, The Detroit All Star Reggae Band, Leroy Sibbles, Josey Wales, Sugar Minott, Chakademus, as well as being the opener for Dennis Brown and John Holt on the "Wildfire Tour".  Additionally, he has traveled with a number of various gospel groups. Dave is gifted with melody, a true “pocket player” and the confident & cool foundation of the rhythm section. 
   

Donny Hugley-Percussion. Donny is truly one of the most versatile and creative drummers in West Michigan. He is an imaginative improvisationalist, while being the driving raw power of the rhythm section. Donny was also the drummer for Big Daddy Fox before joining the VHP. Hugley also brings a gospel sensibility to the band. He is a 25-year member of the group the Michigan Soul Searchers.  A true showman, Donny not only stays in the pocket, but he has been known to play a drum solo one-handed while walking in a complete circle around his drum set....without missing a beat!
   

Christian VanAntwerpen-Keyboards. Christian has honed his chops with a long list of Michigan artists, including Roberta Bradley, Nine Mile Smile, and many others. His improvisational abilities and finesse on the Hammond organ, Clavinet and Fender Rhodes are equal to his enthusiastic stage presence. Christian also recently wrote a full-length feature article for an upcoming issue of Keyboard magazine sharing his impeccable knowledge of using freeware to help keyboardists achieve great live sound.
   

Steve "Doc" Yankee-Piano/Keyboards. Born into a musical family, Keyboardist & Vocalist Steve "Doc" Yankee's love affair with keyboards began at the age of 5 years old. His grandfather, elected posthumously into the Concertina Hall of Fame, composed “The Yankee Waltz” in 1911, which is still played by polka and variety bands around the country.

Doc's own musical career spans over five decades and stints with "dozens" of groups, including Fast Eddie & The Smooth Talkers, Union Street and the Galligan Blues Band. He's toured with Junior Valentine, Nappy Brown, James Armstrong and many other blues luminaries. His distinctive playing style has been described as “slick Memphis piano with a heavy dose of New Orleans rhythm.”

In 2005, Doc performed with "3rd Degree" at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. He toured nationally with James Armstrong in 2009. Currently Doc is active with studio work and performing with a variety of regional blues bands.