Chicago native Nick Moss and New Jersey born harmonica player Dennis Gruenling join forces with an exceptional band to bring you “Get Your Back Into It!” This timeless blue-collar blues album is deeply rooted in the electrifying sounds of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. With Rodrigo Mantovani on bass, Taylor Streiff on keyboards, and Pierce Downer on drums, the album is a testament to their commitment to preserving the authenticity of the music.
Produced by Moss and Mantovani, “Get Your Back Into It!” features fourteen original songs, including twelve by Moss and two by Gruenling. Notable guests such as saxophonist “Sax” Gordon Beadle and organist “Brother” John Kattke add their unique touch to this remarkable album. With a perfect blend of taste, restraint, sly humor, and pure joy, the album also showcases three wild instrumentals that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Moss explains, “We’re not reinventing the wheel, but we like to challenge ourselves and push beyond our comfort zone, and I believe we’ve achieved that.”
Nick Moss, a respected guitarist and vocalist, earned his stripes playing bass for bluesman Jimmy “Fast Fingers” Dawkins. He then caught the attention of Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, who invited Moss to join his Legendary Blues Band but insisted he switch to guitar. Mentored by blues icon Jimmy Rogers along the way, Moss developed his blistering fretwork, impassioned vocals, and memorable original songs, establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with.
Dennis Gruenling, a friend of Moss for over two decades, is known as one of today’s most innovative and creative blues harmonica players. His high-energy, full-throttle reed work has drawn comparisons to legendary musicians like James Cotton. With seven solo albums and numerous guest appearances under his belt, Gruenling’s giant, fat-toned harp work, raw-boned singing, and untamed energy perfectly complement Moss’ inspired guitar playing and straight-from-the-heart blues vocals. Vintage Guitar raves, “Gruenling’s harp, along with Moss’ intense blues guitar, is pure ecstasy.”
The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling’s previous Alligator albums, “The High Cost Of Low Living” (2018) and “Lucky Guy!” (2019), made waves among blues fans, press, and radio. The band garnered five Blues Music Awards, including wins in 2020 for Band Of The Year, Song Of The Year (Lucky Guy), and Traditional Blues Album Of The Year (Lucky Guy!). In 2019, they took home awards for Traditional Blues Male Artist (Moss) and Instrumentalist—Harmonica (Gruenling). Blues Music Magazine hails Nick Moss as a major force in contemporary blues, while Dennis Gruenling’s harmonica skills are described as infectious and finger-snappin’.
“Lucky Guy!” secured a spot in the Top 10 on the Living Blues Radio Chart’s Top 50 Albums of 2019. Internationally, the album reached #1 on blues charts in Australia, #3 in France, and #7 in the UK. Songs from “Lucky Guy!” received significant airplay on BBC2 in Britain and CBC in Canada, with the title track becoming one of the most played songs on SiriusXM’s Bluesville.
With “Get Your Back Into It!” and upcoming tours across North America and Europe, The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling is ready to captivate both existing and new fans. Whether they’re performing in clubs, concert halls, or festival stages, their brash and exciting blues will set the stage on fire. Moss affirms, “When we come together, the music takes control. We can’t hold back, and the energy just pours out. We get carried away, and the audience gets carried away with us.” Don’t miss the opportunity to experience their irresistible musical firestorm firsthand.
