There's no question why they gave Joe Kubek the nickname "Smokin'." He's one of the hottest electric guitar players on the blues scene today. Kubek has the technique and the chops to burn up any stage and has been doing so for the past 33 years. A guitar prodigy at the age of 14, the Texas guitar slinger frequented the Dallas bar scene during the 1970's and early '80s playing with Stevie Ray Vaughan and people like the three Kings, B. B., Albert and Freddie. He played rhythm guitar behind Freddie King for a while, until King's death in December 1976.

Kubek didn't hit his stride, however, until he teamed up with jazz guitarist and singer Bnois King (no relation to Freddie) of Monroe, Louisiana, in 1989. This union began during a regular Monday-night gig in Dallas when Kubek invited King to sit in and found that King's softer, jazz-based guitar and vocals perfectly complemented Kubek's headier rock-inspired guitar work. The combination just clicked, resulting in a tasteful blending of differing styles with satisfying, fiery results.

The two formed a band and have been playing, touring, and recording together ever since, with King laying down a bed of smooth supporting jazz chords that allows Kubek to take center stage and play with almost reckless abandon. The Smokin' Joe Kubek Band featuring Bnois King has indeed become a well-traveled band, performing at thousands of clubs, festivals and roadhouses and distinguishing themselves as one of the baddest-ass blues bands in the land.

Joe and Bnois are a study in opposites. The two come from differing musical backgrounds - Kubek was raised on sweaty Texas blues while King has a love for jazz and R&B. Kubek explodes on stage with a blazing blues/rock style born from the guitar traditions of Texas. King finesses fat chords with a hollow body Gibson and belts out blues with his whisper-to-growl voice, his sound rooted in the jazz tradition of Louisiana.

Together, they form a musically intuitive partnership, complementing each other in a dynamic musical tour de force. Blues Revue has stated, "King's jazzy guitar work is the perfect foil to Kubek's more incendiary style. They are simply the best guitar tandem on the scene today." Guitar One magazine observed, "King's jazzman style and soulful vocals have proved the perfect complement to Kubek's full-bore guitar attack and fat, natural tone." Kubek's impeccable guitar solos follow King's sublime vocals perfectly. The jazz-infected blues guitar runs of King are sharp and inventive, and are a great counterpoint to Kubek's slashing, stinging power and drive. Moreover, King's impassioned vocals are one of the most distinctive sounds in the blues. His vocals can bring tears to your eyes, sinking into lonely soulful blues or reveling in the joy of being alive, as he completely captures the heart of a song.

Over the years the band has compiled a prolific discography, finding time in their busy touring schedule to record seven albums for Bullseye Blues before signing with Blind Pig in 2002.

Information from Blind Pig Records

Musicians

• Joe "Smokin'" Kubek: guitar
• Bnois King: guitar, lead vocals, vocals

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