Mike Zito
 
  • 2021 BMA Award Winner "Blues Rock Artist" Category

  • 2021 BMA Award Winner "Blues Rock Album" Category
  • Mike Zito is one of the most lauded artists in the contemporary blues arena today and rightfully so, but for him, the thing that counts the most is maintaining his honesty, authenticity and integrity. Those are the qualities that have steered Zito's career since the beginning and continue to define every effort he's offered since.

    "I have nothing to hide; it seems my honesty is what people relate to most," he once told Vintage Guitar magazine. "Anders (Osborne) told me early on, 'If you don't believe what you're singing, you'll never be a good singer.' I try not to write fluff; I try to make every word count."

    Naturally, patience and perseverance have been Zito's stock and trade since the beginning. He began playing guitar at the age of five, and by the time he reached his late teens, he was already a fixture on the local St. Louis music scene. He initially released his music independently and then signed with Eclecto Groove Records in 2008. "Pearl River," the title track of his 2009 album for the label, won Song of the Year at the Blues Music Awards and marked his first collaboration with Cyril Neville, with whom he'd later work in the Royal Southern Brotherhood. A steady succession of critically acclaimed albums followed, culminating in 2011's Greyhound, which was nominated for Best Rock Blues Album at that year's Blue Music Awards ceremony in Memphis. Two years later, he signed with Ruf Records and released Gone to Texas, the story of how he gained his sobriety, offered an emotional homage to the state that left an indelible imprint on his entire life. It also marked the debut of his band, The Wheel.

    From 2010 to 2014, Zito also played an integral role in the super group of sorts, Royal Southern Brotherhood. The group released two albums and a DVD, Songs from the Road - Live in Germany, winner of the year's Blues Music Award for Best DVD. He also made his mark behind the boards by producing albums for Samantha Fish, Albert Castiglia, Ally Venable, Jeremiah Johnson, Jimmy Carpenter, and many others.

    Meanwhile, the accolades kept coming. His album, Make Blues Not War, debuted on the Billboard Blues Album Chart at number one and garnered him recognition as the 2018 Rock Blues Artist of the Year at the Blues Music Awards. First Class Life followed suit, also entering the charts at number one. Alternate Root magazine insisted that "The First Class Life that Mike Zito titles his upcoming album can be heard in the sweet sound of Blue Soul rising like heat waves from his guitar and his vocal." American Blues Scene said, "Mike Zito's return to the blues is, in a word, triumphant!" No Depression declared, "Once again, Zito has delivered the goods, a first class package with no postage due."

    Mike Zito's last CD, Quarantine Blues, was recorded during the heart of the coronavirus pandemic and served as a healing love letter to his fans around the world that heralded better days ahead if we'd all just stick together. His album prior to that was a tribute to fellow St. Louis native and rock 'n' roll legend, Chuck Berry, and featured an array of guest guitarists ranging from Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout and Eric Gales, to Robben Ford, Luther Dickinson and Sonny Landreth, as well as Berry's own grandson.

      
    Press Quotes
     

    "...when he rips it up he really has an extra gear to raise the temperature with. Zito is a superb guitarist." Andy Snipper Music News

    "I love Mike Zito! He's got that rare kinda voice that resonates in your soul. All his hardship, life experiences and kind heart oozes out of every note his sings. His guitar playing dances delicately between a contemporary blues virtuoso and an old fashioned soul man. Mike continues to impress me with his straightforward and honest songwriting. His joy and grace shine through every record he makes." Anders Osborne

    "The end of this magnificent set brought a deserved standing ovation that demanded an encore but curfew time was fast approaching so just time for the trio to really rip it up, press the accelerator firmly to the floor and whip out one last time. The backline pushing out the throbbing pulsating groove and Zito firing off a filthy solo with heavy reverb, echo and sustain creating an absolute maelstrom of sound. I love this dude he is undoubtedly one of the most authentic Blues men on the circuit and he pours every ounce of himself into the performance. Align that with his dazzling fretwork, particularly the slide guitar where for me he sits right alongside Derek Trucks as the finest exponents of this art." Nigel Foster - Bluesmatters Magazine

      

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    Photo credit: Per Ole Hagen
      

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    Movinmusic is taking offers for Mike Zito. Interested venue owners & promoters can contact us about his availability via e-mail or 0044 (0)1209 860067.

     

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