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After recording and playing separately for more than 45 years,
Mike Ballantyne and Rick Van Krugel have joined forces
to form the vibrant, and dynamic, ragtime blues duo The Hokum Steamers.
These seasoned entertainers deliver good-time, authentic and definitive renditions of 1920s & 1930s ragtime blues,
hokum, jug band songs and gospel, and give their songs historical place, time and context.
It’s great fun, and wholesome music, suitable for all.
Mike accompanies his warm, rich, bass-baritone voice with dexterous playing of both 6 and 12-string guitars;
Rick is a master musician who plays a wide variety of mandolins. He also sings, interjects and plays guitar.
Listen to the Steamers new CD,
“Doing The Cater Street Shimmy”
14 great tracks, all public domain, all appropriate for air play.
Available for download at:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thehokumsteamers
Or buy the CD directly from the source ($20):
Contact us
And check us out on YouTube.
Good-time music recreated from the street and medicine show musicians of the 20’s & 30’s.
When circumstances allow, the Hokum Steamers are either augmented by, or feature Carter Bannerman who sings, interjects, and plays mandolin, mandola, tenor banjo and guitar.
But, first things first: HOKUM has various meanings, not all of which are suitable in describing our music. With The Hokum Steamers, it refers mainly to types of ragtime blues and other songs.
We also sing early gospel songs — great music that is great to share with singing audiences.
The Steamers repertoire is taken from the early blues men and women, such as:
Will Shade’s Memphis Jug Band; Gertrude “Ma” Rainey
Luke Jordan; Lillie Mae
Frank Stokes; Bo Carter
Papa Charlie Jackson; Jelly Roll Morton,
Blind Willie Johnson; Hattie Hudson,
Hezekiah Jenkins; Sam Collins, and others.
For many of the songs that the Hokum Steamers play see the songs listed in Transcribed Lyrics
in the left nav. bar.
‡ A NOTE TO GUITARISTS: Drop us a line if you need any of the guitar chords.
UPCOMING APPEARANCES
Coffeehouse on Gabriola
The Haven (in the dining room),
Gabriola Island, B.C.,
Friday, March 29th 2013
Open Stage 7:30, Feature 9:00
“The Vault” Bistro, Nanaimo,
499 Wallace Street,
Nanaimo, B.C.,
Saturday, March 30th, 2013
7:00 to 9:00,
Presented by:
“The Troubador” House Concert Series
Tel: (250) 591–2275
This page last modified: March the 14th 2013
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