Baza celebrates the tradition of the harmonica and guitar duo playing the blues of
the 1920s through the 1940s. They perform the music of early blues artists from
the rich fertile region of the Mississippi Delta to the low rolling hills of the East
Coast Piedmont. They play this music with deep respect, affection and
authenticity.
Baza is Doug Philbrook, guitar, vocals and foot percussion and Geof “Goody”
Goodell, harmonica and vocals.
Doug's guitar journey began as a teenager playing in rock bands in his
hometown, Nashua, NH. In 1981, after relocating to Los Angeles, CA, he attended
and earned a performance degree from the Musician's Institute in Hollywood.
Returning home to the East coast, far from the land where the blues began, he
was introduced to this great roots music through the recordings of Delta blues
icon and musician, Robert Johnson. Soaking in the polyrhythmic sounds and
the “tough living” lyrical poetry of the music, he was hooked.
Doug's playing on National Steel resonator guitars employs a variety of blues
tunings, picking and bottleneck styles. His vocals are emotive and evocative
of the classic blues howlers.
Geof's musical journey kicked off playing trumpet in grade school on into Jr High
School and High School band in his hometown of Auburn, Maine. After
graduating he found himself backpacking through Europe and England soaking
up the culture and music of those countries. He developed a keen sense of
melody listening to a variety of styles of music, including jazz, swing, bluegrass,
blues and rock. His affair with the harmonica began after hearing greats like
John Mayall and Paul Butterfield.
Geof's harmonica style is melodic, rhythmic, uplifting and down right “funky.” His
solo voice passionate and vocal harmonies “spot on.”
Together as Baza, Doug and Geof conjure the sounds of the “Deep Blues” with
wailing harmonica, sharp vocal harmonies and driving steel guitar rhythms. They
play songs of hard living, love, loss and celebration. They create a picture of the
blues through the song and stories of its pioneers. Their performances are
informative, educational, musical and fun and leave their audiences satisfied and
true blues converts
