Ramblin' Dan Stevens

blues, americana

At the young age of sixteen, Dan Stevens' romantic streak was ignited by his first guitar teacher in small town central Pennsylvania who told him stories about the lives of traveling blues musicians like Mississippi John Hurt and Fred McDowell.

As a full time professional musician since 1991, Dan continues to tour incessantly along the East Coast, U.S. Virgin Islands, U.K., Canada and Germany.

He has appeared with such artists as James Cotton, Charlie Musselwhite, Arlo Guthrie, Richie Havens, Charlie Daniels, Livingston Taylor, Ronnie Earl, and others.

Termed “Connecticut’s hardest working bluesman” by the New York Times in 2002, he plays over 200 engagements a year, including concerts, clubs, festivals, coffeehouses, community and private events and educational programs.

"Ramblin" Dan Stevens performs a mix of traditional blues, early jazz, popular favorites and originals and has entertained audiences throughout the US, Germany, UK, Canada and Virgin Islands. His unique style of "bottleneck" slide playing popularized by early bluesmen includes use of a homemade, three stringed "Cigar Box Guitar" and one stringed "Diddly Bow", both primitive blues instruments. A finalist in the International Blues Challenge on Beale St. in Memphis TN and protege of the legendary Dave Van Ronk, Dan has been lauded for the authenticity of his approach.

Fiery Band

Long a relentlessly touring solo artist, Ramblin' Dan sought out Connecticut's best and most "fiery" musicians to form the band he had long envisioned. The name for the Fiery Band was inspired by lyrics from the Gary Davis song "Light of This World" where Davis exclaims, "I got fiery fingers and I got fiery hands... When I get up to heaven I'm gonna play in the Fiery Band." The Band performs primarily upbeat acoustic and electric blues and originals from Dan's highly acclaimed four CD's plus a diverse selection of vintage popular roots music.

Rounding out the band are:

Chris "Smokin' Opey" D'Amato - Guitar
Long a fixture in the New Haven scene, "Opey" is recognized as one of the top guitarists in the region and has shared the stage with just about every bluesman you have ever heard of.. Dan and Chris have been playing together for two decades and have honed their style to the extent that they were finalists at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN. Chris also has toured nationally with Debbie Davies.

Steve Sigel - Fiddle
Steve Sigel's day job is Executive Director of the Garde Arts Theatre in New London but he is also a classically trained virtuoso violinist. His unique sensibility on fiddle adds a unique flavor to the sound of the Fiery Band.

Adam Anderson - Acoustic and Electric Bass
Adam's jazz background adds interesting colors as he lays down rock hard grooves

Todd Smith - Drums
Todd grew up as a rock drummer in the Boston area and has been playing in bands all his life.

"I have always been impressed by Dan's command of the blues, both vocally and on the guitar. A hell of an all around entertainer!".

- Dave Van Ronk, New York City

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