DEBLOIS MILLEDGE BAND (dey-bloys mill-edge ba-nd), led by Miami native singer/songwriter DeBlois Milledge, combines many forms of American roots music. The band began in New York City when DeBlois and drummer/producer Danny Campbell were billed as "BEAUTY and the BEAT". The full band debuted later at the "Village Underground" when Danny called upon longtime music partners bassist/co-producer James East and renowned electric guitarist and slide player Billy Thompson. Danny, James and Billy bring their experience working with artists such as Sergio Mendez, Eric Clapton, Daniel Lanois, Randy Newman, Lionel Richie, Art Neville and Keb Mo to DeBlois' folk-rock tunes. DEBLOIS MILLEDGE BAND has been touring the country since those first shows, from stops at The Hog’s Breath Saloon in Key West to the House of Blues in Los Angeles; they have played the Maui Film Festival, the Carnival on the Mile in Miami, the Monterey Music Summit, and The Burbank International Film Festival. 2 of DeBlois' compositions are featured in the PBS documentary Escape to Dreamland. In 2001 DeBlois moved to Costa Rica where she started a surf school, picked up Spanish, and developed her song-writing and performance skills. In the States she was a Naturalist at the Biscayne Nature Center and a mentor to inner city kids, but perhaps the most influential experience outside the lines of music was when, last November, DeBlois fought for her life against double pneumonia, a complication brought on by the H1N1 flu. Her near death experience has infused her latest CD, GEMS, with an insightful look at the world around her and her eagerness to appreciate it every day.
For booking contact emorkaut@gmail.com, Elisabeth Morkaut.
DeBlois Milledge
DeBlois Milledge has played extensively on the East and West Coasts of the States as well as Central America, and the Bahamas. She is working on her fifth studio album at Proxy Studios in Oceanside, CA. Deblois plays acoustic roots music on Taylor and Stella guitars. In 2007 two of Debois' songs, "South of Okeechobee" and "Dont Blink", were chosen as part of the soundtrack for a PBS documentary called Escape to Dreamland about the history of the Tamiami Trail (the legendary road built through the swamps of the Everglades connecting Miami and Tampa). She has provided support for the acclaimed folk rock band America.
Danny Campbell
Drummer Danny Campbell is a Southern California native. In addition to a busy schedule at home of recording and local gigs Danny tours regularly with DEBLOIS MILLEDGE BAND, WILLIE & THE LOCOS (violinist Willie Royal of "WILLIE & LOBO", Bill MacPherson on guitar and virtuoso bassist David Curtis) and MacPherson's afro-jazz fusion band, NATIVE VIBE. Danny has had the opportunity to play with: Billy Thompson Band with Daryl Johnson and Ivan Neville, Leo Nocentelli of “The Meters”, Daniel Lanois, Aaron Embry, Lasse Helner, Peter Sprague. Danny has supported and opened for acts from Lou Rawles and Tony Bennett to Rich Little and Emmylou Harris.
James East
James has toured and recorded nationally and internationally with Lionel Richie, Laura Pausini, Toni Braxton, Patti LaBelle, James Ingram, Kevyn Leattau, Dori Caymmi, Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind & Fire and Sergio Mendes. With a passion for quality, innovation and global rythms, James East is one of the most in-demand players in the Southern California area. Other credits include Eric Clapton, Tommy Simms, David Foster, Clint Black, Celine Dion, Elton John, performances for King Bhumibol Adulya of Thailand and Christmas at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II.
Billy Thompson
Billy has performed at the Phoenix Blues Festival 1995, BB King's (Memphis), BB King Bar & Grille (New York), Los Angeles House of Blues grand opening week with Little Milton 1993,
"Impassioned singing and blazing guitar work" -Los Angeles Times