Bringing talent from throughout the Huntington area, Cadillac Moon, a Long Island blues band, will perform at the fourth annual Riverhead Blues Festival Saturday, July 20 at 4:30 p.m.
Just months after releasing Its new album, Blue Moon Rhythm, the band is preparing for the Riverhead festival by performing gigs throughout Long Island.
"They worked for it," said band manager Ray Hornosky . "They've been trying to get into the festival for about three years."
The six-piece band is made up of mostly Huntington residents. Lead singer Leslie Zimei, of Fort Salonga, Frank Ferrara, of Northport, Neville L'Greene, of Centerport, Mike Nugent and Cliff Hackford of Huntington, and Mark Mancini of Glen Cove, make up Cadillac Moon and its blues groove.
Mr. Nugent started Cadillac Moon about 12 years ago. Though he and Mr. Hackford are the only two original band members, Mr. Nugent said the band has evolved over the years and become a symbol of great blues music.
This year's release of Blue Moon Rhythm is the third album release for the band, but the first with this set of musicians. It contains ten original blues songs and two covers. The album, which can be purchased for $l2 plus shipping and handling at www.cadillacmoon.com or www.cdbaby.com, features tracks including Don't Make Me Wonder, Back To The Neighborhood, Hurricane and Mardi Gras in New York.
"Cadillac Moon brings their exciting, original brand of funkin' blues to the stage," a band flier said. "Their style is about laying down the funky groove. The material is derived from the heart of New York, New Orleans, St. Louis, Chicago and Austin, Texas and is punctuated by the intertwining of the two guitars, an amazing horn section, stirring up the greasy blues riffs with their tasty arrangements."
In addition to playing the Riverhead Blues Festival, Cadlllac Moon performed last year during a trip to lower Manhattan to play for the recovery workers at Ground Zero October 25, 2001. Other appearances include the Bethpage State Park Summer Concerts Series, Huntington Fall Fair, the Oyster Festival In Oyster Bay, East Islip Fire Department Carnival and various clubs including the Triad Theater and Delta Grill In New York City, Wild Rose in Bridgehampton, Old Homestead In Oyster Bay, Paula Jean's in Port Jefferson, Diggers in Riverhead , Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett and Chesterfield's In Huntington.
In addition to performing in clubs and at festivals, the band also performs at corporate parties. Cadillac Moon recently booked a gig for the Lehman Brothers summer barbecue In Manhattan.
"I feel like I've progressed being a blues singer, " said Ms. Zimei, who previously performed in rock n' roll bands. "I never was into the blues as deep as I am now. It was really an awakening to me that this is what I am supposed to do. It is a great form of expression for me."
Cadillac Moon will perform next at Chesterfield's at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, August 31 and Saturday, September 29. They will also play at the Huntington Fall Fair between 12:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. Saturday, October 12. For bookings call Mr. Hornosky at 754- 3887 or the Cadillac Moon hotline at 424-8719.
