The Phantom Blues Band was formed as a studio band to backup Taj Mahal on his CD, "Dancin' the Blues." Having spent many years as part of the Texas blues community, the members of the Phantom Blues Band backed and recorded with many Texas blues greats including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddie King, Jimmy Reed, Albert Collins and Chicago legends Buddy Guy and Otis Rush.

The Phantom Blues Band members are all in
their own right successful session players, producers, arrangers, composers, songwriters and recording artists.

The Phantom Blues Band are two time Grammy winners and 2001 W.C. Handy Award recipients as Band Of The Year with Taj Mahal.

After circling the globe playing major Blues and Jazz Festivals in Europe, Japan and Australia with Taj Mahal, the Phantom Blues Band released their first CD, 'Limited Edition' in 2003.

In spite of their busy individual schedules, the Phantom Blues Band members are making time to do more live dates.

BAND MEMBERS:

Johnny Lee Schell (guitar and vocal) – After working with Buddy Holly producer Norman Petty in nearby Clovis New Mexico, Johnny left his home in Farwell, Texas and headed out on the road with his band, Baby. Johnny arrived in Los Angeles in the late seventies, soon touring with Bonnie Raitt and The Bump Band. Johnny has also toured with Taj Mahal, Ron Wood and John Fogerty. Johnny currently spends his time running Ultra Tone Studios where he has scored several films as well as music consulted and recorded the score for the ABC sitcom,"According to Jim." Johnny hangs out daily with Rooster, The Wonder Dog.

Mike Finnigan (organ,piano,and vocal) – Mike started playing professionally in 1964 in Kansas. He then moved to Wichita and travelled the country with The Serfs. It was during a trip to New York City that Mike recorded with Jimi Hendrix, a session that resulted in 'Electric Ladyland.' In 1972, Michael formed Finnigan and Wood. In 1975, Mike put down roots in Los Angeles where he pursued more group and solo recordings while at the same time touring and recording with Crosby, Stills and Nash, Dave Mason, Etta James, Dr. John and Carlos Santana. Mike won a W.C. Handy Award for his work with Taj Mahal.

Joe Sublett (saxophone) – Saxophonist Joe Sublett started his musical career in Austin, Texas. As part of the burgeoning Austin Blues scene, he played with Paul Ray and The Cobras, a band that featured a twenty one year old Stevie Ray Vaughan. After five years of touring and backing many Blues greats, Joe moved to Los Angeles, soon forming The Texacali Horns with trumpet player, Darrell Leonard. Joe won a Grammy and a W.C. Handy Award for his work with Taj Mahal and has worked with The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Little Feat, and B.B. King. The Texacali Horns released a CD in 2003.

Denny Freeman (guitarist)– Denny started his career in Dallas, Texas playing in blues and rock and roll bands. In 1974, Denny, along with vocalist Paul Ray, founded The Cobras, a band in which he shared lead guitar duties with Stevie Ray Vaughan. After eight years touring the country with The Cobras, Denny went on to tour and record with Angela Straehli, Jimmy Vaughan, and Taj Mahal. Denny released three solo albums and since finishing his tenure with Taj Mahal has toured extensively in Southern California and Texas with his own band. Denny is currently on tour with Bob Dylan. He is a Grammy and W.C. Handy Award winner.

Larry Fulcher (bass and vocal) – Larry was born in Houston, Texas and soon began his musical career singing in church at the tender age of five. At age thirteen, Larry moved to Southern California and began playing in bands at fifteen. Larry went on to record with Smokey Robinson and The Crusaders and during the eighties toured and recorded (keyboards and guitar) with many reggae artists, including The Wailers,Third World and Andrew Tosh. He was also a featured vocalist on the Emmy Award winning ABC-TV series, 'I'll Fly Away' and won a Grammy and W.C.Handy Award for his work with Taj Mahal.

Darrell Leonard (trumpet) – Darrell arrived in Los Angeles in 1968 and was soon touring and recording with Delaney and Bonnie and Dr. John, Little Feat, Glen Frey and Taj Mahal. He has worked as a studio Musician with Henry Mancini, the Rolling Stones, and Solomon Burke among others. Darrell's work as an arranger and composer for film and theatre include music for 'The Divine Secrets of "The YaYa Sisterhood" and "Cold Mountain". He has worked at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre and his most recent work, the score for the play "Carter's Way" which had its world premire at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, captured the sound and feel of Kansas City during the 1930's. Darrell is a Grammy and W.C. Handy Award winner for his work with Taj Mahal.

Tony Braunagel (drummer) – Tony started playing in Houston, Texas in the mid-sixties eventually making his way to England where he worked as studio drummer for Island Records. In the early eighties Tony moved to Los Angeles where he found work touring and recording with the likes of Eric Burdon, Rickie Lee Jones, Bette Midler and Bonnie Raitt. In 2000 after several years of touring with Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band, Tony produced the Grammy Award winning "Shoutin' in Key" and has recently produced Eric Burdon's new CD "Soul of Man." Tony is also a W.C. Handy Award winner.