The Skyla Burrell Blues Band will perform at 10 p.m. Saturday at Rumrunner's Pub and Eatery, 341 Market St. The band formed in 2001 when guitarist and vocalist Skyla Burrell and Mark Tomlinson, lead guitarist, met at a blues bar.
"We were both in other bands," Burrell said. "We fell in love and decided to join forces in music as well."
The two joined Ezell Jones on drums and Michelle Lucas on bass to form the rest of the band.
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The band has kept a busy schedule, playing 465 shows in two years and releasing their debut studio album, "Working Girl Blues," in 2004. Since then they've released three other albums, "Livin' Day to Day," "Tough Luck" and most recently, "Real Love," in 2011. A track off of "Tough Luck" was picked up by CBS for the show "The Bridge." They also were a 2012 Blues Hall of Fame inductee.
Burrell said the band's show is high-energy and full of all original songs.
"We play all original, high-energy blues - from Chicago blues with thick double shuffles, to West Coast-style swing and jump blues," she said.
Burrell fell in love with the blues when she was 19 and has been hooked ever since. She also has been involved with music since she was young.
"From the time I can remember, music was what engaged my mind, heart and soul," she said.
Originally from California, Burrell began her first band at 13 and never stopped. She even crossed over into the television realm, appearing on NBC's "Wings."
Playing gigs at the age of 15, Burrell has had the opportunity to play all over, including the Netherlands.
She's found that her most memorable moments are the unexpected ones, including a standing ovation at the Daytona Blues Festival last year.
She takes inspiration from the great kings of blues, BB King, Albert King and Freddie King. She also believes in the staying power of blues, as opposed to more modern music.
"I think because in the blues, there is true beauty in the emotion," Burrell said. "No one is looking for perfection, people look for connections in the blues and they connect to the intent of the music rather than the perfection of the auto-tune pop stuff."
With a stage presence that is captivating, Burrell rocks sassy dresses and high heels, all while rocking out on the guitar. "I am a bit of a freakshow like that - the heels never bother me, I am more clumsy in my flats. I've always been like that," she said.
In 2013, The Skyla Burrell Blues Band will be releasing their fifth studio album and touring. For more information on the band, search for "Skyla Burrell Blues Band" on Facebook.
