Gaetano Letizia – Guitarist, Song Writer, Vocalist
Gaetano, also known as Tom, was born in Cleveland in 1951. He began performing his own blues shows at the age of 16. One of his first stage appearances was with the James Gang, sitting in for Joe Walsh at his Alma Mater, Kent State in 1970. Since then, he’s performed all over the U.S. along with Europe and Asia.
Early performances with June Core of Robert Jr. Lockwood’s band, gave Gaetano a strong blues foundation based on B.B. King, Albert King, Muddy Waters and all the great blues patriarchs.
Producer of ten blues and jazz guitar CD’s, Gaetano has received stellar reviews in Downbeat, Guitar Player and many national/international publication and his music has been played on radio stations in every state as well as most foreign countries.
The Underworld Band is Gaetano’s blues trio formed in 2010 and now beginning to tour the U.S. with plans for European and Asian tours in the works. The band won the Cleveland Blues Society’s 2014 Memphis Challenge and did four great shows in Memphis. The Underworld Band plays creative blues shows that audiences love and will remember. The band has two excellent CD’s, Voodoo Doll & Other Blues Lessons (2014) and Resurrection (2016).
Described as “a guitarist’s guitarist” and a “virtuoso” by music critics, Gaetano’s music stays true to the roots of blues while advancing the standard blues forms to delight the listener. “A new take on the blues” describes Gaetano’s treatment of modern blues problems in our lives now that we’re far from sharecropping in Mississippi. With blazing electric solos, red hot slide playing and nylon string guitar, listeners will be treated to a fun style of blues rock combined with funk and R&B that grooves and makes you move. The guitar playing is top shelf and the performances are high energy, audience oriented fun.
Michael D’Elia – Drummer, Vocalist
Born in Canton, Ohio in 1953, Mike started playing drums professionally at the age of 8and toured nationally with various groups in his teens. Mike is the “go to” drummer for almost all the Cleveland based groups not only because he is a dynamic vocalist, but because he is a great drummer whose powerful groove and solos drive audiences wild. Known affectionately as “Daddy Sweet Roll”, Mike is loved by his thousands of music fans and everyone who meets this great lifetime blues rock musician.
Lenny Gray – Bassist
A Cleveland native born in 1950, Lenny started playing drums at 10 years old and switched to bass to play in R&B bands in 1966. Nephew of Slide Hampton, Lenny’s family is loaded with professional musicians, family reunions are big jam sessions. Lenny’s style is based in blues and jazz, heavy on the groove side. A Victor Wooten student and disciple, Lenny pops with the best and swings with all the rest.