Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames / Members

Harry Yaseem

Pianist

Piano and Vocals studied under Art Hodes Studied Latin and Ballroom Dancing at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore - Sede Di RomaPast: University of Iceland and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Lives in Chicago, Illinois From Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles · Lived in Budapest, Hungry

Kenny Pickens

Bassist

Formerly with the Junior Wells and Buddy Guy Band! Well known all over Chicago as the man with the bass in your face!

Jeff Taylor

Drummer Vocalist Songwriter

Jeff Taylor (Drums/Vocals)is well known and well respected. Born in 1960 in Chicago, IL. They say he came out singing. At 11 he joined the "Little Angels" group to sing and after that he sang and played drums for Top Hat, vouching for Jeff to get into clubs at a young age, working South and West side of Chicago, including The Sabre Room, where Jeff met and played with Dizzy Gilespie, Cab Caloway, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Count Basie and Tony Bennet. He then freelanced starting with Smilin Bobby, Tyrone Davis, the Dells, the Chilites, Lonnie Brooks, AC Reed, Eddy Clearwater, Artie White, Junior Wells, and more. Longtime band member only leaving at one time for three years with the Rythm and Blues Kings then back with Dave presently for 18 years.

Monica Myhre (Mona Rose)

Percussionist Songwriter Vocalist

Monica Myhre(Mona Rose) Musician (Vocalist/piano/harp) songwriter,Rami winner, born in Ottawa, IL but raised in Rockford where she was known as a child prodigy singer. Performing at the Hidalgo Club in Rockford, IL from the age of six through her teens, backing up stars from Mexico, and fronting local jazz musicians. Her family training, church choir, led her to numerous bands from Mexican, R&B, Funk, Rock and Blues. She was a member of the Crossroads Blues Society and among the co-founders of the first Blues in The Schools program in Rockford and organizing several benefits for musicians and families in need. She truly developed into Blues Diva joining Dave Weld's band where she Co-writing many songs with Dave Weld and became known for her originals, "Listen to Mama", "Talk Dirty" or classic blues. Completing the band package with diva blues and harmony. Quoted for her strong sultry voice where ever she performs "Monica takes the lead vocal on her original tune “Talk Dirty” with a kittenish growl and unabashed enthusiasm as she begs “talk dirty, talk, talk, dirty to me!” If you liked classic Lou Anne Barton, give Monica Myhre a listen. This girl’s got chops and she’s sober! Monica displays spot-on intonation, great phrasing and a dose of moxy that makes this song more than just cheesecake…. Chicago Blues Guide

Dave Weld

Guitarist Vocalist Musician Songwriter

Dave Weld born in Chicago, he was first influenced as a child when he found an old Victrola in the basement and wore out the blues 78's. He moved to New Mexico, and studied guitar under Kurt Black, a jazz player who worked with Benny Carter, Grant in the NY jazz scene. Dave also met and jammed with Gatemouth Brown. Weld drawn back to Chicago after hearing Howlin Wolf on the radio and found that he was welcome on the West side of Chicago (black hood). He started sitting in at many clubs and landed a gig with Hound Dog Taylor's band, Brewer Phillips,Ted Harvey, at Sweet Peas on 43rd St. Philips and Harvey had been working with JB Hutto after Hound Dog's death, and came back to Chicago after breaking off with JB in Boston. Weld then moved on to the 1815 Club on W. Roosevelt, which was owned and operated by Eddie Shaw who had Howlin Wolf's band, the Wolf Pack. Dave stayed there and played in the band with Chico Chism, Lafayette Gilbert, Hubert Sumlin, Detroit Junior, and Eddie Shaw. Dave played with Otis Rush, Maxwell St. Jimmy, Guitar Junior, Jew Town Burks, Doug Macdonald, Boston Blackie, Tail Dragger, Little Wolf, Big Bad Ben, Little Aurthur, Johnny Littlejohn and more. During this time Weld was under tutelage from JB Hutto, a Grammy awarded Blues Hall of Fame slide man from Georgia. He studied at JB's house and one day met his nephews Lil' Ed and James Young (Pookie), and played on the westside for ten years. Clubs such as The Casablanca, Necktie Nates, Boss Joes, The Garfield and many more. They collaborated and started the "Blues Imperials". Then Bruce Igauer from Alligator found them and recorded them in a historic session "Roughousin'" and they started doing world tours. In 1988 Dave decided to start his own band "Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames" . This band featured the most authenic seasoned blues veterans in Chicago. Such as Bernard Reed, Leo Davis, Daryl Mahon, Donny Nichilo, Mike Scharf, Vernon Rogers and Ted Harvey. They toured countless times around the world, local and national festivals and the best venues in the Midwest and the national. The band came out with their first CD "Roughrockin' in Chicago", on Blue Sting Records in Belgium, the second time they recorded for Earwig Music, "Keep on Walkin'", and the band again toured nationally and overseas. Weld's first Delmark CD "Burnin' Love" featured long time band members Abb Locke, legendary saxman. Jeff Taylor, drums and vocals, Monica Myhre (Garcia) vocals and percussion, Dave Kaye bass and Harry Yaseen, piano. His new and second CD with Delmark "Slip Int To A Dream" surpasses Weld's first one.. The new CD includes his current band members today are Jeff Taylor, Drums/Vocals, Monica Myhre (Garcia), Vocals/Percussion, Rogers Randle, Jr, Sax and Kenny Pickens, Bass.