Joel Paterson has played the Sugar Maple Fest under many monikers: The Western Elstons, Devil in a Woodpile and… well… as just Joel Paterson. Anyone who has seen him would know why; he’s just that good. 2010 will see Joel return with his newest band The Modern Sounds. This big little band is dedicated to performing traditional American music; specializing in rockabilly, hot jazz, western swing, classic blues and everything in between.

Based out of Chicago, the Modern Sounds features Joel Paterson on guitar and vocals, Beau Sample on string bass and vocals, and Alex Hall on drums and vocals. Since Paterson moved to Chicago, he performed with various bands, such as Jimmy Sutton’s Four Charms and Kelly Hogan’s Wooden Leg. Another Chicago import, slap bass virtuoso Beau Sample, toured the U.S. And world while fronting his former band Cave Catt Sammy and backing up Elana James. In addition to being a talented drummer, Chicago native Alex Hall is a recording engineer as well, as highlighted in Ventrlla Records.

The trio founded Ventrella Records in 2008, releasing three CDs since then, including “A Chicago Session” featuring boogie-woogie piano master Carl Sonny Leyland and “Steel is Real” showcasing Paterson on pedal steel guitar.

Modern Sounds plays Friday, 7:30pm.

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