The Octavia Blues Band

Octavia’s two Great Aunts sang for the Czar and Czarina of Russia. Cousin Mark Mostovoy was conductor & founder of Philadelphia’s Concerto Soloists and cousins Stephanie Greenberg & Laurie Sonsino are professional classical musicians. Octavia’s mother Sylvia was a concert pianist at the age of twelve. Octavia’s early exposure to artists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, and the Motown family often influence what Octavia brings to her outstanding stage show, originals and recordings. Octavia was born and raised in Philadelphia. Her first stage experience was at the age of five. Octavia’s journey with music began in 1963 with the guitar. Influenced by Bob Dylan she purchased her first harmonica in 1966. She attended Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts majoring in sculpture and painting but her passion for live performance dominated her path. During an Etta James concert at the Keystone in Berkeley, Etta heard a few notes from Octavia’s harmonica and handed her the mic. Following the show Etta asked Octavia to join her tour. During the next several years, after touring with Etta, Octavia continued playing harmonica guitar and singing with a wide variety of bands across the U.S. and in Europe. Other notable artists Octavia performed with are The Allman Brothers Band, Freddy King, The Funky Meters, Gil Scott-Heron and The Iguanas. Since the mid 80’s Octavia has fronted her own band. After forming Octavia & The Earthblood Blues Band in the early 90′s Octavia and her band opened for B.B. King, Taj Mahal, Mavis Staples, Dr. John, Delbert McClinton, Elvin Bishop, The Muddy Waters Blues Band, Shamika Copeland, and Jeffrey Gaines. Venues Octavia performed at across the United States, Great Britain and Canada include The Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, House Of Blues in Atlantic City, The World Café Live in Philadelphia, B.B. King’s Club in NYC, Bimbo’s in San Francisco, Ebbits Field in Denver, The Cambridge Folk Festival in the U.K., Buddy Guy’s Legend’s and Kingston Mines, Chicago, Buscuit & Blues Seattle WA, Kings Palace, Silky O’Sullivan, W.C. Handy Park, and Blues City on Beale Street in Memphis, The Village Underground, Cafe Wha and Ashford and Simpson’s Sugar Bar in New York and Festival International Du Blues De Tremblant, in Montreal… just to name a few. In the Octavia Blues performance you will hear strong and exciting vocals and harmonica. Octavia’s fourth album A Touch Of Wisdom, a singer songwriter CD was recently released. Drawing on the success of her critically acclaimed album “Down In The Hollow” along with a lifetime of experience performing the blues that drive this woman. The Octavia Blues Band is in the print phase of her fifth album, all originals entitled: It Ain't What You Get, It's What You Give Back to back high energy blues originals & covers from the heart. Wicked harp soulful vocals hot guitar leads throbbing bass & drivin' drums.