Kevin Selfe

Kevin Selfe has been electrifying audiences nationwide since breaking into the blues scene in 2006. His growing stature as a captivating story teller and passionate performer are surpassed only by his deft mastery of blues guitar. Having relocated to Portland, OR, the Virginia native is now a leading light in the Pacific Northwest’s robust blues revival. Effortlessly combining the guitar traditions of the legends and the modern masters into his own unique approach, Selfe’s stylistic depth and electric performances resonate with audiences. His live shows have grown in legend largely due to his unique gift for communicating, through guitar, the complex range of moods revealed only by blues. Selfe’s songwriting style bridges the gap between joy and angst, using piercing irony, humorous metaphors, and daring autobiographical subject matter from his own occasional walks with the blues. In February 2013, Kevin Selfe signed with world renown blues label Delta Groove, and released “Long Walk Home” to rave reviews. The recording peaked at #15 on the Billboard Blues Chart, #6 on the Living Blues Radio Chart spending three months in the top 25, and was #2 on SiriusXM Radio Bluesville “Pick To Click” list. “Long Walk Home” features 11 original compositions demonstrating Selfe’s musical depth and diversity with forays into West Coast, Texas, Chicago and Delta blues, along with top-notch support by veteran blues and roots musicians including Delta Groove labelmate Mitch Kashmar on vocals and harmonica, Gene Taylor (The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Blasters) on piano, Doug James (Roomful of Blues, Jimmie Vaughan) on baritone sax, and Tornadoes Allen Markel (The Insomniacs) on bass and Jimi Bott (Fabulous Thunderbirds, Rod Piazza, The Mannish Boys) on drums. In six short years Kevin Selfe and The Tornadoes have become a fan favorite in the Northwest and beyond. In August 2013, Kevin was nominated for a Blues Blast Award, and the band was inducted into the Cascade Blues Association Hall of Fame in late 2012 . They’ve won 15 prestigious Muddy Awards from the CBA for Traditional Blues Act of The Year (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010), Contemporary Blues Act of The Year (2013, 2009), Performance of the Year (2013, 2012), Electric Guitar (2013, 2012), Drums (2013, 2012, 2011), NW Recording of The Year (2013), and National Recording of The Year (2013). They are the only act in the 25 year history of the awards to win for both Traditional and Contemporary Blues Act of the Year demonstrating their musical diversity and depth. Kevin Selfe and the Tornadoes, blues band from Portland, OR. Delta Groove and VizzTone Recording Artist, Cascade Blues Association Hall of Fame Inductee