The members of Blues Dragon have been a constant on the South Florida music scene for over a decade. A real home grown find, their musical associations with each other go back over ten years. Each member having learned their craft, honed their skills with some of the finest musicians in the rock & roll and blues industry. Not only does each member share a fondness for the music they grew up on, they also have a true love for the most traditional music ever to be recorded. During their live concerts, Blues Dragon delivers their unique interpretations of early American blues and folk songs dating from the mid 1800's through the 1940's. Though most of their music is pre WWII, the band does deliver some Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, and the 1950's & 1960's sounds of Chicago blues, as well as many original songs. Whether they are sitting in kitchen chairs, or standing on the concert stage. Blues Dragon always creates a real “down home” feel while simultaneously rocking the house. With over 100 songs in their repertoire and growing, the band can keep the same audience interested night after night. Lead singer/bassist Mark J. Telesca, switches from acoustic to electric bass while telling stories and history of the land, musicians, and the lives of the people that created this music.

Blues Dragon was born on July 13, 2006 on stage at the Bamboo Room in Lake Worth, FL. There was never a rehearsal. Mark Telesca got the the call to fill in for a band that cancelled. He was already playing in a duo that did pre WWII blues with guitarist “Big Dog” Mike Hundley. They had called in a couple of friends, did the gig, and the band was born. Blues Dragon started booking some local gigs immediately. They also started using several different drummers. Rico Geragi  on some gigs and Fred Weng on other gigs. It was only a matter of time before they started playing with two drummers. Both Rick and Fred, being accomplished musicians, the use of drums and percussion really gave Blues Dragon a different vibe than most other local blues bands. 

The band is influenced by many genres of music. first and foremost there is the blues. All the guys in the band grew up on Classic Rock. Rico brings in all kinds of different Latin Grooves. Rev. Tony Monaco is influenced by the great Hammond B-3 pioneer Jimmy Smith. Big Dog Mike comes from more of a hard rock background. Mark’s Songwriting is influenced by storytelling blues and well as bands like the Doors, The Dead, Black Crowes, etc. Fred who is by far the most educated member of the band plays 14 different instruments and is influenced by everything from Classical music to modern music. 

a unique musical experience

Do not be fooled by the name, this is not your typical blues band. Blues Dragon is a truly unique musical experience that takes the most common of things and makes it different. Not only does each  member share a fondness for the music they grew up on, they also have a true love for the most traditional music ever to be recorded. Do not be fooled by the name, this is not your typical blues band. Blues Dragon is a truly unique musical experience that takes the most common of things and makes it different. Blues Dragon is currently getting ready for their trip to Memphis. They are the winners of the South Florida Blues Society IBC and will proudly be competing in Memphis in February 2012. They are also laying down some pre-production tracks in the studio. They will start working on their new CD soon after they return from Memphis. You can expect a couple of surprises will be in store for sure. We are going hopefully going to get Tony Monaco to play guitar on some stuff. We are planning to use some more double bass on the next recording. We are thinking about recording the rhythm tracks live.

Everyone in Blues Dragon loves to be creative. We push each other to become better musicians. We truly just love playing and creating music together. There are no limits in this band. Each member brings in whatever instruments they like. The jams we do are completely spontaneous. Unlike a lot of other bands, Blues Dragon is about the guys in the band and giving each member a creative outlet. “We guess are just lucky that there are a lot of folks that dig what we do.” said Telesca.

I think the internet in some has leveled the playing field for a lot of bands and musicians. Blues Dragon for one would probably be just another local band that would fade into obscurity if it wasn’t for the internet. There really is no music industry in So. Florida. The exception is Miami, but you probably have to be doing some type of latin music. So the internet and the technological advances that have been made in home studio/recording allows a lot of musicians, bands  and songwriters gives them a chance to get in the game. Blues Dragon falls into that category.

For right now The internet has been a positive experience for everyone making music as well as listening to music. We are no longer “spoon-fed”  and are being told what is cool and what one should listen to. It really gives an individual the freedom of choice. I think the more an artist needs to do as much as they can do on their own. It is difficult and time consuming. But the more control you have over your own career, the better off you will be in the long  run.

Metro Music Mayhem is wishing for a BIG win from Blues Dragon in the IBC held in Memphis....
Expect to see hear a lot about this fire breathing blues monster coming up

BURNT IT UP BOYS!!