Saturday Night in Mesa: Cold Shott and the Hurricane Horns at the Superstition Springs Center Outdoor Amphitheater

Tonight we caught a really nice show put on by Cold Shott and the Hurricane Horns at the outdoor amphitheater at the Superstition Springs Mall, the first of this summer's Superstition Springs Concert Series.

It was great to hear old-school blues for a change, and the Cold Shott and the Hurricane Horns put on a fine show.

From the band's promo material:

COLD SHOTT and THE HURRICANE HORNS started in Phoenix, AZ in 1990, as the 3-piece “COLD SHOT BLUES BAND” and is celebrating its 20 Year Anniversary in 2011.The band evolved, under the leadership of founder Ted Kowal (bass, manager) to become a powerful mainstay in the Arizona R&B, Blues, Funk and Soul music circuits. Adding a horn section and a formal name change to the band in 1991, COLD SHOTT and THE HURRICANE HORNS performs regularly at local clubs, community and municipal festivals, as well as music showcases and concerts. . . This 8-piece group boasts a rocking rhythm section, powerful vocals and a 3-piece horn section.

The band features many veteran Arizona musicians most of whom have performed professionally since the 1960’s, not only in Arizona but all across the United States. Winning the 1999 Phoenix Blues Society Annual Blues Showdown sent the band to Memphis, TN to represent Arizona in the International Blues Challenge. The band was also chosen as the Year 2000 “Best Blues Band” as awarded by The Arizona Republic. They have opened up for or backed notable artists such as Delbert McClinton, Jerry Lawson, Guitar Shorty, Chico Chisum and Little Milton. 2010 saw them open for both Eddie Money and The Robert Cray Band and as an opening act for Curtis Salgado and The Tommy Castro Band in 2011.

Here is Al "Smiley" Hernandez of The Hurricane Horns jamming on the Carlos Santana classic "EUROPA" at the 2010 Glendale Jazz and Blues Fest, April 17, 2010. And here is Cold Shott and The Hurricane Horns tearing it up at the same event, with Tim Finn on lead vocals. Tonight's show featured some numbers that were just as good.

It was a pleasant evening outdoors after a few really hot days, with yesterday's record 111 degrees.

We're grateful we got to see Cold Shott and the Hurricane Horns tonight.