Page 34 - BiTS_01_JANUARY_2022

LL: What music were you exposed to while growing up?

BL: A little bit of everything! My pops loved blues guitar, so I had a heavy dose of the three kings,
and my mom loves 80’s/90’s R&B.

LL: When did you first start playing music and on what instruments?

BL: I started taking piano lessons with my mentor Ricky Nye when I was eight years old. Ricky
really got me into piano blues, like Otis Spann and Memphis Slim. He is still a great mentor and
friend to me to this day.

LL: When did you first start playing on stage? How did that come about?

BL: I first sat in with my dad’s band at a local bar when I was 11. He had been playing at this bar for
years and I was showing interest in starting to
gig. The really cool thing was his bass player has
a son also my age who was learning drums, so

the band was fathers and sons.

LL: You are currently a college student! Do
your studies contribute to you as a Blues
artist?

BL: I am a student at the University of

Cincinnati studying history. My focus is on black
American history, and I’ve been interviewing
elder musicians of blues, jazz, and soul.

LL: Let’s talk about your new release with
your father Aron Levin titled Still Here. Please
tell us your concept and vision for the album,

and what it’s like doing an album with your
father?

BL: This album was inspired by what my father and my family went through this time last year. My
dad had a severe case of Covid, and almost passed away. As soon as he began to heal in the hospital
and I was able to visit, we started planning the next album. He came up with song ideas from the
hospital bed before he could walk again.

When he finally came home and we were able to play music together again, I realized how precious

it is to share the stage with my father, and I’ll never take it for granted again. Recording in the
studio with him solidifies the bond that we share on record.

LL: And what about the musicians who performed on Still Here?

BL: It’s myself on piano/vocals, my dad Aron Levin on guitar, Chris Douglas on bass, and Oscar
Bernal on drums.

LL: What’s the pandemic been like for you?

BL: It has been extremely tough, especially my father’s battle with COVID. I’m trying to keep my
head up and stay positive, but some days are harder than others. Continuing to gig and record
music is really the only thing that has pulled me through these last few years.