Rick Estrin
Rick Estrin
Rick Estrin & the Nightcats are an American four-piece electric blues band (formed in 2008 after the dissolution of Little Charlie & The Nightcats, of which three of the band were members), consisting of harmonicist/lead vocalist and songwriter Rick Estrin, guitarist Kid Andersen, bassist Lorenzo Farrell, and drummer and songwriter J. Hansen.
The band’s upcoming album, "You Asked For It—Live!", will be released on the Chicago-based independent blues record label Alligator Records on July 8, 2014. The album features original Estrin songs dating back to his days as lead singer, songwriter and harmonica player of Little Charlie & The Nightcats (featuring Little Charlie Baty on guitar). Rick Estrin & The Nightcats released their debut recording "Twisted" in 2009 and "One Wrong Turn" in 2012, both on Alligator Records.
Rick Estrin won the 2013 Blues Music Award for Best Instrumentalist–Harmonica in 2013. He won the 1994 Blues Music Award for Song Of The Year for his composition "My Next Ex-Wife". He has written songs for other musicians. Three of his songs appear on Grammy-nominated albums: “Don’t Put Your Hands On Me” (on Koko Taylor’s "Force Of Nature"), “I’m Just Lucky That Way” (on Robert Cray’s "Shame + A Sin"), and “Homely Girl” (on John Hammond’s "Trouble No More."
Estrin was born in San Francisco, California in 1949, and fell in love with blues after his sister presented him with Ray Charles’ "The Genius Sings The Blues" when he was 12. He began playing harmonica at age 15, and by age 18 was beginning to work professionally. Early in his career, he played with Lowell Fulson, Z.Z. Hill, Travis Phillips, and Fillmore Slim.
Estrin names Sonny Boy Williamson II, Little Walter Jacobs, and Baby Boy Warren as key inspirations. He played with and was mentored by Rodger Collins (whose 45rpm recordings include "She’s Looking Good" and "Foxy Girls" In Oakland). Estrin moved to Chicago when he was 19 and worked with bluesmen Sam Lay, Johnny Littlejohn, Eddie Taylor, and Johnny Young. He met and sat in with Muddy Waters at the Sutherland Hotel in Chicago. He met guitarist Charlie Baty in 1973 and they created Little Charlie & The Nightcats based in Sacramento, CA.
Estrin fronted Little Charlie & The Nightcats for 30 years and performed around the world. They were nominated four times for the Blues Music Award for Band Of The Year. In 2008, Baty retired from touring. Guitarist Kid Andersen joined Estrin and previous band members Hansen and Farrell and they formed Rick Estrin & The Nightcats that same year.
Estrin performed at the Chicago Blues Festival in 2011 as part of the Alligator Records 40th-anniversary concert.
(Rick Estrin at 4th Annual Poconos Blues Festival 1995)