2014 Blues Hall Of Fame Inductees, and winners of the Northeast Blues Society's 2008 "Colossal Contender" performance competition, Blues Sanctuary has been wowing audiences with their infectious Chicago style blues in a few different incarnations since 2002. Starting out as a three piece group featuring great friends, longtime blues veteran Rick Burgess on lead vocal and guitar, Ken Pallman on drums,and Jeff Bentley on bass.The band gained an immediate following, and released an independent well received live cd, Live At JC's. For some time the group had been trying to recruit the very hot keyboard player,Joe Candal. Finally Joe agreed, came onboard, and the band truly came to life!! After a little time, Blues Sanctuary added a second guitar player to allow Rick the freedom to be the great frontman and harp player he is. The first guitar player added, was at the time Albany, New York's "Wunderkind Bluesmaster" Matt Mirable.When Matt left the group to pursue his own solo project, the incomperable and always soulful Greg Bird came on board.Shortly there after, Jeff decided to depart from the group. In need of a bass player, Ken thought to try to recruit area bassist and vocalist extrordinaire, Bruce Mariani. Bruce is not only a great musician,but a joy to be around with his nonstop infectiously upbeat and positive attitude! The group finally felt and sounded truly incredible and complete!!!          As the 2008 "CC" winners, Blues Sanctuary had proudly represented the Northeast Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN on February 4th and 5th, 2009(and frankly tore the place up!) . The "IBC" is the largest gathering of blues bands in the world, drawing the best in blues from the four corners of the globe. Bands from Memphis to Australia, from Paris to London, from New York to LA and everywhere in between meet on Beale Street for three exciting days of competition, jams, jive, drinks and who knows what else!!          When Greg left the band in late 2009, the band was looking for a guitarist  that not only played great, but fit into the "family" they had become. Fortunately, we received a call from John O'Rourke, a seasoned, spectacular player who had relocated to the area from New York City. John had seen the group play, and asked if he could sit in at a show. Reluctantly, unknowing of his master talents, the band said yes. Boy were the members shocked and awed with his talent, articulate picking, and original phrasing. Obviously the band unanimously voted John in!!!          Blues Sanctuary features the classic blues voice and harp of Rick Burgess, the stunning keyboards of Joe Candal, and seasoned New York City axe-man John O'Rourke tearing it up on one of his classic custom shop guitars. Building the foundation for "The Sanctuary" with the soaring vocals and bass virtuosity of Bruce Mariani, and veteran drummer, blues aficionado, and founding member Ken Pallman, Blues Sanctuary serves up a delectable menu of classic and modern blues. Loved by their audiences and respected by their peers, Blues Sanctuary does live blues right....LIVE AND BLUES! .