About Frank

 

Frank Fotusky plays Acoustic Blues in the style reminiscent of the great East Coast "Piedmont" players such as Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Boy Fuller, John Jackson, Blind Willie McTell to name a few. A majority of his material is culled from the '20's, '30's and '40's and Acoustic Blues and Guitar Rags are the foundation of his music. Along with this repertoire, his original compositions are rooted in this era and still carry a contemporary feel. East coast or "Piedmont Blues," as it is so often called, consists of sophisticated syncopation with fingerpicked guitar. The result is a sound that resembles that of the ragtime piano. 

Frank has performed with Virginia Bluesman John Jackson, Paul Geremia, Roy Book Binder, Hubert Sumlin and has been festival headliner in his own right. BLUES ACCESS has said, "(Frank) offers a sparkling guitar sound on fine Piedmont-style blues and rags....Fotusky's clean fingering draws you in and projects the music, which would be somber in other hands, out." In the fall of 1999, Frank released his first CD "TEASIN' THE FRETS" to widespread critical acclaim.BLUES REVUE stated, "Thirteen heartfelt cuts...played and sung with care and emotion." Tom Olson from the Blues Connection said, "Frank understands and plays the music authentically," and BIG CITY BLUES offered, "This is a player that would be welcomed on any porch, front or back!"

Has appeared with and/or performed with: 

 John Jackson 
Roy Book Binder 
Paul Geremia 
Steve Mann 
Will Scarlett 
Buddy Guy 
Dale Miller 
Paul Rishell 
Taj Mahal 
Bonnie Raitt 
NRBQ 
Chris Hillman 
Chris Smither 
Hubert Sumlin 
Robert Jones 
Grant Dermody 
Greg Greenway 
John Gorka 
Rob Paparozzi 
Terre Roche.....

A short list of events/venues played: 

NY State Rhythm & Blues Fest. 
NJ Folk Festival 
The Red Bank Jazz & Blues Fest. NJ 
Herndon Blues Fest. VA 
Riverhead Blues Fest. Long Island, NY 
2nd & 3rd Annual Guitarbeque, Asbury Park, NJ 
Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ 

Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, NY 
Happy Endings, Syracuse NY 
The Jalopy Theatre, Brooklyn NY 
The Next Stop Cafe, CT 
The Big Kahuna Cafe, Bridgeton ME 
St. Lawrence Arts & Community Center, Portland ME 
One Longfellow Square, Portland ME 
BLUE, Portland ME 
The Dolphin Striker, Portsmouth, NH 
Inn On The Blues, York Beach, NH 
The Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank NJ 
The Strand Theatre, Lakewood NJ 
The Stone Pony, Asbury Park NJ 
Minestreet Coffeehouse, New Brunswick NJ 
Epic Arts, Berkeley CA 
Beale St., Memphis TN