The Blue in Blues band, the first sicilian blues band ever, was born in Catania in 1987, from an idea of Massimo Garrubba, guitar and bass player and also the historical leader of the group.
From the beginning, the Blue in Blues customize blues classics (complying with the old traditions of course!) and compose their own songs, which is not easy if you look at the nowadays varied and contaminated world of music.
During the first years they devoted themselves to this gorgeous musical activity, many other talented musicians, one by one, looking for a steady job, joined the band and improved the group way of playing. Now that the Blue in Blues are a definitively complete blues band , they do their best and all their performances are a continuous great success!
In fact in live performances, moments of intense musical excitement and moving blues stories follow one another and catch the public fancy, as each spectator is often carried away by the great scenic and sonorous “verve” of the Blue in Blues! Glamorous events have seen this fantastic band slowly coming up along the years.
Through played in countless striking evening musical performances and italian blues festivals, backing up or opening their concerts many internationally famous blues & soul artists: Herbie Goins, Chicken Shack, Guido Toffoletti, Michael Allen, Nick Becattini, Deitra Farr, Chicken Shack, Larry Bell, Jaimie Dolce, Popa Chubby, Ana Popovic.
In 1991 they perform, as supporter band, in The Blues Brothers’ concert in Paternò (CT), Sicily.
In 1992 first work in a recording studio: the tape “Blue Kitchen”.
Two years later, in 1994, they mixed traditional american blues and italian blues recording the cd “Non ci resta che il blues".
From 1997 to 1999 the group didn’t frequently come into the public eye, as Massimo Garrubba, the band leader, took part , as a bass player, in the orchestra of the Teatro della Munizione , a theatrical company, which staged three famous musicals: Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and Tommy, performed , during three exhausting tourneés, in the most glamorous theatres in Italy, like the “Sistina” in Rome, and the “Smeraldo” in Milan.
And it was in that very period that, collecting recordings of some of their live exhibitions, taken from several concerts played in Sicilian pubs, the Blue in Blues released their third record: “Living in pubs” (1999), the absolutely first live recording from a sicilian blues band.
In November 2000, the BLUE in BLUES band goes to United States of America. After a meeting with members of the Washington Blues Society, the band takes part in several gigs in two sacred sites of local blues: the "SMOKELESS" in Washington DC and the "TALIANO'S" in Tacoma Park (Maryland), where the BLUE in BLUES also had a chance to meet one of the legends of USA country blues, Phil Wiggins, who, togheter with John Cephas, has an important place in the history of US music.Particularly impressing also the jams with Mary Ann Redmon, a very well trained soul artist on the way up, who gave the audience moments of very good vibrations.
July 2002: Blue in Blues open act to legendary B.B.King!
Two magic evenings with the best living bluesman, a very wonderful person with a great crew. He called Blue in Blues on stage thanking them about very good open acts; he met Blue Max and bandmates in the backstage, talkin' about blues...What a night!!
August 2002: Blue in Blues perform on stage with an unbelievable soul artist: Julius E.Green, from Memphis, Tennessee, songwriter (in the sixties) with OTIS REDDING and backing vocal of legendary PLATTERS!
Julius Green & Blue in Blues: a very special musical connection ended in 2011 after lots of wonderful performances together! In fact, in summer 2003, a new great show was born: “The Otis Redding Tribute”. Numerous classics remembering the unforgotten king of R&B and his band, Booker T & MG’s, performed in a unbelievable show of music, energy and emotions!
At the end of 2003, in Christmas time, BLUE in BLUES featuring J.E.Green perform a wonderful show playing and singing Christmas& gospel classic tunes; a mix of traditional songs in “STAX” style, tributing to BOOKER T & the MG’s and the artists of the “Memphis sound”.They release also a cd with nine unforgettable songs: “We wish you a Merry Christmas”.
In 2004 and 2005 another explosive collaboration: Blue in Blues perform with Mrs. Scheol “Dilù” Miller, a famous and delicious singer from Jamaica.She was a member of the vocal group “All Black Choir” performing with Mariah Carey in Milano at Filaforum cocert hall in 1998.
In 2009, Blue in Blues perform with CAROLE BEAUSAINT DENIS, singer from UK, a very special deep voice with her groovin' funk-blues style.
They performed, as guest band, in 2012, with a legend of funky 'n soul music, the marvellous Gavin Christopher (Herbie Hancock, Chaka Kan, Tower of Power) and one of the best american X-Factor talents, Elaine Gibbs.
Las but not least, on september 2014 at Tropea Blues Festival (one of the best music happenings in south Italy about blues music), the band and MAYA AZUCENA (wonderful, talended, beautiful singer, R ’n B star from Brooklyn, NY) performed together in a very special and appreciated evening. Ten original songs from Maya, arranged by the band with a mixed NU soul-blues-sound, so interesting!
The rest of the Blue in Blues’ work is today’s history: last album of the complete band, "Acid Blues”, a fusion of blues, jazz, funky and soul, was released in 2014: what a sound!
Max also plays sometimes with a power trio, The BLUE EXPERIENCE, tributing best guitar players ever with a track list of rock blues classics and, ate the same time, he’s writing a short movie story composing a soundtrack inspired by Pink Floyd’s “At Pompei”, their ’70 legendary movie.
In April 2017 a new album is released: a tribute to a great italian bluesman (he’s inspired Max and his music since 80’s): ROBERTO CIOTTI.
But Max never stops: a new cd is work in progress, with 10 new original tracks, absolutely custom made, probably ready to be relased in 2018! Stay tuned...