Egidio Juke Ingala & The Jacknives - I'm Tired Of Beggin' (2013)

Egidio Juke Ingala's harmonica sound has been described as a cross between Little Walter and George Harmonica Smith, with a touch of Walter Horton…and you'll agree that his groove swings like mad!
Juke is a also natural-born entertainer, gifted with a strong sense of showmanship that too often lacks in contemporary blues performers.
His sound is extremely powerful. Years of meticulous research have led him to obtain what they call "big brass tone", which has been honed by many years of success and touring. A subtle combination of tone, phrasing and attack combined with a strong sense of swing are his trademark.
All his solo albums are solid productions, highly recommended for harp players and fans of Chicago Blues and West Coast Swing.

Since 2010 Egidio has been working with The Jacknives, one of the most solid and authentic blues combos in Europe. Specialized in backing up the harmonica, they proudly carry on the old school blues tradition that black musicians like the Aces started in the 50s, giving their own rendition of the idiom, helped by obsessive listening of vintage blues mixed with rock’n’roll, rhythm’n’blues, soul, jazz…

The Jacknives are Marco Gisfredi (guitar) Massimo Pitardi (bass) and Enrico Soverini (drums).
Marco Gisfredi originally co-founded the band with Italian harp player Marco Pandolfi, with whom they recorded two albums (Step Back Baby 2004, Too Many Ways 2006) and also represented Italy at the International Blues Challenge 2006 in Memphis.

Inspired by Eddie Taylor and Louis Myers, Marco learnt the blues first-hand playing behind great harmonica players such as Paul Oscher, Steve Guyger, Mark Hummel, Lynwood Slim, and backing up people like Wanda Jackson (rockabilly queen) and Mike Sanchez.

The Jacknives’ always swinging rhythm section is currently formed by old pals Massimo Pitardi and Enrico Soverini, whose love and knowledge of afro-american music allow them to play everything from dirty down-home blues to more sophisticated urban grooves.

Massimo, founding member of Dirty Hands, has played with Egidio since 1993 and has established a solid reputation as a blues bassist, also playing behind people like Lynwood Slim and Mark Hummel. Enrico, who cites Fred Below, Odie Payne and SP Leary amongst his main influences, has played all over Europe in blues and American music bands, also offering his solid backbeat to US musicians like Richard Ray Farrell and Mark Tortorici.