The new CD stay true to their high spirited jump/blues tradition, but includes many different grooves and feels, bringing this CD to a new level of excellence. Featuring the vocals, harmonies, and song writing of both harmonica player David Hoerl and guitarist Brandon Isaak, backed superbly by the top-notch rhythm section of Matt Pease on drums and Keith Picot on upright bass, the new CD was recorded and engineered in Whitehorse in January 2006 by Brandon and brother Chris Isaak. Featuring special guest on piano and organ “Kenny Blues Boss” Wayne, the 2005 Juno Award winner for Best Blues Album.

Paying dues to the blues tradition, The Twisters swing hard with two inspired vocalists, tightly woven harp & guitar lines, and a relentless driving rhythm section forging a groove that refuses to be denied.

David has played with the best blues musicians including Albert Collins, Big Mama Thornton, and Sonny Rhodes and is one of the top harmonica players in Vancouver. Brandon has played in numerous festivals, including the Dawson City Music Festival (Frostbite) and the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Each of the members has brought his musical talents and influences to the table, resulting in a potpourri of "Blues Cuisine" guaranteed to satisfy the most discerning blues palette. From deep in the Mississippi Delta to early

Chicago shuffles, from infectious Texas grinders to West Coast jump and funky swamp soaked Louisiana rhythms; The Twisters serve up the goods. Top it all off with strong original compositions and a live show renowned for rockin’ the house and there’s only one thing left… do yourself a favour and see what the storm’s all about when The Twisters blow through your town.

Whether it's West-Coast Swing, Jump, Boogie, Chicago shuffles, Texas grinders-any kind of blues you dig-you will always have a great party guaranteed when you invite The Twisters!

"The Twisters are a class act!"
Doug Langille, CJSR FM/Edmonton

“A club owner's delight...lots of swing and jump. (Best goddamn harp in Canada!)"
Ron Simmonds, Blues In The Dark Show, CFRO FM / Vancouver

"...authentic and trim live sound that a swingin' jump blues band should be known for. A band to watch our for, especially if you like the dance floor."
Derek Andrews, The Toronto Blues Society's "Maple Blues Publication"

"The Twisters take the Chicago and swing blues of the fifties, giving them an edge that is completely contemporary. Aside from playing the blues with soul, the quartet also does it with a sense of show!"
James Muretich, The Calgary Herald

"It's a spirited romp...each of the men is so talented that one tune just seems to get better than the one before it."
John Scoles, Blues Scene Quarterly

"One of the finest jumpin' - swing blues bands around today. Strong, original material with good vocals and superb harmonica and guitar. Straight-up harddrivin' backbeat and that classic stand-up bass."
Stormin' Norman, The Sunday Blues, CFOX FM / Vancouver


The Twisters are:

Dave “Hurricane” Hoerl
Harmonica and Vocals
Born and raised in San Francisco, David was originally tutored by Rick Estrin and David Burgin in the art of blues Harmonica. He has since played with the best blues musicians in the U.S. and Canada including, Michael Bloomfield, Albert Collins, Percy Mayfield, Big Mama Thornton, Little Joe Blue, Freddie Roulette, Big Joe Duskin, Pee Wee Crayton, Sonny Rhodes, and Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne. In 1982 David came to Canada where he recorded with The Powder Blues Band, Valdy, Gary Fjellgaard, and numerous jingles and commercials. He plays on three of Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne’s CDs including the latest released on Electro-Fi in 2002, playing along with Mel Brown, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Russell Jackson and Jeff Healy. One of the founding members of The Twisters, he has recorded two CDs, the latest, "Long Hard Road", released in 2002. He has received numerous awards and accolades, including being nominated in 1997, 1998, 2003, & 2005 for "Harmonica Player of the Year" by the Toronto Blues Society's, “Maple Blues Awards”. As a songwriter he has won “Best Canadian Blues Song” in 1997 by the “Real Blues Awards” for, "Pure and Simple Blues" off The Twisters first CD, "Fulla Hot Air". According to West Coast Blues Review (1995) and Real Blues Magazine (1996-2000) he is "Canada's Top Harp Blower".

Matt Pease
Drums and Vocals
Matt has been working professionally as a drummer for over 20 years, and has played with artists such as Michael Kaeshammer, Hugh Fraser, Keith Bennett, Kenny" Blues Boss" Wayne, Lee Aaron, Marc Atkinson (The Bills), Ian McDougall, Dave Harris, Daniel Lapp, and Louise Rose, among others. Matt has played all over Canada, including touring in the DuMaurier Jazz Festival with the Michael Kaeshammer Trio. While playing with various bands he has opened for such acts as Edgar Winter, the Wailers, and Green Day. He has studied with Claude Ranger, one of Canada's top drummers. Matt is the newest member of The Twisters.

Brandon “Yukon Slim” Isaak
Guitar and Vocals
A young red haired guitarist with monster tone and technique, Brandon Isaak, a.k.a. Yukon Slim, was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon. He took his earliest inspiration from Buddy Guy and T-Bone Walker and later became more fascinated by the guitar styles of Eddy Taylor and Jimmy Rogers. Brandon moved to Vancouver in 1999 where he hooked up with Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, and later joined The Twisters. He has played with Big Dave McLean, Rusty Zinn, Rockin' Johnny and many others and opened up for Taj Mahal in 2000 for the, “Vancouver International Jazz Festival”, with former band mate Mike Schau. Most recently Brandon opened up for Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials in 2001 at the “New Music West Festival” Brandon played guitar on the 2006 Juno award winning album “Let It Loose” with Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, and appears on 11 albums with many different artists. When he plays, he travels to a different time and space. You can hear it as well as see it. Brandon stays true to the blues tradition and runs the gamut from grinding slow blues to steaming shuffles and hard swing with an intensity and prowess that shows his roots and shows how far he's come throughout the years.

"Brandon Isaak is unquestionably a superstar in the making, playing with tone, imagination, and taste "
John Taylor, Canadian Blues 2002

Keith Picot
Bass
Unforgettable is what a performance by stand-up bassist Keith Picot is.  Better bass players one will encounter but a bass player who gives more of himself and is such a joy to watch is decidedly much harder to find.  Whether singing and leading his own band, or supporting the talent of such bands as: The Twisters, Cousin Harley, Joe Dollar and Juno Award winner Kenny"Blues Boss" Wayne, he always gives 110 percent.  With a hard hitting slap style all his own he can drive a beat like the devil, then equally and effortlessly draw out the sweet tones of a saint.  You are guaranteed pleasure when watching Keith Picot do what he loves to do.