Octavia is a Singer, Songwriter, Harmonica player, Rhythm Guitarist, Performer, and Recording Artist
Octavia Toured with Etta James,
Played with: Freddie King, The Funky Meters (Neviille Brothers)
Gil Scott-Heron, The Iguanas, The Allman Brothers, Eric Burdon
Opened for:
BB King, Taj Mahal, Mavis Staples, Delbert McClinton, Dr. John, Elvin Bishop,The Muddy Waters Blues Band, Shamekia Copeland, and the Tubes.
Venues Octavia has performed:
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Phila.,
The House Of Blues in Atlantic City, NJ
Longwood Gardens, Kennet Square, PA
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, Harrisburg,
B.B. Kings Club, NYC,
Village Underground, NYC,
The World Cafe Live, Phila.,
The Keystone, Berkeley,
Bimbo's, San Francisco, CA.
Ebbits Field, Denver, CO.
Cambridge Folk Festival, UK
Kings Palace, Silky O'Sullivan, W.C. Handy Park, Blues City,
all on Beale Street in Memphis, TN,
Ground Zero (Morgan Freeman's club) Clarksdale, MS,
Kingston Mines Blues Club, and
Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago Ill.,
Festival International Du Blues De Tremblant, Canada,
Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Charleston, SC,
Rehoboth Bandshell Concert Series, DE,
Octavia toured extensively in the UK for two years.
Reviews:NEW!
"National Women In Blues" compilation CD Reviews:
has sixteen blues Mama's original tracks.
"Hands down, tho, our favorite was from a lady who bills herself as Octavia, with her rendition of "Service Call." The sly, sexy lyrics of this song, backed by her husky vocal and some really cool harp, are filled with double-entendres'" Sheryl and Don Crow from Music City Blues Society, Nashville
Read the entire review:HERE
"Octavia belts out the blues from the gut on 'Service Call.' This one is good old raunchy blues at it's best. Hot, rippin' raw guitar, harmonica and vocals highlight one of the discs real smokers." Review of Women In Blues compilation CD 2007, Peter 'Blewzzman' Lauro (Mary4Misic)
PA Musician Magazine:
Octavia's blues harp playing is freakishly good. She holds a note on "A Cold Day in Hell" so long it almost gives the listener a pulmonary embolism. "Down in the Hollow" showcases most of the skills of this singular Lancaster talent and her excellent band." Alex Greenberg
Kimmel Center For The Arts:
Octavia was chosen as cover girl of Connections Weekly Magazine from an extraordinary nineteen hour talent packed event highlighting the Kimmel Center's Summer Solstice Celebration.
"Harmonica Honey Octavia"
Cover girl "Octavia,"
Octavia is heralded as a vibrant vocalist and amazingly talented harmonica player. Reviews have said, "Octavia's blues harp playing is freakishly good. Her vocals are sultry combination of velvet and gravel, capable of morphing from a hushed vulnerability into an indignant, bellowing roar."
St. Louis Blues Magizine:
"This jazz and blues diva continues to write and record and spread her talents through her two bands, "Octavia & The Earthblood Blues Band" and "Infusion With Octavia."
1. Playin' For My Keep - moaning harp, soulful vocals and crafty electric slide work.
2. Down In The Hollow- slow grooving folky blues tune with that signature harp.
3. Cold Day In Hell- could be the longest harp note held in the history of da' blues. Joseph UJ Miller
Big City Blues Magazine:
Dec./Jan. 06 Blues Angels issue, (interview of Octavia):
Down In The Hollow CD was rated 5 out of 5 Blues Hats.
"A tight knit group of musicians. A female harmonica player with a great style, Octavia plays with real sense of direction and energy. She also plays guitar and utilizes her vocals in a harsh fashion that grovels a passionate breath into her lyrics." "Cold Day In Hell has one of the longest notes I've ever heard played on harp." Dirk Wissabaum
Blues & Rhythm Magazine:
Picks of the bunch: Cold day In Hell with some of the longest held harp notes Ive ever heard, the grinding Service Call and an absolutely lascivious take on Clarence Williams Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl. Down In The Hollow is a first class effort Octavia is certainly one of the classier lady singers on the contemporary blues scene." Phil Wight
Blues Revue Magazine:
Down In The Hollow, from Pennsylvania's Octavia & the Earthblood Blues Band showcases Octavia's dramatic vocal delivery and harmonica playing. Good material, Service Call, Playin' For My Keep" Tom Hyslop
Blues Wax:
Octavia has good harp chops, and a big booming voice. The core of some real fine tunes are in evidence. Octavia & The Earthblood Blues Band have their heart in the right place and have garnered respect for their live performances.
107.3 Heritage FM, Perth, Western Australia:
"Octavia's best recording to date. If you can't get to see her Live! (which you should definitely try to do), this CD is the next best thing. It gets better with every play. As well as her phenomenal harp playing, her song writing is also exceptional. 4 and a 1/2 Stars"
-Keith Morgan
"Rootstime Magazine" Holland:
"She is so good, that she ought to be invited to play at European music festivals.Octavia plays wicked harmonica and old style finger picking guitar besides her sultry and powerful textured vocals. Excellent harmonica blues giving traditional blues themes a personal touch. Octavia knows how to write lyrics. Classy stuff!!" François Braeken
90.1 FM KPFT Houston TX:
You have an unusual attack/technique. The first track I intend to play is "Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl." I really like your treatment/flavor on this classic blues track. Keep up the great work. The Blues Hound, James Nagel
European Review Link to Blues Art Studio CD Review
To view this, please click HERE
Octavia's music can be requested and heard on these radio stations:
XM Satellite Radio Bluesville, Channel 74, with Bill Wax, 866-267-0454, click here
Central PA WXPN 88.7/99.7 Lancaster - York - Harrisburg
Dylan Michaels Host – The Acoustic Diner click here
(for current and past episodes)
Carlo Basile Radio Basile, Camp Hill, PA click here
Jim Mertz, The Dutchman, WMUH, Allentown PA (484) 664-3456 M & Sat.- 6-8pm
Dave Behn - Briefcase Blues WLVR 91.3 FM, Bethlehem, PA
Rick MoClock WLVR 91.3 FM, Bethlehem, PA
Rich Christman WLVR 91.3 FM, Bethlehem, PA
Steve Capwell WLVR 91.3 FM, Bethlehem, PA
BumbleBee Slim (Howard Kozy) WYEP-FM, Pittsburgh, PA
Bill Nolan wpkn.org, WPKN / WPKM Connecticut
Przemek Draheim click here, Czech Republic
Alison DelRe WDIY 88.1 FM Blues, Bethlehem PA
Carl Snyder WDIY 88.1 FM Blues, Bethlehem PA
Mitch 99.9 The Hawk, Easton, PA M
