BIOGRAPHY

Herbie Goins starts singing in the Baptist Church of his town in Florida when he is a little boy, with his mother, a Gospel singer.

He is still a teenager when he forms his first Blues Group, The Teen Kings, and he has his first successes in Florida and in other south states.

Some years later he moves to New York, and he starts his real musical formation travelling all over the States and participating in several occasions at concerts of bluesmen like B.B. King, Bobby Bland and Sam Cook.After the military service in Germany, Herbie is engaged by the great English Orchestra of Eric Delayne and, with them, he moves to England. Some times later he leaves Eric Delayne to join the Chris Barber Jazz Orchestra.

But the call of the Blues is too strong for him, and so he becomes the official singer of the Blues Incorporated of Alexis Korner, considered the father of the White Blues, who gets together those who will become the most interesting artists of the English musical scene. Herbie sings with musicians such as Dick Heckstall Smith, Jack Bruce, Ginger Backer, Danny Thompson, Phil Seaman, and many others. Unforgettable are the albums recorded in this period as “Live at the Cavern” and “Red Hot from Alexis”.

After some years with Alexis Korner,  Herbie forms his own group, The Nightimers, and orients himself mostly towards Rhythm and Blues. Once again he has in his band great talent musicians like John Mc Laughlin at the guitar, just to tell one name. It is an immediate success. Herbie becomes one of the favourite singers of the Mods, a movement really very important in  England at that time. They follow him in all the historical London Clubs, such as Flamingo, Marquee, Sylibles. His song “Number One in Your Heart” becomes Mods’ himn. EMI engages him and his records enter in the charts in most of the European countries and, after years, will become great demand for collectors of rare records.

During this time, memorable are the jam sessions of Herbie with Otis Redding (in concert at the Scoth Club of London), with John Lee Hooker (in concert at the Norwick Jazz Club at Norwick), and with Jimi Hendrix, still unknown and present at the Blaises Club in London every Monday for the appointment with Herbie’s concert.

One of the great fans of Herbie Goins was a young Robert Plant, who, today, still remembers his songs word by word (also Robert Plant, after time, became part of the Alexis Korner Blues Incoporated).

After some years with the Nightimers, Herbie starts to cooperate, also as a composer, with a lot of artists and TV programmes, leaving England for Italy. To remember the friendship and the collaboration with the Italian Bluesman Guido Toffoletti, the LP recorded together and last CD, Keep it Simple.

Finally at the end of 80s’ he returns full time to the scene. In his tours, not only in Italy but all over Europe and also in United States, he participates to the most important festivals and musical events.

Besides his band, he has worked with numerous groups, both Italian and English.
Today the Herbie Goins’ Band, that he calls “The Final Selection” has been quite totally renewed, and is composed by young musicians, who combine their musical talent with a great professionality and a fresh enthusiasm. The Final Selection can be presented in two line-ups: the first composed by four musicians (guitar, bass, drums and keyboards) and the second by seven musicians with the addition of sax and trumpet.

Concerts
 

Those who know Herbie Goins, know that, apart from his great voice and his natural talent as an entertainer, he has the exceptional gift to leave in his public the sensation to have listened non only to a good singer’s concert, but also of a great friend: this is a special feeling that joins Herbie to his public.

Between the concerts, is good to remember:

• the International Concert of Vaduz in Liechtestein together with Joe Cocker;

• the two Memorial Concerts dedicated to Alexis Korner, held at the Opera House in Buxton (England) where Herbie participated with artists of great renown, such as Jack Bruce, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Dick Heckstall Smith, Paul Jones, Chris Barber, etc. These concerts have been recorded live for great compilations;

• and again in England, one of the most important Festivals, the Burnley Blues Festival;

From Burnley artists'  presentation booklet:
"Herbie possesses a true blues voice of many colours, possessing the fire and brimstone roughness to strip paint one minute, and a smooth, creamy sweetness to paint the Sistine chapel the next.
U.S. born, Herbie Goins was instrumental in the birth of the U.K. blues. Tthis rare chance to see such a great performer live and unleashed on the British scene should be taken witd both hands".
 

• in Switzerland various editions of the Lugano Blues Festivals , the “Piazza Blues” of Bellinzona, Rapperswill and St Gallen Blues Festivals;

• in Spain numerous concerts in Barcelona and Madrid.

• Among the tournée Herbie loves to remember, a particular place is given to an important tour last year in the United States, where Herbie’s “return home” has obtained great success both for the public and the critics.

• Herbie is still very loved by the young Mods, who use to meet in great international conventions,  coming from all over Europe, but also from United States and Japan. Herbie sings very often for them during these meetings. The last two concerts have taken place in England last summer at the Theatre of Ryde, Isle of Wight, and this summer in the town of Margate.

• All the most important Blues Festivals in Italy;

• During the two last years, Herbie had several tournée in the East European countries, where he performed in some Festivals such as Zagreb and Lastovo Blues Festival in Croatia, Jazz Festival in Grisignagna, Lent Festival in Slovenia.

• And, last but not least, in November 2004 Herbie felt the desire to re-start from where he began when he was a child with his mother: Gospel. Herbie has therefore formed a vocal group, Stars of Joy, accompanied by a pianist. With them he had several beautiful events during Christams time and he is willing to continue to dedicate a part of his time also the the music of the spirit.

TOURS

JANUARY

5 Jan. Abano Terme (Italy)

7 Jan. Mahalia Club, Roma (Italy)

15 Jan. Jail Break, Roma (Italy)

17 Jan. Gospel, Stars of  Joy, Perugia (Italy)

20 Jan. Mahalia Club, Roma (Italy)

FEBRUARY

11 Feb. Trieste (Italy)

MARCH

4 Mar. Mahalia Club, Rome (Italy)

11 Mar. Gospel, Stars of Joy, Pescara (Italy)

APRIL

29 April, Mahalia Club, Roma (Italy)

MAY

14 May, Grosseto (Italy)

16 May Gospel, San Paolo entro le Mura Cathedral, Roma (Italy)

22 May, Aberdeen (Scotland)

24 May, Dundee (Scotland)

25 May, BBC radio live, London (England)

JUNE

4 June, Potenza (Italy)

5 June, Barletta (Italy)

JULY

7 July, Palermo (Italy)

14 July, Greece

15 July, Greece – TBC

16 July, Greece  

AUGUST

18 Aug. Val Badia Jazz Festival (Italy)

19 Aug. Valleroveto Rock Festival (Italy)

23 Aug. Gospel, Stars of Joy, Marche (Italy)

26 Aug. Spain

27 Aug. Spain

28 Aug. Spain

29 Aug. Tangeri, Morocco – TBD

30 Aug. Tangeri, Morocco – TBD

MAIN 2004 CONCERTS

JANUARY
9 Jan. Deep Blue, Lienz (Austria)
10 Jan. Blues Bakery, Steyr (Austria)
11 Jan. Blues Cafè, Tarvisio (Italy)
12 Jan. Zagreb Blues Festival, Croatia
13 Jan. Zagreb Blues Festival, Croatia
16 Jan. Mahalia Club, Roma (Italy)
22 Jan. Mata Hari Club, Cutrofiano, Lecce (Italy)
23 Jan. Lecce (Italy)

FEBRUARY
20 Feb. Mahalia Club, Rome (Italy)
25 Feb. Tunnel Club, Wien (Austria)
27 Feb. Alcatraz Club, Budapest (Hungary)
28 Feb. Verdi Verdi, Celje (Slovenia)

MARCH
12 Mar. Mahalia Club, Rome (Italy)

APRIL
23 April  Mahalia Club, Rome (Italia)

JUNE

4 June, Venice (Italy)

5 June, Sardinia (Italy)

6 June, Sardinia (Italy)

7 June, Sardinia (Italy)

8 June, Sardinia (Italy)

20 June, Pride, Roma Ostia (Italy)

25 June, Oasti, Roma Ostia (Italy)

26 June, Venice (Italy)

27 June, Cattolica (Italy)

29 June, Rimini  (Italy)

JULY
2 July, La Casetta, Ostia Lido (Italy)

7 July, Lent Festival Maribor (Slo)

8 July, Venice (Italy)

10 July, Jesolo (Italy)

23 July, La Casetta, Ostia Lido (Italy)

24 July, Campobasso Blues Festival (Italy)

29 July, Venice (Italy)

30 July, Jazz Festival Rijeka (Croatia)

31 July Jazz is Back Festival, Grisignana/Groznjan (Croatia)

AUGUST
1 Aug. Jazz is Back Festival, Grisignana/Groznjan (Croatia)

3 Aug. Berna (Switzerland)

4 Aug. Savona (Italy)

5 Aug.  Trieste (Italy)

6 Aug. Lastovo (Croatia)

7 Aug. Lastovo Island Music Festival, Lastovo (Croatia)
12 Aug. Sacile (Italy)

13 Aug. Cison di Valmarino (Italy)

17 Aug. L'Aquila (Italy)

18 Aug. Montalto di Castro (Italy)

22  Aug. Roma (Italy)

 SEPTEMBER

23 Sept. Slovenia TBD

24 Sept. Slovenia

NOVEMBER
20 Nov. Cambridge, England TBD

7 Nov. Jail Break Club, Roma (Italy

27 Nov. Byblos Club, Rimini

DECEMBER

11 Dec. Gospel, Stars of Joy, Voghera (Italy)

12 Dec. Gospel, Stars of Joy, Trapani (Italy)

17 Dec. Mahalia Club, Roma (Italy)

18 Dec. Gospel, Stars of Joy, Modena (Italy)

19 Dec. Gospel, Stars of Joy, Cosenza (Italy)

22 Dec. Gospel, International Rome Aiport (Italy)

23 Dec. Gospel, International Rome Aiport (Italy)

24 Dec. Gospel, Stars of Joy, Sulmona (italy)

26 Dec. Gospel, Stars of Joy, Carpineto Romano Cathedral (Italy

DISCOGRAPHY

Speaking of the historical discography of Herbie Goins is not easy. Infact the past recordings are now part of the musical history: the live records with the Blues Incorporated of Alexis Korner, or the recordings with the Nightimers are now very  rare and  requested from records collectors specially in England and Germany.

More recently we have:

SOULTIME!

CD - See for Miles Records London. 

Anthological collection of original pieces recorded in the 60s by Herbie Goins and the Nightimers.

RHYTHM, SOUL AND BLUES
CD & tape - Tendance, Roma. 

Rhythm and Blues / Blues, Originals e covers.

SEARCHING...
 CD - Xenam Music, Roma.

 It contains an intelligent sequence of  blues, gospel up to funky and blues/rock.

NUMBER ONE IN YOUR HEART

CD realized in November 2002 by Azzurra Records.
Blues, original and covers.

Herbie is now working to a new CD.

Compilations and collaboration

Herbie has participated to a great number of compilations all over the world, and has recorded songs as a guest in records of many musicians.

To remember, in particular, the cooperations with Guido Toffoletti: They recorded together some vinile records and only one CD, KEEP IT SIMPLE, in 1991.

FIRST ALEXIS KORNER MEMORIAL CONCERT

Compilation realized by Trojan Records in London

SECOND ALEXIS KORNER MEMORIAL CONCERT.

CD - Indigo Records (1996), London
Herbie is present with three songs (two covers and one original) recorded live at the Buxton Opera House, in occasion of the Second Alexis Korner Memorial Concert. It is a collection of three CD that includes all the artists who have participated to this great concert, such as Jack Bruce, Dick Heckstall Smith, Paul Jones, Chris Barber and many many others.
The collection has been presented by Harry Shapiro, author of the authorized Alexis Korner biography:

”Alexis Korner died on 31st January 1984. Ten years later a memorial concert was held at Buxton Opera House to raise funds for the Beechwood Cancer Care Center. So successful was that concert, it was decided to repeat the exercise this year, and let the wider world share in the experience by recording the concert and releasing a three volume CD set, of which this is volume three.
.............
"Last but by no stretch of the imagination least comes the magnificent Herbie Goins. A regular vocalist with Blues Incorporated, he was the star on what was probably Alexis’ finest album “Live at The Cavern”, the closest vinyl ever came to expressing the power of the band in full flight. For many of the audience at that time, Herbie was the first genuine black American blues singer they had ever seen and whenever he sang, the band went to another level. Here he fronts an all-star band including Chris Barber and Dick Heckstall Smith.
…
Alexis was never confortable in the studio. Live was his milieu; he loved the immediacy, the audience reaction, the uniqueness and variety of each single performance. He would have loved this concert and his friends did him proud.”

THE BAND

Herbie Goins’ Band begins this season totally renewed. Herbie has choosen young musicians, with a consolidated experience combined with talent and enthusiasm.

The band, that Herbie likes to call “The Final Selection” may be presented in two versions, the first composed by four musicians: bass, guitar, piano/keyboards and drums, the second with the addition of sax, trumpet and trombone.

ALESSANDRO PINNELLI plays drums.
He is the only musicians of this band to have played for many years with the former Herbie Goins Band. The cooperations has been interrupted when Alex moved to the United States for two years to have a more direct contact of study and work with the American music. After his return in Italy, he re-started to cooperate with RAI and Mediaset and re-entered Herbie’s Group. He has played with numerous famous Italian artists.

RUGGERO BRUNETTI plays guitar.
Arranger, composer and guitar-teacher, he cooperates with RAI TV programs. He has produced numerous albums at an international level. He played with artists such as Paola Turci, Gino Paoli and Patty Pravo

FRANCESCO SAVERIO CAPO plays bass.
He is a composer and a music teacher. He is a polyhedric musicians who plays rock, jazz and ethnic music As regards tours with famous artists, he has been, between others, with Gino Paoli and Niccolo Fabi.

VITTORIO IUE’ plays piano and keyboards.
Musicians, arranger and composer, he worked with various Italian and foreign artists.
In 1999 has participated as a pro-tools engineer to the realization of Pino Daniele’s record Medina. Since 13 years ago is in the field of jingles liners promo and spot for the most important Italian radios. He has participated in tournée of various music and theatre artists.
 

TECHNICAL SET-UP

• 16 channels mixer (10 for microphones);

• 5 monitors, with 5 separeted lines;

• 12 microphones with stands;

• 4 different plugs on stage for guitar, bass and piano;

• 2 reverbs (lexicon PCM70 or similar);

• Connection cables for all the above.
   

Stage Plan