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Vol. 19, No. 24
March 1, 2023
GPCF pg. 07
Volunteer pg. 9
ERIC BRUNET PHOTO
New local band brings their own blues sound to Polson By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal
Grief
pg. 14
POLSON — A new local band held a successful debut recently, aiming to bring some of their favorite blues traditions to Western Montana. The six-person blues band, Mojo Rising, got its start a few months ago thanks to a party among local musicians. According to two of the band members, lead vocal Jess Hunter and lead
guitar Richard Lecomte, a jam session during that party was what got the whole thing started. “(Richard and I) were considering doing a coffee shop sort of thing, but then it turned into adding my friends Keryl Lozar and Sid Seay … and next thing you know it’s a six-piece band. It’s just been amazing,” Hunter commented. Lecomte said he end-
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ed up bringing in some of his own former bandmates from Missoula to round out their lineup. They were really able to get things going thanks to the Western Montana Musician’s Co-op in Ronan. “It’s all thanks to the WMMC because we wouldn’t be able to do it without them,” Lecomte stated. “They provide the rehearsal space and everything.” “It’s a great place to get
started, spread your wings on a Saturday night with everybody,” Hunter said of the WMMC. “We’ve been working since October … We’re hoping to create a fun blues atmosphere with some raw, deep, female blues vocals.” The band is made up of Hunter, also known by her “blues name,” Big Mama Jess; Lecomte, who goes by Brother
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