JOEL PATERSON

The Modern Sounds is a Chicago based trio featuring Joel Paterson on guitar and vocals; Beau Sample on string bass and vocals; Alex Hall on drums and vocals. This big little band is dedicated to performing traditional American music; specializing in rockabilly, hot jazz, western swing, classic blues and everything in between. The Modern Sounds are on the cutting edge of the Atomic Age—bringing you the best of the 30's, 40's and 50's. Joel Paterson hails from Madison, Wisconsin and has lived in Chicago for many years, performing with various bands including Jimmy Sutton's Four Charms and Kelly Hogan's Wooden Leg. He currently fronts The Modern Sounds and Joel Paterson's Blues Roundup. Slap bass virtuoso Beau Sample is from San Antonio, Texas. He spent a few years on the Austin music scene and has recently made Chicago his home. Sample has toured the world and the U.S. many times over, fronting his former band Cave Catt Sammy and backing up Elana James. Alex Hall is from Chicago and is a very talented drummer and recording engineer. He is the man behind the "Chicago Sound" of Ventrella Records and Tapes. Joel, Beau and Alex founded Ventrella Records in 2008 and have released three CD’s to date. "A Chicago Session" features The Modern Sounds backing up boogie-woogie piano master Carl Sonny Leyland. "Steel is Real" showcases the pedal steel sounds of Joel Paterson. In 2009 The Modern Sounds released a specially priced two CD set that features "both kinds of music" they play—one disc is titled "Hold It Fellas," featuring their rockabilly and blues set. The other disc is titled "Stomp Stomp," and shows off their hot jazz and swing side. Minimally mic'd and using no overdubs—The two CD’s capture in the studio the great live set of the Modern Sounds. Winner of the Chicago Reader's "Our Reader's Choice" award for Best Jazz Act, 2009, The Modern Sounds can be seen playing around Chicago at various nightclubs including The Green Mill, Buddy Guy's Legends, The Hideout, Pete Miller's and Fitzgerald's. “The best new band in America!” – Deke Dickerson “Of all the “vintage” artists injecting new life into bygone styles with originality and a sense of humor, these guys just might top the list.” – Dan Forte, Vintage Guitar Magazine “Retro never sounded so appealing. Maybe that’s because guitarist Joel Paterson doesn’t regard the mid-20th century songs as historic repertoire. Instead, he addresses classic country, blues and Tin Pan Alley tunes as timeless works that reward repeated listening.” – Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune “Joel Paterson defines who the ideal session guy should be: selfless, musical, and born with impeccably good taste. His sympathetic hollowbody makes the jazz, country, rockabilly or swing he's backing come alive.” – Timeout Chicago