"We have no gimmicks," says leader Doug Deming. "We play pure traditional music from the heart, with an image that conveys a deep respect for the genre."

As a result, Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones have been in demand as a backing band for a 'who's- who' of today's top blues performers, including Chicago's A.C. Reed, Louisiana Red, Chicago Pete, Cannonball vocalist Alberta Adams, Black Top's Johnnie Dyer, W.C. Handy Award winner Johnny 'Yard Dog' Jones and the legendary Lazy Lester. "These are my babies" says Alberta. "These guys are my pride and joy" says Lester. Detroit guitarist and Handy multi-award nominee Johnnie Bassett describes the band as "Great talent...that people outside the area will come to know."

Just who are these unlikely young guys from the Motor City? Doug Deming has been the driving force behind the Jewel Tones (formerly known as the Blue Suit Band) since it's beginning in 1991. As a guitarist and vocalist, he acknowledges a musical debt to T-Bone Walker, Charlie Christian and other Texas bluesmen as well as moderns like Jimmie Vaughan and Ronnie Earl. Says Detroit blues writer George Seedorff: "Doug is equally at home playing straight ahead on the solid body guitar or swinging on the big jazz box."

Greg "Fingers" Taylor, a Mississippi native now living in the Detroit area, is considered by many to be one of the premiere harmonica players in the world today, in any genre of music. Fingers' tasteful, eclectic showmanship and electrifying, energetic performances have become legendary over the last 30 years in concert halls, on the club circuit, and on the numerous recordings he has graced. After more than 25 years as a member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Refer band, Fingers is eager to pursue his life-long passion, playing the blues; and following in the footsteps of his earliest influences, Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters, Walter Horton and Little Walter Jacob.

Bassist Bob Conner's diverse experience includes backing such touring artists as Hubert Sumlin, Earl King, Johnny Adams, Eddie Bo and Big Jay McNeely. Bob has also recorded and toured with Detroiters Johnnie Bassett, Joe Weaver and Bill Heid. Bob's swinging lines on the upright and solid bottom on the Fender bass add depth and authenticity to the group's sound.

Drummer Charlie Koltak honed his skills in the jazz program at Detroit's Wayne State University. This Houston native derives his style from jazz drummers Jim Keltner, Shawn Pelton, and Tony Williams.

The group's recordings achieve originality while staying deep in the genre. Released in 2002 on the Chase Music Group's Mighty Tiger Label, 'Double Down' was recorded at Pacifica Studios in Los Angeles and produced by Rick Holmstrom and Steve Mugalian. The record displays playing and song writing maturity beyond the group's years. Featured guests include Holmstrom and Mugalian, as well as the harmonica playing of Fingers Taylor. Taylor's latest recording entitled 'Hi-Fi Baby', released in 2003 on the Warehouse Creek label and produced by Kim Wilson, digs deep to find some very obscure covers to put his stamp on. Featured guests include Deming on guitar and producer Kim Wilson on harmonica.

After years of playing together on and off, the group and Fingers are optimistic about their new alliance. "We're ready to hit the road and make an impact on today's blues scene."