Port City Blues Players perform during March's Live@5 concert.
Entry is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Pay at the door. Complimentary beer, wine, and nonalcoholic beverages are included. THIS EVENT IS FOR GUESTS AGES 21 and OLDER.
ABOUT THE THE PORT CITY BLUES PLAYERS
The Port City Blues Players are avid supporters of Port City Blues Society, an organization affiliated with the Blues Foundation and dedicated to preserving the blues art form. This collection of seasoned multicultural musicians plays frequently for concerts, festivals, clubs, casinos, blues jams, fund raisers and other events. The band plays regularly at the Port City Blues Society weekly blues jam in historic downtown Pine Bluff RJ’s Grill & Bar.
Members of the band include Jerry McCoy (guitar, vocals), Dave Sadler (guitar, vocals), Mark Morgan (guitar, vocals), Roscoe Willis (bass), Gene Cooper (keyboards) and Lex Capraitalia (drums). The group is frequently joined by other area musicians. The band’s music consists of both traditional and modern blues reflecting each member’s years of stage and studio experience.
The Port City Blues Players have been booked for festivals including Big Steam Music Festival, Smoke on the Water Barbeque Championship, Blues/Balloons and BBQ in Russellville, Hot Springs Blues Fest, KASU Monster Grooves in Newport, Fordyce on the Cotton Belt Festival and the Bradley County Reunion Festival. The band was featured for 21 straight weeks for Blues Night at Saracen Casino Resort on the Legends Bar stage.
About the Musicians
Jerry McCoy (guitar, vocals) — After seeing the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, Jerry McCoy got his first guitar at 15, and immediately fell in love with it and music in general. Jerry has toured and recorded with The Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts, Ronnie Milsap, and others. Jerry now lives back in his hometown of Star City, and enjoys playing with The Groove Diggers and Port City Blues Players, and records original music in his studio. Jerry is a member of the Port City Blues Society and was inducted into the Mississippi Blues Hall of Fame in 2011. Jerry has numerous recording credits and is affiliated with BMI as a songwriter and composer.
Dave Sadler (guitar, vocals) — Growing up on the edge of the Delta in Arkansas, Dave Sadler grew up surrounded by blues-inspired music. A self-taught musician, Dave picked up his first guitar at age 11 and has been playing ever since. His playing style is a blend of blues, jazz, and funk. Sadler can frequently be found playing live at festivals, clubs, private parties and other venues. Dave has numerous recording credits and has been featured on several blues compilation releases. His work has been reviewed in Blues Blast Magazine, Wasser-Prawda, Blues Magazine, Mary4Music and other publications. He is affiliated with BMI as a songwriter and composer. Dave is a board member of the Port City Blues Society and a member of The Blues Foundation.
Mark Morgan (guitar, vocals) — Mark’s love for music began at an early age listening to the radio. After receiving a guitar and amp for Christmas, he began to spend countless hours trying to mimic his guitar heroes. From singing in church to playing community barbecue cook-offs, Mark has always found a way to share his music. After attending one of the jams hosted by Port City Blues Society, Mark went “full throttle” on the blues. Mark Morgan has established himself as an up and coming blues guitarist/vocalist who excels at lead and slide guitar. He is always working hard to help develop new music for the band. Mark also plays with the Spa City Blues Band.
C. Roscoe Willis (bass) — C. Roscoe Willis is a Pine Bluff native and graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the Music Business Institute of Atlanta. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in music education. A former U.S. Marine Corps Band audio technician, he is the founder of DTO Records. Willis plays brass, keyboard and bass instruments. In addition to the Port City Blues Players, Roscoe plays with the Chad Marshall Band, a 2024 International Blues Challenge contestant. He recently worked with Marshall on an 2024 album release. He also plays with his uncle, Detroit Johnny, recipient of the 2023 Sonny Payne Award for Blues Excellence. He is president of the Port City Blues Society. He is affiliated with BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) as a songwriter and composer.
Gene Cooper (keyboards) — Gene “Pops” Cooper was born in 1947 in Prattsville, Arkansas, to a musical family of 17 children. At age 14, he began playing keyboards and bass in nightclubs with his older brothers. He has played keyboards with notable artists such as Jackie Wilson, Patti LaBelle, OV Wright, McKinley Mitchell, Tyrone Davis and others. He has recorded with his brothers and “Little Cooper and The Drifters.” While in the military, Cooper played on numerous military bases. After military service, he began playing in Pine Bluff with The Zodiacs and other groups. Gene and his wife, Nancy, are members of the Port City Blues Society.
Lex Capraitalia (drums) — Lex “Capraitalia” Arenella is a sought-after percussionist in central Arkansas. Lex was born in Boston. His first introduction to the blues came from listening to his older cousin’s vinyl records of traditional blues, as well as blues-influenced rock and soul music. In his late teens, he moved to Portland, Oregon, to play clubs and theaters, later moving to Hollywood to pursue bigger dreams. It wasn’t until moving to Little Rock in 2019 that he found his home, with the blues coming full circle. Playing as house drummer for several local blues jams, notably the Port City Blues Society, blues feeds his soul. Lex also plays with Barbeque Bob & The Spare Ribs and The Spa City Blues Band, among others.
More information about the Port City Blues Players and their mission can be found at pcbluesplayers.com and on their Facebook page.
The long-running concert series Live@5 features jazz, blues, and rock & roll at 5 p.m. on the first Friday of each month! Sponsored by MK Distributors.
