For years now singer/songwriter/guitarist Jeff "the Pitch" Pitchell has been delighting purists with his hard driving, no holds barred brand of thunder and lightning blues.  Now, following in the footsteps of other popular blues artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert Cray, Johnny Lang & Kenny Wayne Shepard, Pitchell has gone into the wind up to bring his musical message to a much wider audience. 

Heavy Hitter, Pitchell's first release on the EMI distributed Pyramid label (due out in stores August 27th) is his most eclectic effort to date.  He still plays homage to his roots, yet has embraced an evolution in his music that takes him far beyond the limits of mere mortal bluesmen.  It also marks a turning point for Pyramid.  As a label known primarily for producing albums from classic rock stars such as Joe Walsh, Earth, Wind & Fire, Robert Palmer, the Doobie Brothers and The Band, it is the first time in their 11-year history they have signed a new young artist. 

JEFF PITCHELL / HEAVY HITTER
Heavy Hitter packs a home run in every one of its 15 cuts.  While featuring special guests appearances by musical greats Clarence Clemons, James Cotton, Rick Derringer and Dave Mason, Pitchell is also superbly backed by his longtime bandmates Jonathan Chatfield, keyboards; Tyson Ellert, drums; and Billy Bileca, bass.  Yet it is Pitchell's distinctive vocals and blazing guitar that truly drive the album. 

From the beginning hard driving guitar licks and honky-tonk piano of the first track "One Day Away" to the smooth Stevie Ray infused rock/blues sound of the last track "Magic Eyes" Jeff Pitchell loads the bases with song hits.  He deftly blends the lonesome train whistle sounds of James Cotton's bluesharp with his slamming guitar leads in his version of Willie Nelson's hit "Whiskey River," then lets his pure vocals lead-off in advance of Clarence Clemon's heavy-hitting saxophone in "My Babe".  But throughout the album from "Fat Cigars" to "Heavy Hitter" it is his signature guitar that bats clean-up and drives the whole team home.  With Heavy Hitter, Jeff Pitchell clearly stakes his claim as the next breakthrough blues/rock guitar god. 

The signing of Jeff Pitchell by Pyramid is the start of an important new direction for the Miami-based record company.  Pitchell is the first rising young artist the label has ever signed.  According to Pyramid's President Allen Jacobi: "We intend to move more in this direction with new younger artists and bands. Especially with performers like Jeff, where the music is timeless and appeals to a broad musical audience.  It opens a whole new market for our artists."