Biographies
Opal Rose
Vocals
Opal's first band brought her into a community of talented Rochester musicians giving her opportunities to sit in with several bands over the years, even when she was not in a band of her own. As one of the founding members of the band Fire Wheel, she has opened for several national acts and headlined at festivals. Being a part of the band Blues Circle is an opportunity to expand her love for the blues.
Doug Chanin
Guitar
Doug is originally from that bastion of the blues, Brooklyn, New York. He also lived in Buffalo several years. Doug eventually landed in Rochester in the early 90's and started Blues Circle in 2021. He has been playing guitar on and off since the 1980's. Major influences include classic bluesmen like Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf and Hubert Sumlin as well as more modern players like Eric Clapton and John Mayer.
Gordon Richey
Guitar
Gordon Richey is a Rochestarian born and raised, having attended West Irondequoit High School, St. John Fisher College and several other institutions of higher learning that seemingly had no effect on his intelligence. He has been getting caught up in the strings of various instruments since the age of 4.
Jerry Laufer
Harmonica
Jerry's musical career reads like a who's who of Rochester blues. Playing with several notable bands including The Midnight Blues Band and The Occasional Saints. Jerry has also been a regular sit in player with Rochester blues legend Joe Beard among others. He took inspiration playing a set with one of the Old time Chicago greats Lefty Dizz at Buddy Guy’s club Legends in Chicago. Jerry now brings his classic Chicago blues sound to Blues Circle.
Greg Seward
Bass Guitar
Greg Seward is a Rochester native. He studied Sound Engineering at Finger Lakes Community College and while he started out mainly as a drummer, got deep into the bass guitar during the Covid pandemic. His infuences include Flea, Les Claypool, Tony Levin and both Mikes from Alice in Chains.
Bill Foley
Drums
Bill has a lifelong interest in American roots music, particularly the Blues. 35 or so years ago, at a house party, Bill couldn’t take his eyes off a conga that sat next to local radio legend Uncle Roger who was fiddling on his bass. When asked if he wanted to play, he said I don’t play. Uncle Roger coaxed Bill into trying, "you can count right? sit down and let’s try".
From then on Bill was hooked. He took some lessons and bashed around at open mics, played with childhood friends, raised a family, and began to gig with an original band around the Finger lakes after Covid. Always wanting to get back to Blues and roots music he is back home in Blues Circle.