Florida is known for its hot nights and strong winds and iIn southern Florida there’s a band heating up the stages, blowing a mean harp and catching everyone by storm. As a youth Steve “Hawk” Levy caught a show by the fabulous Nighthawks and the very next day bought his first harmonica. Within a year he had a band and earned the moniker Hurricane Hawk. With a passion for big bands, this harmonica playing band leader has kept his swing sensibilities, fusing them with high powered jump blues. Levy calls his ban the Invaders and on this recording presents two different backing outfits of that name.

Armed with his blues tools, voice a mellow growl, a command of the chromatic and a tone harpists dream about, Hawk is ready for a full-blown invasion and his band’s got his back.

The first half of this CD features the latest Invaders, Mark Otis playing guitar, Larry O on bass and Jeff LoForte caressing the skins. “Boom Boom” has a bouncing beat and a totally different theme then John Lee’s song. A saucy hot rhythm moves.

“Daytime Dancer,” the tale of a working girl’s blues, dancing to pay the bills.  Even in the tropical heat a woman can be “Cold so Cold” and these blues swing with a tone of a Little Walter out-take, then delving into a Latin beat Levy tells that pushy woman to “Stay Away (Make My Day).” The final half of this CD is the original line up of Hurricane Hawk & the Invaders featuring Tommy De Stephano on guitar, Frank Mancuso playing bass and Dave Race on drums, kicking into the body shakin’ “Jamming Jelly Live.” “Pack Your Bags” showcase the skills of Tommy De Stephano on guitar then features his vocals and slide on the moody “Cruising For A Bruising.” “Some Kinda Women” is a rockabilly flavored jumper that lets the guitar player shine as the Hawk blows his top.

Next time you’re down in Florida check out this energetic up-and-coming band, Hurricane Hawk & the Invaders, you’ll be anything but Cold So Cold.

- Roger & Margaret White 
- bluestime@sbcglobal.net