D.A. Foster has been singing professionally since he was 14 years old. Though he has performed across many musical genres, the Blues is where his heart lives. The music’s emotional honesty, soulful depth, and universal connection to human experience give him the drive to perform night after night. To D.A., the Blues is the foundation of all American popular music. He often quotes Muddy Waters: “The Blues had a baby, and they called it rock ’n’ roll.” It’s where he feels most at home—his voice and his personal history naturally rooted him there.

In his late teens and twenties, D.A. learned the music from the inside out as co‑owner of the legendary 1,000‑capacity Shaboo Inn in northeastern Connecticut, which operated from 1971 to 1982. He credits Dick Waterman—manager of Bonnie Raitt, Roomful of Blues, Buddy Guy, and Junior Wells in the early ’70s—for helping establish Shaboo’s audience and credibility. Thanks to Waterman, the club became a respected stop for the biggest names in Blues, rivaling major‑market venues like the Bottom Line in New York, Paul’s Mall and the Jazz Workshop in Boston, The Main Point in Philadelphia, and The Cellar Door in Washington, D.C.

The Shaboo stage hosted weekend after weekend of Blues giants: Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, T‑Bone Walker, Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, James Cotton, Koko Taylor, Big Mama Thornton, Taj Mahal, and the three Kings—B.B., Albert, and Freddie. And perhaps the club’s most beloved rising star: Bonnie Raitt. Shaboo presented all of them early—during 1971–72—and throughout the decade.

As a club owner, D.A. formed close relationships with these legends. They recognized his natural talent for the Blues and mentored him, often inviting him onstage. He describes those years as earning a doctorate in the Blues—learning directly from the masters.

In 1979, he formed his own band, the Shaboo All Stars. That same year, Matt “Guitar” Murphy—fresh off The Blues Brothers movie—called D.A. from Los Angeles. They had known each other for years from Matt’s days with the James Cotton Band. When D.A. mentioned he was forming a new band and needed a guitarist, Matt arrived within days. The Shaboo All Stars were born.

Touring the U.S. in 1980 and 1981, the band received rave reviews from the New York Post, Daily News, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and newspapers from the East Coast to New Orleans. Headlines proclaimed, “Glorious All‑Star Blues” and “Playing Their Own, the All Stars Are a Hit.” By the end of 1981, after an intense run, the group took a break and Matt moved on.

When the Shaboo Inn closed in 1982 after D.A.’s 11‑year run, he rebuilt a new version of the All Stars, performing across New England and New York until 1987 while working as a talent buyer for major venues. During this period, legendary bassist Harvey Brooks joined the band—a highlight for D.A. Harvey’s résumé reads like a map of rock history: Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, The Doors, Super Session, Seals & Crofts, and he was a founding member of The Electric Flag.

So in 1987, when Harvey invited D.A. to Los Angeles to front a revived Electric Flag with Buddy Miles, Mike Finnigan, Bill “Killer” David, and the Phoenix Horns, D.A. jumped at the chance. But when the project fell apart, he pivoted—convincing the musicians to record his solo album What A Life. Legendary producer Paul Rothchild (The Doors, Janis Joplin, Bette Midler) was so impressed that he produced the album on spec. The sessions were magical, but Rothchild passed away shortly afterward, and the masters became tied up in his estate for 22 years, stalling the release. Still, Los Angeles gifted D.A. a lifelong friendship with Mike Finnigan.

Returning to Connecticut, D.A. resumed performing and talent buying while building Shaboo Productions. Starting with one truck, he grew the company into a major backline and production provider serving thousands of artists. Nearly 25 years later, it carries a sterling reputation for quality and service—another way for D.A. to stay connected to the music he loves.

Throughout the ’90s, he continued performing with the Shaboo All Stars. In 1999, they became regulars at Mohegan Sun Casino. After one show, tribal chiefs—fans of the old Shaboo Inn—met with D.A., and a joking comment about renaming the band led to a multi‑year contract. The newly named Mohegan Sun All Stars gave D.A. the budget to expand the band and regularly bring in his friend Mike Finnigan as a special guest.

Over his 35‑plus‑year career as a bandleader, D.A. has performed with or supported countless greats: Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Keith Richards, Dan Aykroyd, Maceo Parker, Buddy Guy, Ray Charles, James Brown, Delbert McClinton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Etta James, Elvin Bishop, Joe Cocker, Robert Cray, and spent over a decade opening for B.B. King.

He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Connecticut Blues Society in 2012 and was inducted into the Mohegan Sun Hall of Fame in 2013.

Looking back, D.A.’s life has been shaped by singing, performing, supporting musicians, and building businesses that serve the art form he loves. His greatest joy remains singing the Blues with fine musician friends. This journey—and the people who guided it—led him to The Real Thing. At last, he could make and share the Blues record he’d always dreamed of. He is grateful to Mike Finnigan and Tony Braunagel for co‑producing the album with the Grammy‑winning Phantom Blues Band and several extraordinary guests. His deepest hope is to touch every listener with the passion for the Blues that has guided him all his life.

CIFF GOODWIN
Shaboo AllStars – Guitar and Vocals MD

Cliff what is an original member of the American standard band and a 1977, he was instrumental in Joe Cocker choosing a SPG to be the band that would help bring him back to being one of contemporary music‘s greatest voices.

He recorded with Joe on many albums including “Luxury You Can Afford” with the hit single “Funtime” as well as other albums including Robert Palmer’s “Secrets” LP which contains the hit “Bad Case Of Loving You”.

He also scored three billboard charting tunes with The New City Rockers. Cliff performed with many of rocks legends including Matt “Guitar” Murphy, John Mayall, James Cotton, Etta James, Steve Miller & The immortal Santana. When Eric Clapton performed “You Are So Beautiful” with Joe, he decided to use Cliff’s arrangement. When asked about the guitar solo and if he would change it, his answer was “No! Why would you change perfection”. Cliff, still with an intense passion for playing. He’s a founding member of Mad Dogs Unchained and has spent the last two & a half years touring America & Europe. Cliff’s most resent accomplishment is the release of two solo records Union Blues & Double It Up! A rich tapestry of wonderful songs and incredible guitar work. His vocals are real and hart felt.

MITCH CHAKOUR
Shaboo AllStars – Piano, B-3 & Vocals

Mitch is considered to be a musician musician. He is a leader and a teacher who helps to guide all who come into his musical world. Only in his career, proof of his immense talent was evident when he played in the house band at Joe’s Place in Boston, performing with numerous blues legends such as Howling Wolf, Big Mama Thornton, Hubert Sumlin, Coco Taylor, Muddy Waters, Freddie King and many others. He went on to form his own band in the late 70s called Mitch Chakour and The Mission Band, which for many years was one of New England’s most highly acclaimed bands.

In 1978 when Nicky Hopkins left Joe Cockers band, Mitch was the natural choice to take over. His incredible talent and the ability to play rock ‘n’ roll with a foundation in Gospel music made him the perfect fit. Playing on “Luxury You Can Afford” and touring with Joe in the late 70s and early 80’s, Mitch left his mark on Joe‘s music. His world is all music, all the time!

If he’s not arranging scores and performing with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the Massachusetts Symphony, he’s recording tracks in the studio, or serving as musical director for Majestic Theater, New Century Theater and Pioneer Valley. When he’s done with all of that, he’s busy teaching the next generation of musicians. He has toured with the J Geils Band singing on stage with Peter Wolf, opened the House of Blues in Boston, and performed at Fenway Park along side Arrowsmith.

Mitch has also had a guiding hand with Mad Dogs Unchained. Also founding member and has spent the last two & a half years touring America & Europe.

MARTY RICHARDS
Shaboo AllStars – Drums

Marty is nationally known as a “go-to” player for any setting. His innate sense of swing and on unerring sense of time have graced hundreds of stages and one 150 recording’s, behind a list of artist that reads like a “Who’s Who” of American popular music. After Berklee College of music, his professional career launched with a 10 year stint in the Gary Burton quintet. He has performed and recorded since then with many jazz, rock and blues acts including Duke Robillard, Joe Perry Project, J Geils Band, Pete Francis, James Montgomery Band, Airborne, Peter Wolf, James Cotton, Jay McShann, Jimmy Witherspoon, The Blues Brothers, The Peter Malick Group featuring Nora Jones, John Hammond, Johnny A, Kim Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, Makoto Ozone, and Tommy Flanagan. In 2015 he was inducted into the Rhode Island music Hall of Fame, and was recently recognized by Zildjian for his 30 year association with the brand.

Marty has been teaching drums for over 20 years and has being a faculty member at Noble and Greenough. An avid collector of beetle memorabilia, a love for cars, his history of music and playing the drums…Marty is the little giant!

Marty plays drums for Mad Dogs Unchained and has spent the last two & a half years touring America & Europe.

WOLF GINANDES
Shaboo AllStars – Bass

Wolf is a legend in the Boston music scene and has the reputation that if you need a bass player, he’s the guy to call. He’s also been playing with Lefty, Mitch and Cliff for over 30 years, a cross between James Jamison and Bill Wyman, Who better to hold down the low-end.

Not to be held back by just playing the bass, he is a gifted guitar technician, working right around the corner from Berklee College of music. He’s repaired many instruments for the next generation of musicians.

I have a nature lover, he really enjoys getting out in the woods and taking pictures of birds are riding his bike.

Wolf is also a member of Mad Dogs Unchained and has spent the last two & a half years touring America & Europe.