18-year-old ‘veteran’ musician
By ED FRANKS
Mike Imbasciani and his Bluez-Rockerz have been a Southwest Florida band for four years. They’ve worked throughout Florida including venues in Ybor City, Orlando, Clearwater Beach, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Fort Myers Beach, Naples, Miami and Matlacha.
Mike Imbasciani and his Bluez-Rockerz are featured every other Friday night at Bert’s Bar.
“Friday nights at Bert’s Bar have be-come a special night for us,” Imbasciani said. “We’ve worked Nashville, Memphis and Atlanta, but Bert’s is one of our favorite venues and the people are like family. We’re always glad to be back in Bert’s.”
Imbasciani, originally from Charlotte Harbor, is the guitarist/vocalist.
“I have been playing guitar since I was 5 years old and during the last couple of years I’ve learned to play the harmonica and piano. I was just 12 years old when I began performing,” Imbasciani said. “It was at Gilchrist Park in Punta Gorda. Since then I have performed throughout the state and in Georgia and Tennessee.”
Imbasciani’s musical inspirations come from Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Brian Setzer, Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters.
“The genres I perform include blues, classic rock, folk and rock-a-billy,” Imbasciani said.
“I have been fortunate enough to have some great mentors including Lucky Elden, who got me into blues,” Imbasciani said. “Others have been music teachers, including Elber Perlaza, who actually told me after a few years of teaching he didn’t have anything more to teach me.”
The 18-year-old “veteran” has played at B.B. King’s Blues Clubs in Orlando and Nashville, Gaspar’s Grotto in Ybor City, Tobacco Road and Titanic Brewing Company in Miami, Tootsie’s World Famous Orchid Lounge, Cadillac Ranch, Tequlia Cowboy, Rock Bar, Rippy’s, McFadden’s, Big Shotz, Nashville Palace, Pick’s and Legends in Nashville.
Imbasciani also plays many of the festivals throughout the state: 21st Annual Sarasota Blues Fest, Naples Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival, Eric Clapton 65th Birthday Tribute, Punta Gorda Xtreme Makeover Celebration, Mango Mania Festival, Hibiscus Festival, ArtSensation, Alliance for the Arts opening for Larry Coryell Jazz Trio and Bluesman Morali Coryell.
The name of the band, “Bluez-Rockerz,” is a sure indication of the music. Imbasciani plays a number of blues-rock oldies such as “The Letter” (Box Tops, 1967), “Black Magic Woman” (Fleetwood Mac, 1968) and “All Day and All of the Night” (The Kinks, 1964).
Reviews posted on ReverbNation indicate that Mike Imbasciani and his BluezRockerz is a band to watch. Linda Day, SRQ Daily Magazine, wrote two years ago: “Blues sensation Mike Imbasciani is way ahead of his time. He canvases the guitar like a seasoned professional with decades of living and professional experience. Considering he’s been playing since he was 5, he could be revered as a vet. Yet, he’s only 16.”
“We’ll be at Bert’s three Friday’s this month,” Imbasciani said. “We’ll be back on the 10th, 24th and the 30th. We start playing at 7:30. I hope to see all of you then.”
Bert’s Bar &?Seafood Grill is at 4271 Pine Island Road in Matlacha, For information about the restaurant, call 239-282-3232.