Baza - About

Baza celebrates the tradition of the guitar and harmonica duo, performing blues, rags, roots and original music. This New Hampshire based duo features Doug Philbrook, fingerstyle and slide guitar and vocals and Geof Goodell, harmonica and vocals. Their live shows keep audiences entertained with their dynamic instrumental interplay, gritty soulful vocals, stories and "bluesocology" of the music and the musicians that gave birth to the early blues.

"What a great night of blues! Many great songs with interesting stories about the artists who wrote them." - Diane Heer, director, Kimball Library, Atkinson NH

As a 1982 graduate of The Musician's Institute in Hollywood CA., Doug was exposed to a variety of musical genres and styles. His dedication to learning and performing the blues became something of an obsession not only for the music but also the history and stories of it's players. Doug’s playing employs a variety of blues tunings, fingerpicking and bottleneck styles. His vocals are emotive and evocative of the classic blues howlers. Doug's encyclopedic knowledge of the music and his ability to craft a story is engaging and entertaining to listeners of all ages.

“Through their gift for storytelling and knowledge about the rich and interesting history of blues music, a Baza performance makes for a wonderful evening of edutainment.” - Roger Plourde, Board of Directors, Granite State Blues Society

Influential in the development of Geof’s melodic and fluid style of harmonica playing is his enjoyment for many styles of music including, jazz, rock ’n’ roll, blues and bluegrass. His blues journey began with the music of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and harmonica stylist, Paul Butterfield. Geof’s harmonica sound can go from “silk to grit” and his vocals are passionate and “spot on.” His stage presence and ability to connect with audiences is in harmony with his easy going, laid back nature.

"Doug and Geof have developed a special symbiosis; they are true complements to each other as they play, each allowing room for the other to shine." - Anya Zakiewicz, Simple Gifts Coffeehouse, Nashua NH

Performing as a duo since 2010, these bluesmen conjure the sounds of the “Deep Blues” with wailing harmonica, sharp vocal harmonies and driving steel guitar rhythms. Their performances paint a picture of the blues through the songs and stories of its early creative geniuses and the times they lived. Their sound has been described as “gritty and soulful” and their story telling engaging and insightful.

"Baza has taken the time to get inside the old songs and styles and figure out what made them tick (bass runs, harmonies, turnarounds and phrases) to really do the music justice." - Jim Katsiaficas, guitarist

Baza has performed at festivals, summer community concerts, restaurants, bars, speakeasys, coffeehouses, libraries, assisted living homes, live radio broadcasts and house concerts. In 2017 they competed in and won the Granite State Blues Challenge in the duo category and went on to compete at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN.

Baza has produced 3 outstanding recordings, beginning with “Reeds, Strings, Blues and Rags,” was recorded in 2017. It is a 9 song CD featuring 4 original songs by Doug and 5 classic blues and rags by Rev Gary Davis, Bessie Smith, Sleepy John Estes and Pink Anderson. "Live in Studio" was recorded on a whim and produced a 4 song EP of classic blues. In 2019, Doug and Geof recorded a live in studio, one take 8 song CD featuring the blues of Muddy Waters, Memphis Minnie, John Jackson, Cephis and Wiggins, John Estes, Dick Justice, Ishmon Bracey and one blues original by Doug.

“"Baza proves themselves to be one of the Granite States treasures! Good stuff!" - Doug Sloan, Metronome Magazine