Sean Geil is a founding member of Cincinnati's The Tillers, and has spent the last seventeen years traveling the country, writing songs and performing everywhere from living rooms to major music festivals.
When not with The Tillers, he performs solo and with a wide array of collaborators, playing traditional country blues and folk songs on guitar and banjo, versions of his band's work, and originals from his 20+ years of writing and performing.
Sean’s passionate vocals and dynamic down home picking and songwriting have made him a mainstay in the regional music scene.
It’s pre war blues, old school country, southern gospel and the history behind the music. John Ford assimilates the blues of the 1920’s and 30’s, the blues of Robert Johnson and Son House, a bit of 1940's country and a pinch of gospel rhythm, and comes up with his own brand of the roots experience.
Mansion Hill Tavern is proud to present John's latest project in a full four-piece band format - the John Ford Blues Society.
A Cincinnati based band playing all different styles of blues & other music, with our own seasoning! Featuring Johnny Fink on guitar and Gina McCann on vocals.
Tom Holland & the Shuffle Kings have been playing the blues worldwide for over 25 years, regularly appearing at clubs and festivals worldwide. Years on the road with blues legends such as John Primer, Eddy Clearwater, and most recently James Cotton have made Tom Holland one of the most in demand blues artists on the scene today!
Featuring Ben Levin
Floyd and Don bring two part harmonies, percussion and guitar to every song in their 9 decade repertoire that spans most genres to give everyone a song to groove to. You’ll probably sing along, tap a toe, and even dance a bit. One thing is for sure…you’ll have a great time!
A trio of Miami Valley musicians who go back decades creating a mix of jazz, funk, and soul.
Welcome Strange Ranger for their Mansion Hill Tavern debut!
Get greasy! Prestige Grease comes once again to the Hill with superbly crafted blues and rock, completely unburdened by rehearsal or any kind of preparation.
Rick “Bam” Powell is a veteran singing drummer who did quite a bit of road work with Le Blanc and Carr, a couple of Muscle Shoals, Alabama recording session musicians. They did extensive touring, along with several national TV shows. They opened on four of the last five Lynrd Skynrd shows before the awful crash. Bam did a stint in Florida with Brutus, featuring guitarist Scott Hendersen, and then stayed down south until The Raisins called him home to Cincinnati, Ohio. Since The Raisins split, Bam has played with some of Cincinnati’s finest musicians in bands such as The Goshorn Brothers, The Bluebirds, Stagger Lee, Tickled Pink, Bucket, and of course, Bam Powell and The Troublemakers. There have been a variety of “Troublemakers,” but these days you’ll generally hear Mike Fletcher on bass/vocals, Pete Benoit on guitar/vocals, Randy Villars on sax and keys, and Bam on drums and vocals. These guys all played together, along with Lee Everitt, in The Tim Goshorn Band. Bam has recorded three solo CD’s and several discs with the above mentioned groups.
A pillar of the region’s rock and blues scene! Come join us for a rockin' night with the Doug Hart Band!
Get ready as the new blues jam series at Mansion Hill continues with local guitar great Mason Johnson!
Come out to Mansion Hill, grab a drink, sign up, and sit in. This is a classic blues Jam format, so bring an instrument and sign yourself into the signup sheet when you get here. All skill levels are welcome — regulars and first-timers alike.
It’s pre war blues, old school country, southern gospel and the history behind the music. John Ford assimilates the blues of the 1920’s and 30’s, the blues of Robert Johnson and Son House, a bit of 1940's country and a pinch of gospel rhythm, and comes up with his own brand of the roots experience.
Mansion Hill Tavern is proud to present John's latest project in a full four-piece band format - the John Ford Blues Society.
#1 Billboard Blues Chart, August 2024
Winner, Blues Foundation Best Independent Blues Album 2024
Piper & the Hard Times delivers intense, eclectic and rhythmically dynamic blues-based music flavored with R&B, soul and rock. The band has an instrumental prowess that enables them to improvise with flair, while still creating music that has a melodic appeal that can immediately connect with audiences who want both a high degree of musical competence and songs with strong grooves and catchy hooks. In January 2024 they took top honors in the band division at the prestigious International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, Tennessee. The core of the band, Al “Piper” Green, Steve Eagon, and Dave Colella have been playing and writing together for over 20 years. Over the course of three days in February 2024, Nashville-based Piper & the Hard Times held court in the legendary Ronnie’s Place at Soundstage Studios in Nashville to record Revelation. The album features a collection of 12 original songs deeply anchored in the blues from the New Orleans-flavored groove of “Trouble Man” to the Texas shuffle “The Hard Times”, the funk-rock “Heart for Sale”, and the slow ache and emotion of “Twenty Long Years.”
One of America’s premier blues-roots artists, Piper & the Hard Times has been delighting audiences across the South for nearly 20 years.. When you listen to their new album, you’ll hear poignant, inspired "from the soul" music from these talented players who love making music together. You can hear that energy and vitality in Revelation which debuted at #1 on the Billboard chart the week of August 27th, 2014.
Piper states, “I’ve never been prouder of anything we’ve ever done. The new album captured us in every way imaginable.”
The band will be joined by Casey Gomez of CFG & the Family.
$5 Cover
The Bluesiest Cats around! Come out for an evening with one of Cincinnati's premier blues bands - the Mojo Blues Cats!!
Get greasy! Prestige Grease comes once again to the Hill with superbly crafted blues and rock, completely unburdened by rehearsal or any kind of preparation.
Ben Walz has been performing in the Greater Cincinnati area since 1993. A fixture on the local club circuit, he released his debut album "Circles Around the Sun" in 2001 to critical success. His second release "Days Like These" was released in 2003 and well received by his loyal fan base. Since the release of "Days Like These" he has continued to write and perform regionally and internationally. Ben is currently working on the release of new EP slated for release in the fall.
FEATURED Events
A trio of Miami Valley musicians who go back decades creating a mix of jazz, funk, and soul.
Welcome Strange Ranger for their Mansion Hill Tavern debut!
#1 Billboard Blues Chart, August 2024
Winner, Blues Foundation Best Independent Blues Album 2024
Piper & the Hard Times delivers intense, eclectic and rhythmically dynamic blues-based music flavored with R&B, soul and rock. The band has an instrumental prowess that enables them to improvise with flair, while still creating music that has a melodic appeal that can immediately connect with audiences who want both a high degree of musical competence and songs with strong grooves and catchy hooks. In January 2024 they took top honors in the band division at the prestigious International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, Tennessee. The core of the band, Al “Piper” Green, Steve Eagon, and Dave Colella have been playing and writing together for over 20 years. Over the course of three days in February 2024, Nashville-based Piper & the Hard Times held court in the legendary Ronnie’s Place at Soundstage Studios in Nashville to record Revelation. The album features a collection of 12 original songs deeply anchored in the blues from the New Orleans-flavored groove of “Trouble Man” to the Texas shuffle “The Hard Times”, the funk-rock “Heart for Sale”, and the slow ache and emotion of “Twenty Long Years.”
One of America’s premier blues-roots artists, Piper & the Hard Times has been delighting audiences across the South for nearly 20 years.. When you listen to their new album, you’ll hear poignant, inspired "from the soul" music from these talented players who love making music together. You can hear that energy and vitality in Revelation which debuted at #1 on the Billboard chart the week of August 27th, 2014.
Piper states, “I’ve never been prouder of anything we’ve ever done. The new album captured us in every way imaginable.”
The band will be joined by Casey Gomez of CFG & the Family.
$5 Cover
New Artists
“No other place like it north of Nashville”
Mansion Hill Tavern is the Cincinnati area’s oldest live music bar, serving up live blues since the 1940s. One of the last of the true “Juke Joints”, we’re just three blocks walking from the riverfront/Levee area on the banks of the Ohio River, in Newport’s East Row Historic District.
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Welcome to the Mansion Hill Tavern, in the East Row Historic District in Newport, Kentucky.
The tavern building was erected in 1875 , and originally served as an Inn for railroad and steam boat workers traveling the Ohio river. In 1892, the ground floor space became a grocery, operated by Nicholas Wererich, which was expanded in the early 1900’s by Reinhold Matzner. The upstairs was home to Actor/Attorney and leader of the Socialist Party of Kentucky in 1910, Walter Lanfersiek, who, in 1911, ran for Governor of Kentucky on the Socialist Party ticket. He was defeated by Democrat James McCreary.
From the Roaring 20’s and until the 1940’s the building remained a grocery store, run by Edward Guiliani (of course, rumors abounded that the building figured heavily in the bootlegging business during prohibition).
In 1944, the first floor space was transformed into Ivy and Gil’s Café. The main bar and counter inside the tavern today date to this time. Proprietors Ivy Tutt and Martin Gil ran the business until 1960, when Ivy’s son Bill Tutt bought into the family business. Ivy and Bill’s cafe was known in the community as a favorite lunch spot, and business thrived. Tragically, Ivy was found dead in the upstairs living quarters on July 6, 1975, due to an apparent suicide, at the age of 88.
It was during the 50s and 60s that the cafe became the local hub of the “boogie woogie” movement, with greats like Albert Washington, H-Bomb Ferguson, Big Ed Thompson, and Big Joe Duskin calling the cafe home.
In 1988, the now legendary Mansion Hill Tavern was formed when the building was purchased by Lou Peluso, the son of Dewey Peluso, co-owner of the infamous Newport Yacht Club. Mansion Hill Tavern quickly became a draw for blues bands all around the region, while also building a reputation for its fantastic food. Lou’s famous fried chicken won countless awards. Mansion Hill was home to acts like Stacy Mitchhart and Blue Lou and the Accusations, and was an incubator for budding players like a young Ben Levin, Erin Coburn, and Noah Wotherspoon.
Finally, the baton was passed, as Lou Peluso decided to sell the building to local entrepreneur and Blues enthusiast, Brian Conner. Keeping the ball rolling with the established acts, Mansion Hill Tavern also welcomes national and touring acts, such as Brandon Miller, Sarah King, Johnny Burgin, Tony Holiday, and more. Mansion Hill Tavern is now the home of the Mansion Hill Blues Festival, the first privately produced blues festival in Northern Kentucky.
At long last, Mansion Hill Tavern offers food again. The kitchen serves tavern staples with a southern touch.
Come join us and spend an evening in this place where history lives.
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