Kid Java Band Bios

Kid Java: Harmonica & Vocals
Before forming the band, leader/harp player Bill Ferns (a/k/a Kid Java) had performed and recorded with a range of artists including blues legends Lightnin' Hopkins, Otis Rush, and Big Mama Thornton, pop / folk artists Richie Havens and Dave Van Ronk, and contemporary rap performers Melle Mel and Afrika Bambataa. In 1984, Ferns launched Kid Java in order to present his own powerhouse style of blues-n-rhythm. Since that time, Kid Java has performed with such blues greats as Albert King, Otis Rush, Pinetop Perkins, and Johnny Copeland, and recorded with Dave Van Ronk, Frank Christian, and Dave Fields. He performs regularly in NYC-area venues.
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Joe Lee Henderson: Guitar & Vocals
Joe Lee Henderson has been a NYC-based performer for over four decades--a familiar fixture on many NYC bandstands. Joe was a member of the longstanding Daylight Blues Band and is a founding member of Steelyheads, the Westchester-based Steely Dan Tribute. He has backed up Bo Diddley and Frankie Ford, as well as the folk greats Paul Siebel, Frank Christian and Jack Hardy. And he was a core member of Kid Java Classic! Send email To Joe Lee

Drew DiCamillo: Bass & Vocals
The newest member of Kid Java, Drew has been playing the bass since he stumbled upon one being used as a door stopper in a friend's basement. He soon started bass lessons, during which his bass teacher introduced him to the blues and blues musicians, and Drew began gigging at 13 years old. Drew cut his teeth gigging in night clubs while under age and often drank seltzer with lemon to pretend he was an adult. Drew continues to play blues bass while also writing original music (drewdicamillo.com). Drew has been in the following bands: Funk Yard Dogs, Dry White Toast, Big Daddy Project, Senor Lucky, and Kid Java. He gigs playing both blues and originals in the NYC Circuit.
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Scott Hamilton: Drums & Vocals
Scott is one of the original Javanese. He has been playing drums since he was in grammar school. He played drums on Kid Java's very first paying gig ($10 a musician) in 1969. In addition to playing with Kid Java, he plays with the Robert Silverman Jazz Quartet; the 50s R&B / Rockabilly band, Emy and the Epix; the country/Americana band, The Bootheel Boss Gobblers; and the Grateful Dead tribute band, Ice Petal Flowers. Send email to Scott

Kid Java: Copyright © 2002 Bill Ferns. All rights reserved.
Revised: April 17, 2002