The Silver Tongued Devils

The Silver Tongue Devils are a who’s who of Northwest All-Stars! Founding member, vocalist and bassist, Tim Scott is a veteran of the music community and has played with many of the most notable names in blues based music, including Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Billy Preston, Dr. John, and John Mayall, Tower of Power, Robben Ford, Etta James, Mavis Staples, the list goes on and on!

The Devils proudly feature virtuoso Jay Thomas who’s horn playing is crucial to forging the band’s synthesis of R&B and jazz. Jay is on over 100 CDs, including 21 as leader or co-leader. He has also recorded with many heavy-weight players, most notably Cedar Walton, Billy Higgins, Ray Brown and Elvin Jones.

Keyboardist, vocalist, composer and educator, Mike Jaap has played preeminent venues all around the globe. “Dr. Jop” has worked on stage and in the studio with Blues, R ’n’ B, and jazz royalty, including Robert Cray, Elvin Bishop, B. B. King, James Brown, Ernie Watts, Eddie Harris, Stanley Turrentine, and Larry Coryell.

Ben Smith gained notoriety initially as a first-call session percussionist for dates in Seattle recording studios. In 1996, he began working with the Wilson Sisters, subsequently joining Heart for live and studio-produced releases. Additionally, Ben has performed and/or recorded with Taj Mahal, Leroy Bell & His Only Friends, Peter Frampton, Sugar Pie de Santos, Cornelius Bumpus, Danny O’Keefe, Ernestine Anderson, among other first tier artists.

Prior to founding The Devils with Tim Scott, guitarist John Hanford was a member of Tacoma’s Fabulous Wailers. Prior to “The Wailers,” John worked for singers Kathi McDonald, and Washington Blues Society Lifetime Awardee, Patti Allen. John also taught music history at his alma mater, U.W. School of Music. Asked about his “main influences,” the radioactive Hanford responded: “The Silver Tongued Devils!”