LISBON – Maine-based blues band Kevin Kimball and the Mojo Romeos have been selected by the Maine Blues Society to represent Maine in the 2005 International Blues Competition in Memphis, Tenn. The competition is sponsored by the Blues Foundation and will take place over three days in February.

The Mojo Romeos will compete with more than 90 blues acts from around the U.S. as well as numerous international entrants for $25,000 in cash and prizes. All contestants get to “strut their stuff” before numerous panels of industry professionals.

The Mojo Romeos, a “semi-acoustic” quartet, play classic and original blues compositions and boast a radical departure from the more traditionally formatted blues bands.

The most immediately noticeable difference is the absence of a drummer; this allows the other instruments to create their own rhythms, and audience members frequently remark that after a few minutes of listening, they are surprised to find that they don’t miss the drums at all. Another unique aspect to the lineup is the inclusion of the flute, an instrument not normally associated with the blues.

Ultimately, Kevin Kimball and the Mojo Romeos present a fresh version of blues that is unlike any other.

The band is comprised of: Kevin Kimball, bandleader, slide guitar and vocals; Tom O’Connell, harmonica and vocals; Bob Tingle bass; and Ralph Thompson, flute, guitar and vocals.