Who are we?
Blues Hoodoo
Blues Hoodoo is a Vancouver-based instrumental quintet delivering a groove-driven blend of funk, jazz, and blues fusion.
The band is driven by deep-pocket grooves and intuitive musical interplay, creating a laid-back yet captivating sound that keeps listeners locked in and moving.
Rooted in feel, trust, and spontaneity, every performance unfolds in real time, songs stretch, shift, and take unexpected turns while staying firmly grounded in the groove.
Whether in intimate listening rooms, jazz clubs, or on festival stages, the band delivers infectious rhythms and rich harmonic textures, blending tight precision with fearless improvisation. It’s music alive in the moment, shaped by players who listen deeply, play boldly, and let the groove lead.
The current lineup brings fresh fire to Blues Hoodoo, with newest members Sheldon Bradley on guitar...delivering tone-rich precision and fiery fretwork, and Peter Trotzuk holding down the low end with power and finesse. On saxophones, Ian Putz commands the stage with soulful, electrifying performances, while drummer Ron Wells anchors the band deep in the pocket, locking every groove in place. Rounding it out, Stu Young on keys adds rich textures, sharp instincts, and masterful touch, completing a lineup built on feel, fire, and musical connection.
Blues Hoodoo reimagines jazz-fusion classics like Joe Zawinul’s “Birdland” and Pat Metheny’s “Phase Dance,” alongside inspired interpretations of artists such as John Scofield, Larry Carlton, Simon Oslender, and Scott Henderson.
At the same time, they push into original material built for risk and spontaneity, where no two performances land the same, and each tune unfolds in real time, shaped by the energy in the room.
The COLLECTIVE
Stuart Young (Keys)
GEAR: nord electro 6 HP
Stuart Young’s passion for the piano began in his early teens, first turning heads at house parties before growing into a lifelong career in music. He went on to earn a four-year degree in Jazz Composition from Western Washington University.
After university, Stuart performed internationally in five-star hotels across Europe and Australia, sharpening his skills and musical voice along the way. Back in Vancouver, he became a familiar and respected presence on the local jazz scene. For 15 years, he was a house pianist and regular performer at the Copper Room at the Harrison Hotel. In early 2018, Stuart joined Blues Hoodoo, reigniting a deep passion for blues, funk, and fusion. He is a key collaborator in the band, contributing to original material as well as thoughtfully chosen covers.
Influences: Jeff Beck, Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, Monty Alexander and Chick Corea to name a few.
Ron Wells (Drums)
Gear: Yamaha Absolute Hybrid Maple drums.. Zildjian Cymbals
At the core of Blues Hoodoo is co-founder, drummer, and percussionist Ron Wells, the band’s longest-active member and primary contact for bookings and contracts.
First exposed to big band, jazz, and jazz-fusion in his early years, Ron has built a freelance career spanning over 45 years, performing on stages and in studios with a wide range of artists. Sharing the stage with so many accomplished players has been both humbling and formative, shaping a deep respect for musical conversation, creativity, and rewarding challenges. That experience continues to help guide Blues Hoodoo’s collaborative sound and creative direction.
Influences: Clyde Stubblefield, David Garibaldi, Jeff Porcaro, David Weckl & Steve Gadd to name a few.
Ian Putz (Saxophones)
gear: 2018 Trevor James custom tenor sax
A welcome addition to Blues Hoodoo in 2021, Ian Putz is an internationally respected composer, arranger, and saxophonist with a career spanning film, television, and live performance. His credits include the Hollywood features LAPD: To Serve and Protect (starring Michael Madsen and Dennis Hopper) and Totally Blonde, featuring Michael Bublé in his first starring role, along with music for major networks including CBC, CTV, HBO, A&E, and The History Channel. He also composed Bullets Over Broadway for Paul Sorvino and Hugh Hefner, and continues to create for Canadian and American networks.
With over three decades of experience, Ian has performed and recorded with a remarkably diverse range of artists and ensembles, including Aerosmith, Mötley Crüe, Rita MacNeil, David Foster, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as well as various chamber groups and jazz big bands.
His depth, versatility, and expressive voice make him a natural fit within the Blues Hoodoo sound.
Peter Trotzuk (Bass)
GEAR: 4 & 5-STRING, "FENDER" AND "KINAL" FRETTED AND FRETLESS ELECTRIC BASSES
Peter’s role in Blues Hoodoo draws on decades of shared musical history. Having previously collaborated with Sheldon, Ron, and Stu across multiple projects, this marks their first time performing together as a complete unit. Now joined by longtime Blues Hoodoo member Ian Putz, the group has developed a cohesive, forward-looking sound rooted in deep experience and boundless creativity.
Influences:
Peter’s musical path was set in 1970 after first hearing John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin). Since then, his playing has been shaped by a wide spectrum of genres including rock, jazz, Motown, pop, and progressive rock. Influences such as Jaco Pastorius and Jimmy Johnson, who inspired his transition to 5-string bass in the early 1980s continue to inform his versatile and expressive style today.
Sheldon Bradley
Gear: Kinal guitars, Kingsley amps
Sheldon Bradley knew early on that the guitar would be his path. After studying jazz at Malaspina College in Nanaimo, he moved to Vancouver in the late ’80s to complete the Jazz and Commercial Music program at VCC. In 1999, he co-founded the Bradley McGillivray Blues Band with powerhouse vocalist Ruth McGillivray, a band that remains active today, performing at clubs, festivals, and concerts and entering its 27th year.
Rooted in the blues and shaped by jazz, Sheldon blends the spirit of B.B. King with the harmonic sophistication of Robben Ford and Larry Carlton, while occasionally venturing into the styles of John Scofield, Pat Metheny, and Mike Stern. Known for his taste, tone, and melodic storytelling, he balances raw emotion with refined musicality. A lifelong student and noted gear connoisseur, Sheldon plays Kingsley amps, Kinal guitars, and an ever-evolving collection of boutique pedals, and is always happy to talk music and gear.
Influences: B.B. King, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, John Scofield, Pat Metheny and Mike Stern, just to name a few.