Five-time Grammy Award Winning Guitarist Robert Cray and his band started a Blues journey in Oregon that has led them to the top of the Blues world. He is one of the few blues artists who managed to cultivate a mainstream following in the 1980s and 1990s. Cray uniquely blended elements of rhythm and blues, pop, and traditional blues to win fans to a more contemporary blues sound. Dan Forte of Guitar Player magazine acknowledged the rarity of a popular blues artist by noting, "Robert Cray is not only making great music, he's making history. With a few exceptions...it used to be that there was the blues and there were the masses, and never the twain shall meet. But Cray, who obviously is respected in blues circles, is a press darling and crossover smash."

"Cray...is first and foremost a singer par excellence, a master craftsman who shapes that soft talking voice into a powerfully expressive instrument that evokes soul and R&B greats from Otis Redding to Al Green." Rolling Stone Magazine

Swati will open for Robert Cray: http://www.swatilive.com/ Swati ('birth of a star' in Hindu') is a New York City native. Swati's early exposure to music came via the classical world when she was awarded an academic scholarship to study trombone. Her performing debut at Carnegie Hall, however, resulted in abandoning the classical world in favor of exploring her own singing, songwriting and guitar playing. Swati immersed herself in the city's music scene at a young age, managing the popular club Nightingale's. This put her in touch with the fertile music and arts scene in Manhattan's lower east side. Before long Swati was performing and creating a sensation there, attracting musicians and record company execs alike and securing a spot at Lilith Fair.

Swati's songs are direct, honest and powerful and delivered with disarming humor. In the crowded singer/songwriter universe, Swati stands out as a particularly distinct star.