Meet the Band
Nine musicians. Multiple vocalists. Horns, keys, guitars and a rhythm section built for the blues. Meet the people behind the YellowHouse sound.
Lead Vocals
Johanna Lawrence
A founding member of YellowHouse Blues Band, Johanna has been singing for most of her life and brings a lifelong passion for jazz and blues to the band. Her soulful style and powerful voice have helped shape the YellowHouse sound and its ever-changing song selection. Johanna grew up in Burlington, Vermont, where she was the original vocalist for the Pine Street Jazz Band. She now lives in Rye, New Hampshire, with her husband, Dave, and their children, who can often be found in the audience as some of her biggest fans.
Vocals
Sophie Patenaude
A powerhouse vocalist, Sophie brings a dynamic voice and stage presence to YellowHouse Blues Band. A native of Maine, she studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston with a focus on Music Business Management and Professional Music Songwriting. Sophie has performed throughout New England as a solo artist and in collaborations including Meraki with guitarist John Edwards and the Masterstroke Queen Experience. Her debut album, Who You Are, was released in 2021 under Sophie Elizabeth, and she also performs with the Sophie Patenaude Band.
Tenor Saxophone & Vocals
Bruce Addison
A founding member of YellowHouse Blues Band, Bruce brings an unmistakable energy and stage presence to every performance. After playing saxophone earlier in life, he returned to the instrument in 2016 and has since performed with a number of bands, including The Crabshack Band, Trubble, The Meter Maids and Highway 20 Fried. Bruce added vocals to his repertoire in 2020 and especially enjoys performing blues standards including “St. James Infirmary,” “Boom Boom” and “Little Red Rooster.” A longtime member of the Portsmouth community, Bruce has also been involved with the Piscataqua Maritime Commission and Sail Portsmouth.
Trumpet
Michael White
A founding member of YellowHouse Blues Band, Michael brings a lifelong love of jazz to the band’s horn section. He grew up playing New Orleans-style traditional jazz, an influence that can still be heard in his soulful trumpet style. Before YellowHouse, Michael performed with Trubble alongside Bruce Addison and Matt Becker, including performances in Costa Rica. Outside of music, Michael has devoted much of his time to community service, including work with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Easterseals.
Lead Guitar
John Edwards
John has spent much of his life playing guitar and has performed across the country as the lead guitarist for nationally touring bands. In addition to bringing his experience and unmistakable guitar work to YellowHouse Blues Band, he has performed with the Masterstroke Queen Experience and Meraki alongside his granddaughter, Sophie. John has played on numerous albums and is known as much for his love of the instrument as his musicianship. Offstage, he can often be found at TuneTown Music Gear in Wells, Maine, which he and his wife, Pam, have owned since 2004.
Rhythm & Slide Guitar
Matt Becker
A founding member of YellowHouse Blues Band, Matt came to guitar later in life but has since shared the stage with musicians ranging from local performers to national acts. With YellowHouse, he has performed at venues throughout New England, including Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, The Music Hall, The Stone Church Music Club and The Word Barn. Before YellowHouse, Matt was a founding member and rhythm guitarist for The Wildflowers. He has also combined his passion for music with a commitment to supporting nonprofits, including service with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Seacoast Jazz Society and Continuum Arts Collective.
Bass & Vocals
Karen Dicey
A founding member of YellowHouse Blues Band and the heart of its rhythm section, Karen provides the basslines that help drive the band’s sound. Her energy and contagious smile have become a familiar part of YellowHouse performances throughout New England. A New Hampshire native, Karen is also a longtime supporter and volunteer with the New Hampshire SPCA and has a deep love for animals. She and her family have also been longtime supporters of The Music Hall in Portsmouth.
Drums
Paul Bell
Paul’s passion for drums began at age eight, when an introduction to paradiddles set him on a lifelong path in music. Inspired along the way by drummers including Neil Peart and Buddy Rich, he went on to perform in marching band during college before beginning a long career teaching and performing. After moving with his family to Wells, Maine, Paul connected with John Edwards and began inspiring young drummers through TuneTown Music Gear. The two have performed together in several bands over the years, eventually bringing Paul’s experience and energy to the YellowHouse rhythm section.
Keyboards
Mike Harrison
One of YellowHouse Blues Band’s most traveled musicians, Mike has performed on three continents, including North America, Europe and Australia. Originally trained as a classical pianist while growing up in England, he later developed a passion for jazz and blues, studied at Portsmouth Music & Arts Center, and earned a Master’s Certificate in Writing & Producing Music from Berklee Online. In addition to being a founding member of YellowHouse, Mike performs throughout the Seacoast with Bucketlist Jazz Fusion and in smaller ensembles. He has also served on the board of the Prescott Park Arts Festival, supporting its mission of bringing accessible music and arts to the Seacoast community.