Based in Columbia, SC, Elliott and the Untouchables are one of the most popular blues bands in the southeastern U.S., specializing in jump and jump-influenced blues. Guitarist, singer/songwriter, and frontman Elliott New, a former blues radio show host, has played with Guitar Shorty, Mike Morgan and the Crawl, Bob Margolin, and the late Robert Covington.
Harmonica player Mike "Naz" Nazarenko grew up in the Panama Canal Zone and was introduced to the blues by neighbors who were originally from Chicago. After picking up the harmonica and moving to the U.S. in 1980, Nazarenko settled in Hot Springs, AK, and then later in Columbia, SC, to play with blues legend Drink Small. After sharing the stage with Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets, Nappy Brown, Guitar Shorty, and others, Nazarenko joined the Untouchables in 1996.
Bassist J.T. Anderson is a South Carolina native who has played with countless blues and R&B bands in his home state. Prior to joining the Untouchables in 1997, he too played with Drink Small.
Drummer David Hunt has been performing since his college days, when he played four nights a week with R&B band Julius Cobb & the Soul Messengers. Hunt headed down the blues road after becoming enamored with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Ringo Starr, Mitch Mitchell, and Elvin Jones have all had an influence on his approach to drumming. Hunt joined the Untouchables in 1992.
Elliott and the Untouchables released their first CD, Last Meal, in 1995, followed by Danger Zone in 1997 and Both Ends Burnin' in 2000. The band has a busy schedule; in addition to nightclub gigs, they have played festivals in Memphis, Birmingham, Charleston, SC, Asheville, NC, and Ireland. ~ Ann Wickstrom, Rovi
