‘Lil’ Ernie was raised in the Seattle area and toured the West Coast, Canada and Alaska extensively in the 60’s 70’s and 80’s before moving to Colorado. Colorado projects have included the Lazy Alien Blues Band, Rich Reno Blues Band, Lil Ernie and the Big Thang, Sundanz Band, Bruce Hayes Band, Mo’ Champipple and Blue Recluse to name a few. Ernie’s influences are quite diverse although if you ask him he’ll tell you “I’m just an old blues player”. ‘Lil’ Ernie has in fact played in a number of different bands, from lounge and jazz to country, but his blues roots are evident no matter who he’s gigging with. His approach to the blues is authentically original and easily recognizable.
The two bands that he is playing with currently, ‘Blue Recluse‘ and ‘Mo’ Champipple‘, while exhibiting different aspects of the blues are a definite must see for the blues enthusiast.
Blue Recluse is a hard driving 5 piece blues band. Showcasing a fiery female vocalists in Miss Shawntell Royale; with inflections reminiscent of Janice, Etta and Bonnie Raitt; a driving rhythm section and an oh so slick guitarist, it’s no wonder fans travel miles to follow this band.
Mo’ Champipple is a funky 7 piece ensemble with horns and an attitude! Solid rhythms, driving beats, screaming guitars and stabbing horns. If you have a big stage, they have a big sound.
Ernie got the nickname, Lil Ernie, from his mother to distinguish him from his father, jazz pianist Ernie Hatfield, when calling him to supper. Much of his musical influence came from his father who was a member of ‘Ella Fitzgerald and the Four Keys’ and spent years on the Chitlin Circuit. Urging his son to give up the blues Ernie Sr. once remarked “Boy don’t you know the blues is a curse”
Pictured: Ella Fitgerald and the Four Keys at the Apollo Theater.
(Click here to learn more about Ernie Hatfield Sr.)