MISSISSIPPI HEAT
Pierre was born on October 13, 1952 in Israel of Christian-Belgian parenthood. However, shortly after his birth, Pierre’s family moved to Germany and France before going back to Belgium in 1957. By the age of 6, Pierre had already lived in three countries. The sound of the harmonica was first introduced to him when he lived in Alsace, France. It was not until he came to Chicago in 1969, however, that he finally detected his destiny: playing the blues on the harmonica. It was there he heard Big Walter Horton live, an experience that forever changed his life. Pierre holds a doctorate degree in clinical psychology and worked in that field for several years, successful and accomplished by age 36. His desire and passion to play the blues would not let go, and in 1991 Mississippi Heat was born. Inetta Visor lead singer was born February 4, 1955 on the South Side of Chicago. Inetta has always had a passion for singing. She has been in several bands, and worked several jobs from child care to radio engineer, until finally finding a home in Mississippi Heat in 2001. Her Etta James style vocals seemed to be a perfect fit for both her and the band.
Michael Dotson on guitar is a true Chicago Blues man, an accomplished singer song writer in his own rite. For years he was a veteran of the Chicago blues scene, playing for three years with Aron Burton and then logging six years as a Teardrop with Magic Slim.Kenny Smith drums was raised in the heart of the Chicago blues scene. While other babies listened to nursery rhymes, Kenny listened to the blues, and the blues in Kenny’s house were played by America’s finest. His father, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, is one of the best-known living blues drummers. While Kenny acknowledges that his father taught him 99% of what he knows, he has also studied with such great drummers as Odie Payne, Fred Below, Earl Phillips, S. P. Leary, Francis Clay and Art Blakey. Kenny has performed with an impressive list of blues legends, that includes Pinetop Perkins, Big Bill Morganfield, Homesick James, Honeyboy Edwards, Henry Townsend, Rusty Zinn, Fingers Taylor, Mississippi Heat, and The Cashbox Kings – just to name a few. Besides playing and recording with Mississippi Heat since 1997.
Brian Quinn bass player is the newest and youngest member of Mississippi Heat. Born and raised in the small town of Athens, Ohio. He began playing piano at the age of six, but found his calling when he took up the bass at the age of fourteen. Brian attended Berklee College of Music in Boston on a scholarship, where he studied with world-class musicians such as Kenwood Dennard, Livingston Taylor, and Matthew Garrison. He has played with Mississippi Heat since 2011.
—————