About Us

Email us at:  PlaehnHinoBand@gmail.com

A blues and R&B sound for all occasions.
The Plaehn and Hino sound is centered on the duo of blues harp and slide guitar. But for larger venues, and when dancing is desired, Dave and Jeff can perform as a trio (+ bass), or appear as the Plaehn & Hino Blues Band quartet (+bass & drums) to match the mood of any event. We can provide our own professional quality sound reinforcement for an additional cost.

 

Dave Plaehn and Jeff Hino explore the uncluttered, powerful mojo of blues harmonica and slide guitar in the tradition of bluesmen like Robert Johnson, Slim Harpo and Elmore James.

A typical Plaehn and Hino performance features traditional blues, originals and contemporary and creative interpretations of current blues artists the likes of Taj Mahal, Sonny Landreth and John Mayall. But Dave and Jeff will surprise the audience by slipping in the high and lonesome sound of country blues, the power of a field holler, or the joy of an old gospel song. It's a danceable blues-based musical InstaPot, with an unusual array of instruments on stage: harmonica, National Steel, lap steel, electric and acoustic guitars, bass, drums, banjo, and even a ukulele. Plaehn & Hino are not your typical blues band. 

 

Dave Plaehn, an Iowa boy, grew up listening to Sarah Vaughn, Dvorak, and last but not least, Ricky Nelson. His early years in a high school rock band turned him onto Minneapolis folk trio Koerner, Ray and Glover, and early blues artists Robert Johnson and Leadbelly.

Devoting his spare time to songwriting and recording and plugging his songs, Plaehn released an LP, SMOKIN', in and in the early 80's, MOUTH FULL OF BLUES, featuring all original songs.

"Dave Plaehn has made a fine solo debut SMOKIN', showing a talented hand at a variety of arrangement approaches . . . Plaehn's vocal quality is most reminiscent of country rhumba king Jesse Winchester, while his phrasing often approximates Phoebe Snow's jazzy blues." --- R. Borgerson, Prairie Sun, Peoria, IL

"Plaehn sings in a rich, smoky tenor that needs no accompaniment. . . ." --- M. Barron, Isthmus, Madison, WI


"An Iowan worth watching and listening to...Plaehn's able-bodied singing and soulful sense of hymnody and rural blues forms that give this rounder it's wings...`Vigilante Man' will make you soar." --- City Pages, Minneapolis

In 1984 Dave left Iowa for Oregon, where he continued songwriting and performing with a number of local acts including the regional act, NEAL GLADSTONE & COMPANY.

 

Jeff Hino's early musical experiences included run-ins with piano and cello, until he discovered the electric guitar. His early blues influences came from Michael Bloomfield, Eric Clapton, and Dicky Betts.

While attending the University of Arizona, Tucson's country rock crowds lured Jeff into the high and lonesome bluegrass sound.

In the mid-70's, Jeff migrated to Oregon, where he tackled country and city swing on banjo, Dobro and lap steel. He appeared in a mouthful of Mid-Willamette Valley incarnations of bluegrass, country-western, cajun, and hillbilly jazz groups, including the Highwater String Band, Spontaneous Combustion, The Sophisticado Swing Band, Cow Patty & Pals, and Waterbound.

Meeting Dave Plaehn in the late 80's, Dave and Jeff played their first duo performance together in 1990.

Five years later, the duo recorded their first CD on Nontrivial Records--On Your Bond, a mix of rural and urban blues, along with a George Jones classic, Buddy Holly's Not Fade Away, and one of Plaehn's originals. They issued their fifth album, "Plaehn & Hino Blues Band" in 2022.

A multi-instrumentalist, it's not uncommon for Jeff to have five or six instruments on stage including National steel guitar, Dobro, acoustic guitar, lap steel,5-string banjo and ukulele.

 

News & Reviews

  • One of the curators at the D&J Blues, Rock and Heavy Metal Museum was going through one of the vaults recently and came upon an old live recording of us. After listening to it, she contacted us immediately at the local blues retirement home. We put in our hearing aids and listened carefully over the phone. We both commented on how much "pep" we used to have!

    With more listening, we decided "We've got to get this out into the world!" And so it came to be.

    Our new CD is called

    "Plaehn & Hino: Live at the 1997 NW Folklife Festival".

    It is available online on a number of streaming services, including Spotify and Apple Music.

    Here is a link with various song snippets and streaming links:

    https://daveplaehn.hearnow.com/plaehn-hino-live-at-the-1997-nw-folklife-festival

  • Dave...incredibly productive music producer that he is, has released his latest CD--"Poor Lazarus".  It features many of the mid-valley's best players...including Jeff on banjo!

    Visit Dave's website for more info:  http://plaehnmusic.com

  • "We were delighted to host the Plaehn & Hino Blues Band twice this summer to play their warm & soul-soothing eclectic blues. They drew a solid crowd of fans who relaxed in the shade, sipping wine and enjoying the elegant string work and familiar tunes. We look forward to having them out to play again!”

    Thanks,
    Natalie

    Lumos Wines, Kings Valley OR

Music

Shows

  • Dec 30 Fri

    12:00 AM

    Methodist Church Sanctuary

    1165 NW Monroe, Corvallis OR

  • May 26 Fri

    12:00 PM

    Old World Deli - Corvallis

  • Jul 12 Wed

    06:00 PM

    Lumos Wines, Kiing's Valley OR

  • Aug 12 Sat

    02:00 PM

    Lumos Wines

    Wren, Oregon

  • Dec 16 Sat

    07:00 PM

    Squirrel's Tavern - Non-President's Ball

    Once again Dave and Jeff and buds provide the soundtrack for the town's most outrageous dance party!

  • Dec 16 Sat

    07:00 PM

    Old World Deli

    A night of blues, R and B on harmonica, slide guitar, and even ukulele. Joined by bassist Mysterious JG and Brian Bucollo on drums. 

  • Mar 29 Fri

    07:00 PM

    Best Cellar Coffeehouse - Dave & Jeff Acoustic Duo

    First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Ave, Corvallis

  • Apr 07 Sun

    02:00 PM

    Private Party

  • Apr 26 Fri

    07:00 PM

    Old World Deli

    341 SW 2nd St Ste 4, Corvallis

  • Jun 30 Sun

    02:00 PM

    Lumos Wines

    Lumos Wine Co., 24000 Cardwell Hill Dr, Philomath, OR 97370

  • Aug 23 Fri

    07:00 PM

    Old World Deli

    341 SW 2nd St Ste 4, Corvallis

  • Oct 05 Sat

    07:00 PM

    Hayloft Concert Series - Dave & Jeff acoustic duo

    Salem

Contact Us

A blues and R&B sound for all occasions and persuasions. The Plaehn and Hino sound is centered on the duo of blues harp and slide guitar. But for larger venues, and when dancing is desired, Dave and Jeff can perform as a trio (+ bass), or appear as the Plaehn & Hino Blues Band quartet (+ bass & drums) to match the mood of any event. We can provide our own professional quality sound reinforcement for an additional cost.