Board & officers

Guiding the philadelphia blues society

Derek Matteson – President
Derek “Slim” Matteson is a huge blues enthusiast who not only loves listening to it but also loves to perform it. Performing with Slim and the Perkolators Derek lives to spread the love of this African American art form that has inspired nearly every type of modern music today. As the president of the Philadelphia Blues Society Derek would like to support the blues, help educate younger generations, and create a place for fans and musicians alike to share their love for it.

Dr. Andy Rosen – Vice President
Founding owner of Conshohocken Brewing Company. My love for music and the blues goes way back and allowed me to meet Jamey and Greg at Jamey’s House of Music in 2022 where I now license the bar through the Conshohocken Brewery and spend my weekends listening to the finest musicians at the best live music house anywhere. I am now proud to be a founding board member of the Philadelphia Blues Society.

Jamey Reilly – Vice President
Jamey is a long-time musician who currently plays bass guitar for the Philly Blues Kings and the Girke-Davis Project. He is the founder of Jamey’s House of Music along with his wife, Suyun. He has a many decades long history in the music business as an audio products design engineer, large and small venue operator, touring soundman, graphic artist, and impresario. Jamey serves on the board at the Lansdowne Business Professionals Association. He also holds a degree in Physical Therapy and taught yoga at his Putney Yoga Center in Vermont.

Khadijah Renee – Secretary
Khadijah “Renee” is a Jazz Songstress in the vein of the Great Ladies of Jazz. She currently lives and works in Philadelphia. Khadijah is a former member of the Delaware Council of Jazz Advocates. She is also an actress graduating from Philadelphia’s Freedom Theater and completed acting courses at Philadelphia’s Bushfire Theater as well as film courses with Mike Lemon Casting Agency. In 2014, she travelled to Hollywood, CA to perform at the historic Saban Theater for the African Oscars. Khadijah holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Temple University, and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania.

Maureen Shanahan – Treasurer

Greg Gaughan – Director
Greg Gaughan has worked in the music business for the past 35 years. Greg was the editor-in-chief for a local Philadelphia music magazine, handled media promotion for bands, managed a few local Philly-area bands, handled radio promotion for a few Philadelphia/New Jersey Roots-Rock/Americana artists, worked with the cable TV show, Blues Avenue, was the producer and host of the “Roots Rock Review” radio show on Z88.9FM in New Jersey. It was during his time at Z88.9FM that Greg adopted and started doing public service announcements for the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation. Greg was a judge for three JSJBF International Blues Challenge Competitions, too. In 2006, Greg was invited by the JSJBF Board to join the board. Greg started his new radio show, “The Blues Journey”, broadcasting on Saturdays on the internet radio station, Radio That Doesn’t Suck, based in Toronto, Canada. As booking manager for Jamey’s House of Music, Greg is responsible for booking the artists for the Friday & Saturday night shows. Greg is also the Bar Manager.

Bradley Brown – Director
Brad matriculated at Gettysburg College, graduating with a Business Administration degree. He spent 20 years in management with United Parcel Service before starting his own social services-oriented S-corporation in the late 90’s. After retiring from that endeavor, he has done consulting. Brad looks forward to making the Philadelphia Blues Society a shining example of how a blues organization can work to offer the area’s blues fans the best entertainment possible.

Pamela Renee Smith – Director
Vocalist, Producer, facilitator, Coordinator of Pamela Renee Keeping Live Entertainment Live.
Digital creator.
Material Management Coordinator at Hahnemann University.
Hostess for Wednesday night GRAND SLAM JAM.
Studied Drug and Alcohol Counseling at Community College of Philadelphia.
Studied at Delaware County Community College Campus Life Office.
Went to Overbrook High School, Phila., PA.
Studied at Gwyned Mercy College.
From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Cindy Amoroso – Director
Upon her post-college arrival in the Philadelphia area (late 70’s), Cindy was suddenly immersed in the most incredible live music she had ever experienced. There was Jimmy Rogers and Steve Guyger at the Ambler Cabaret, John Colgan-Davis and the Dukes, Philly Gumbo at Bacchanal’s, Roy Bookbinder, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, and all the old-timer acoustic legends at Philly Folk Fest and River Blues . It was listening to Elizabeth Cotton at the Brandywine Music Fest, that inspired Cindy to drag her National Steel out of the case and start dabbling in the old southern mountain blues. This passion for early jugband and gospel blues has stayed with her all throughout her journeys to venues and festivals all over the world. “I feel that it’s my travel and festival experience that has given me the skills I need to create festivals and events such as the first annual Anson B Nixon Park Roots and Blues Festival, this July. I want to offer these capabilities and this love for the blues to the Philadelphia Blues Society to help make it a vibrant network of players, venues and events.”

Don Genova – Director