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John O'Leary blues harp
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John O'Leary blues harp's Page
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- About Me:
- NEW ALBUM AVAILABLE ON TRAPEZE RECORDS
JOHN O'LEARY is one of the earliest of blues harp players still active in the UK. Originally from Ireland, John's family settled in England in 1955. At The Ealing Jazz Club in 1962 he first heard harp player Cyril Davies with Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated and learned the art of blues harp by listening and watching Cyril. Inevitably he discovered the great masters of the blues harmonica; John Lee Williamson, Sonny Terry, Little Walter, Noah Lewis, James Cotton, Shakey Horton and Junior Wells.
His career began in 1965/66 with SAVOY BROWN'S BLUES BAND. John met guitarist Kim Simmonds outside a record store one Saturday morning and they became founding fathers of Savoy Brown. The band soon became a favourite on the London club scene playing at venues such as The Marquee, The Flamingo, The Speakeasy, Scotch of St. James, Blazes and the Eel Pie Island.
These days, THE JOHN O'LEARY BAND. has become a successful part of the UK Blues Scene. The band features the extraordinary talents of Jules Fothergill (guitar), Roger Inniss (bass), Jools Grudgings (keyboards) and either Wayne Proctor or Jamie Little (drums). The band has been described by Blues Matters "as blues harp meets The Maharvishnu Orchestra". The band has released one CD "Sins" and is currently planning a new album for 2009.
In addition to The John O'Leary Band, John is a member of 60's rockers The Downliners Sect and in a duo partnership with W.C. Handy award nominee, the pianist and record producer Dave "Munch" Moore.
BOOKINGS
UK:- SUGARKANE MUSIC,
Tel. +44(0)20 8769 6557
Cell:-0798 204 7529
Email info@johnolearyband.com
USA:- WORLDWIDE TALENT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES 3950 N. Lake Shore Dr. 2310
Chicago, IL 60613
USA
Tel: +01 847.401.4412
www.worldwidetalentmanagementassociates.com
www.worldtalentmanagementassociates.comLATEST REVIEWS
THE TIMES NEWSPAPERWeds. 9th January 2008
Junior Wells Tribute Show: Ten Years Gone
".....O'Leary was simply superb. Bearing down on the reeds with such powerful, precise tone on numbers such as 'Snatch It Back & Hold It' and 'Checking On My Baby', he lifted the performance to a higher level every time he took to the stage..." David Sinclair.
- Favorite Blues Artists and Bands
- Son House, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Art Tatum, Art Blakey, Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez, Jimmie Rodgers, Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Placido Domingo, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, James Brown, Clara Ward, Mahalia Jackson, Sonny Boy No.1, Little Walter, James Cotton, Junior Wells, Amelia Rodriguese, Manitas de Plata, Mariza, Paco de Lucia, Paco Pena, Verdi, Bartok, Chopin, Tchaikovski, Rachmanninov, Weather Report, Maharvishnu Orchestra, Jules Fothergill, Roger Inniss, Jools Grudgings, Joachim Greve.
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- http://www.johnolearyb.com
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© 2012 Created by Eric.
Comment Wall (19 comments)
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Thanks for adding me as a friend. I'd love to get together for a blow sometime - harp + violin = something very different!!!
We got out of promoting before we could book you to a gig in Bristol - so now we will see you tomorrow at Tubby Blues in Cheltenham.
Regards
Ian
Blindin' Blues Music
keep on doin' it
Ian
Blindin' Blues Music
thanks for the info, wish i could have been there! as i've mentioned before i'm living on the wrong side of the Atlantic.
take care,
tim
I hope to see you again his year and would love to play with you again.
Cheers,
B.G.
cheers
Innes
tim
Happy New Year!
Jackie
Good to hear you're still blowin' that harp! I'm planning a couple of special programmes in the future, one harp special and an all British programme which i'll be co-presenting with another blues fanatic so I'll be featuring your tunes again!
My computer died so haven't been online very much...am just in the process of reinstalling everything!
Hope you`re not too chilly back in the old country... beautiful Aussie sunshine here!
All the best
Tess
thanks a lot for adding. Kindest regards from Marita and all the guys from Barnaby´s. All are looking forward for a return :)
See ya
Werner
tim
Looks like a second British blues invasion on the
new members listing , great to see you here.
Ken Pustelnik ( and Pete Cruickshank not forgetting Eddie Martin )
ps I mean it in the nicest possible way..................regds Geo