[Harp-L] Rocky Mountain Harmonica Blowdown Featuring Billy Branch

["Kim Leonard" <kleo143@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Just wanted to let everyone know about the "Rocky Mountain Harmonica
Blowdown" in Denver on Sunday, October 7th, featuring internationally
renowned harmonica master, BILLY BRANCH. Billy has followed a very
non-traditional path to the blues. Unlike many blues artists, he isn't from
the South. Billy was born in Chicago in 1951 and was raised in Los Angeles.
He first picked up a harmonica at the age of ten and immediately began to
play simple tunes. Billy returned to Chicago in the summer of '69 and
graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in political
science. It was during these years that he was introduced to the Blues. He
soon became immersed in the local blues scene. He spent a great deal of time
at legendary blues clubs such as: Queen Bee's and Theresa's Lounge; he
learned from such stalwart harmonica players like: Big Walter Horton, James
Cotton, Junior Wells and Carey Bell.  He made his first recording for
Barrelhouse Records and began to work as an apprentice harp player in Willie
Dixon's Chicago Blues All-Stars. He eventually replaced Carey Bell and
worked with Willie Dixon for six years.  

 

Billy has recorded and/or performed with an incredible list of Blues legends
including: Muddy Waters, Big Walter Horton, Son Seals, Lonnie Brooks, Koko
Taylor, Johnny Winter, and Albert King. In 1990, he appeared with three harp
legends: Carey Bell, Junior Wells, and James Cotton on W.C Handy Award
winner, Harp Attack! 

 


Billy is also passing on the blues tradition to a new generation through his
Blues In The Schools program. He is a dedicated blues educator and has
taught in the Chicago school system for over twenty years as part of the
Urban Gateways Project. While in Colorado, Billy will present several Blues
In The Schools programs, in conjunction with the Colorado Blues Society.

 

Blues producer, Chicago Beau has written, "Billy Branch has become a beacon,
and model for his times; as an artist, and social/cultural activist... Billy
Branch is a Bluesman; Billy Branch is the Blues."

  

Appearing with Billy will be three of Colorado's finest blues harp players -
Northern Blues recording artist, Dan Treanor, Al Chesis, leader of the Delta
Sonics, one of the top Blues Bands in the Rocky Mountain region and Ronnie
Shellist, the finest young harp player playing the Colorado blues scene
today.  Backing up all the harp players will be a top notch band made up of
some of Colorado's finest blues musicians -  David Booker and Paul Niemiec
on guitar, Jody Woodward on bass and Doug Bainbridge on drums.

A couple of "special guest vocalists" are also slated to appear.

 

The show will begin at 8pm and the tickets will be $10 at the door.

The Oriental Theater is located at, 4335 W. 44th. Ave., Denver, CO 80212
303-455-2124

More info. contact - Dan Treanor 303-422-0364 or daniel2102@xxxxxxxxxxx     

 

If live in the area or are just passing through, don't miss the opportunity
to see this outstanding show!

 

Thanks, Kim