Michael Pickett - August 6th - Black Angus Restaurant 6:30pm - St. Marys ON
MICHAEL PICKETT
In the 70s, 80s, and 90s Michael Pickett established himself as a musically ground-breaking, electrifying singer/songwriter/harmonica player, surrounding himself with some of the top musicians in the country, earning multiple awards and two JUNO nominations.
Today, Pickett is one of Canada's primo solo acoustic roots, blues, americana singer/songwriters who tours internationally performing in festivals, clubs, coffee houses, theatres, and on concert stages. A citizen of the world, his roots run deep.
"I was glued to my seat and rendered speechless as he whipped off song after song of passionate, searingly gorgeous blues tracks on a well-loved Gibson acoustic guitar and, what was clearly his favourite, an original 1931 National Steel Duolian. The sounds he wrung from the necks of these instruments, as well as a plethora of harmonicas, were dredged straight from the depths of the Mississippi, caked in Delta mud and as harrowing as any blues songs I've ever heard. His fingers flew and his voice growled, cried and laughed as he expertly took us through the gamut of human emotions as only the best blues can muster them. He told stories between songs that completed the atmosphere, self-effacingly proving my point that this gentleman is a performer to revere." A.Stewart [Knox Acoustic Cafe review)
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"Compelling, brilliant, and unique! An eclectic and captivating 'Roots' storyteller /songwriter a la Delta Blues, Country, Americana, delivered with muscular guitar riffs, virtuoso award winning harmonica, and a voice dripping with sly insights. Forget the awards. Forget the standing ovations. Michael Pickett is a must see!!!" B.Pulford
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"One of the finest harmonica players of all time." Lee Oskar
"I had a vision that he was gonna be one of the best. In my book he is." Hubert Sumlin
"An amazing artist who breathes new life into the Blues with energy and charisma." Downeast (USA)
"His [songs] transcend the urban Blues idiom." Billboard
"He's got it folks! A real student of the Blues." Sing Out! (USA)
"One of Canada's top acoustic Blues artists." Blues Revue (USA)
"Gives good chase to John Hammond on guitar and leaves him behind on harp!" Blues Matters! (UK)
"Occupying center stage is Pickett whose talents on harmonica and resophonic guitar shine throughout." Performing Songwriter (USA)
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Has played with and/or shared the stage with James Cotton . Jeff Healey . Bo Diddley . Koko Taylor . Downchild Blues Band . John Hammond . Matt "Guitar" Murphy . Doug Kershaw . Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith . Snooky Pryor . Sunnyland Slim . Lazy Lester . Tom Rush . Josh White Jr . Rory Block . Matt Minglewood . T.Graham Brown . Kentucky Headhunters . Hubert Sumlin . Taj Mahal . Muddy Waters . Son Seals . Big Bill Morganfield . Robert Cray . Buddy Guy . Jon Cleary . Tea Party . Anthony Gomes . Lee Oskar. Gary Nicholson . The Players . Fortunate Sons . Colin Linden . Brian Stoltz . George Porter Jr . Watermelon Slim . Lee Oskar . Mark Hummell . Jerry Portnoy, and more.
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A seasoned veteran of participating in and/or leading harmonica/acoustic guitar/ songwriting workshops Pickett has been giving instruction (harmonica/acoustic guitar) for more than 30 years.
www.michaelpickett.com
www.youtube.com/michaepickettsolo
www.myspace.com/michaelpickettsolo
www.sonicbids.com/michaelpickett