Member Since: 12/11/2006
Band Website: johnolearyb.com
Band Members:
THE BAND
JOHN O'LEARY
(vocals/harmonica)
Blues harp player and singer, John O'Leary has long been part of the British Blues Scene.
John's career began in 1965 with the formation of SAVOY BROWN'S BLUES BAND. He has gone on to play with some prominent musicians and bands. These include SAVOY BROWN, THE JOHN DUMMER BLUES BAND, BRUNNING/HALL SUNFLOWER, JEROME ARNOLD (ex Paul Butterfield)), MAINSQUEEZE, New Orleans pianist CHAMPION JACK DUPREE, ALEXIS KORNER, AYNSLEY DUNBAR, RORY GALLAGHER, Chicago's EDDIE 'GUITAR' BURNS, NOEL REDDING (Jimi Hendrix Experience), ERIC BELL(Thin Lizzy), folk singer DONOVAN, DAVE KELLY, TONY MCPHEE, VICTOR BROX and the late great saxophonist DICK HECKSTALL-SMITH.
John was one of the pioneering blues harp players in the UK. Originally from Ireland, John's family emigrated and settled in London in 1955. It was here in London's thriving jazz clubs of the 1960's that he first heard harp player Cyril Davies with Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated. John bought his first harmonica in 1962 and learned by listening and watching Davies. John Mayall's came down from Manchester and provided more inspiration. 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. As a harp player, the great landmarks which shaped John's style of playing were the recordings of Muddy Waters at Newport, Junior Wells's "Hoodoo Man Blues" and in seeing Paul Butterfield on his first trip to the UK the. Although these great players still retain their influences over him today, John has carved out a style of his own. "John's first blast on the harmonica confirms his identity". (Blues Matters Magazine).
DAVID DAY (guitar/vocals)
ROGER INNISS (bass/vocals)
"MR JOOLS" GRUDGINGS (keyboards/vocals)
WAYNE PROCTOR (drums)
John O'Leary uses microphones customized by SUKM...
Influences:.
Type of Label: Unsigned