I play the major diatonic harmonica and was once described in a gig review as "The Hairy Bez of Blues Harp". That about sums me up. I have played harmonica in many countries with many bands in many genres. I like it when musicians listen to each other. It sounds obvious but I've met too many who don't and that's no good for anyone. I began as a bluesman but have since flirted with almost every style including punk, reggae, lounge, jazz, country, folk and hiphop. I've jammed with bongo players, spoon players, digereedoos and melodeons. Basically, I just like playing. Simple as that. Since the demise of The Derelicts (a band I was one fifth of for two years) I have been whoring myself out to as many groups as possible and have played with such masters as Marty Lapensee, Michael Chase, The King Blues, Nick Millevoi, Petty Thief, Andrew Yorke, The Atmospherics, Gideon Conn, The Last Drop, Whisky Cats and Dr Dog (and also feature on their new E.P. available now through Rough Trade in the UK and Park The Van Records in the USA). I play regularly in Manchester and the Northwest as frontman for the Black Velvet Band (see video clip below if you're interested) as well as harmonica player for "FIGMO", "The Dole Queue", "Paul the Doorman" and "The Keystone Band". If it's a harmonica sound you want then I'm your man.
You can also see me most days on market street in manchester busking with Al Baker, Matthew Cleghorn and Tom Cleghorn. That's the nearest thing I have to a job right now!
