- Label: None
- Label Type: unsigned
- About:
The band is led by blues harp player and singer, John O'Leary longtime part of the British Blues Scene.
John's career began in 1965 with the formation of SAVOY BROWN'S BLUES BAND. Since those days he has gone on to play with some prominent musicians and bands. Some of these include SAVOY BROWN, THE JOHN DUMMER BLUES BAND, BRUNNING/HALL, JEROME ARNOLD (ex Paul Butterfield)), MAINSQUEEZE, the old time New Orleans pianist CHAMPION JACK DUPREE, ALEXIS KORNER, drummer AYNSLEY DUNBAR, RORY GALLAGHER, EDDIE 'GUITAR' BURNS, NOEL REDDING (The Jimi Hendrix Experience), ERIC BELL (Thin Lizzy), folk singer, DONOVAN, DAVE KELLY, TONY MCPHEE, VICTOR BROX and the late great saxophonist DICK HECKSTALL-SMITH.
The JOHN O'LEARY BAND is a potent mix of blues, funk , rock and has been described as "blues harp meets The Mahavishnu Orchestra". It is a not just a showcase for the leader but also for the extraordinary talents of JULES FOTHERGILL (guitar), ROGER INNISS (bass), JOOLS GRUDGINGS (keys) and JOACHIM GREVE (drums). In forming the band, John wanted to create something that was a departure from the familiar blues scenario in which the spotlight is on one person and all the other members of the band are there simply to back him up. "I'm tired of just listening to one person doing their own thing whilst everyone else is left in the shade! I wanted EACH member of the band to show what they can do both collectively and as a soloist. There is a jazz ethos in the way we play. The band is therefore NOT about me, it's about ALL of us". From constant live performances in the blues clubs up and down the country the band has now earned a reputation as "a box of fireworks" and has become a potent force on the European blues scene.
The band has recorded a CD "SINS" and a DVD "LIVE AT THE ROADHOUSE". A new CD has just recorded "LIVE AT MR.KYPS" and is scheduled for release in 2008.
- Members:
John O'Leary - Vocals/harmonica
Jules Fothergill - Guitar
Jools Grudgings - Keyboards
Roger Inniss - Bass
Joachim Greve - Drums
- Influences: from Country Blues to Weather Report...it's all there somewhere
- Sounds Like: progressive blues
- Member Since: 2008-01-21
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