Diz Watson performes solo, duo w/ 76 year old Tony Uter from Jazz Jamaica/ Bob Marley on congas or w/ his full 7 piece band.
Booking/ more info:
Hell Artist Booking
Ph. +47 95224677
hellbook@online.no
Influences
Fats Domino, Huey "Piano" Smith, Dr. John, James Booker and Professor Longhair
Diz Watson, musician, one of the rockinest piano players in the world - is a quintessential exponent of New Orleans style piano an exuberant mix of Barrel House, Rhythm and Blues, Rock 'n' Roll and Boogie Woogie - influenced by Fats Domino, Huey "Piano" Smith, Dr. John, James Booker and Professor Longhair. Recordings include critically acclaimed Bluecoat Man(Ace Records, London) with Fats Domino sidemen Walter Kimble, Roger Lewis and influential saxophonist Lee Allen; live album recorded with Dr. John, Such a Night (Spindrift Records).
Taking as his prime influence the piano style of New Orleans, a potent gumbo of Barrel House, Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Roll and Boogie Woogie, Diz "Honeybear" Watson is no one of it's quintessential exponents.This amalgam of style reached their apotheosis in the late 40's and early 50's with the playing of Archibald, Fats Domino, Huey "Piano" Smith and more contemporary musicians Dr. John and James Booker and the greatest of them all Professor Longhair A.K.A. Henry Roland Byrd, he being Diz's heaviest inspiration.
Diz was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa in l948, and at the age of 12 the family moved back to Yorkshire, England. Diz formed a friendship with the legendary "Champion" Jack Dupree, who had settled in Halifax a town not far away. "Jack really inspired me to the more prehistoric rolling sound of the piano and also the way to phrase the blues poetry."
When he left school Diz joined the Merchant Navy as a navigator travelling the globe. Five years later he settled in Plymouth where he studied the piano, having watched his mother playing years before. Diz perfected his style in various combo's, Juice on the Loose, The Barrel House Shufflers before forming the Doormen, a flexible entity, the nucleus of which was the great Kieran O'Connor; drums, Pete Scott,' bass and Pete Thomas; saxophone.
ln November 1981 Diz and the Doonnan recorded Bluecoat Man for Ace Records, London. This record received rave reviews from both sides of the Atlantic and the session included Fats Domino sideman Walter Kimble, Roger Lewis and King of them all Lee Allen, who after the session said Diz is one of the 'rockinest piano players in the wodd". Throughout the early 80's the band performed with many artists such as Alexis Korner, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Big Jay McNeely, Chas and Dave and opened for the Rolling Stones at the request of Ian Stuart (piano man and road manager for The Stones).
In 1983 the band became temporarily 'Dr John and the night trippers" when they toured the UK and headlined the Glastonbury C.N.D. Festival with Dr John culminating in a live album called Such a Night, recorded at the Albany Empire, London, for Spindrift Records.
Before disappearing to Europe in 1985,another album Rhumbalero was recorded for Ace Records, using a smaller line-up, more of a showcase for Diz.
Since Then Diz has heen living in Europe and making the occasional visit to the Caribbean & the U.S A. and he is now making quite a name lor himself in Ireland, "they like the humour" Says Diz, "especially when I do some of those old Cousin Joe tunes like Juice on the Loose and Evolution". Available for various shows: Solo, duo ( w/ 76 year old Tony Uter from Jazz Jamaica/ Bob Marley ) on congas or w/ his full band.
Hi everybody, We've finally moved the repair workshop from Jamaica Street to Otago Street in Glasgow's West End. We're now open for business again and hope to see you soon. Check the website for more details.Thanks for all the support,
Hello Diz, Many Thanks for the add. Love your piano playing very much !! Wish you many success !! Have an excellent day ! Musical Greetings, Rose-Marie,
FELICITACIONES POR TAN INCREIBLE TRABAJO. SOY PIANISTA COLOMBIANO Y ME GUSTA MUCHO TODO LO QUE HE PODIDO APRECIAR DE SU GRAN OBRA. UN ABRAZO DESDE COLOMBIA. JORGE ZAPATA
