wide spread however The Rolling Stones and Beatles turned me on to Rhythm and Blues and all black american music..then people such as John Hammond, Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder took me into a journey of the Roots of American Black Music. My sound is a big melting pot of all that those people turned me on to, as well as their music.
Born in Alexandria, Egypt and migrated to Perth
in 1963, I was drawn to the Blues at an early age and taught
myself the harmonica and Delta Blues style Gtr. In 1968 I
formed my first band "King Biscuit Co" as well as writing my
own songs.
After playing in several bands,in 1975 I formed a
band called The Elks which was to introduce to the mainstream
the Chicago style of Blues, this took us out of Perth and touring
the South West and across to major cities in the Eastern States.
We had the opportunity to support B.B King, Rory Gallagher,
Joe Cocker and Ike &Tina Turner. We recorded an album
"Refer to Drawer" which is now a sought after Australian Blues
album by blues affeciandos. In 1981 I recorded some of the
material that I had written and worked in a duo with Brian
Fitzgerald called The Deltatones. We worked in cafe's,
folkfestival's, small bar's and supported John Mayall, Mick
Jagger, John Hammond and Leo Kottke.
In 1983 we recorded an album "Me & the Devil" as
well as a cassette "Harp of the West" which featured some of
W.A's most prominent harmonica player's. Both of these
recording's are also sought after blues fans alike. Going solo
again I had the pleasure to play with such acts as The Black
Sorrows, Paul Kelly,Bondi Cigar's and Cold Chisel. I was
also invited to feature as vocalist and harmonica on The Black
Sorrows b/ side of the Harley and Rose 7" c.d single Rattle
your Cage.
From '92-'95 I was the oppening act at The
Bindoon Rock Festival and have been a part of Blues at
Bridgetown since it's inception in 1993. During this period I was
busking in the streets of Northbridge every fri and sat night
occasionally with other players joining me, during this period I
got the chance to start touring throughout outback w.a. playing
in pubs, aboriginal communities, schools and many royal shows.
1995 saw the release of my 1st c.d. 'Track me Down' for
which I was awarded 'outstanding recording' at that years Blues
at Bridgetown. In '96, with John Wilson, I toured Victoria, Sth
Australia and Tasmania receiving wide media and radio
coverage, back in W.A., two tracks off the cd were contracted to
channel 7's Better Homes and Garden's (Kimberley Sunset &
Kentucky Trail).
1998 saw the release of my second cd 'Afrika Tide' again
toured the eastern states and got a good response for this.
While there I had the opportunity to record with some friends
from perth and came up with my next c.d Ivan Zar's Deltatones.
Back in Perth I was contracted to play in a modern ballet 'You
lean on me, I lean on you', this piece is still occasionally aired
on Access 31 (Perth). March 1999 I was awarded "best song' in
the blues category at the West Australian Blues Awards for
Burnin' Love(afrika tide). A chance meeting in May 2003 with
13 yr old Ben Witt saw us working in local pubs and a live
recording at the Perth Blues Club in june, we also performed at
Bridgetown Blues in 2004 and 2006. In dec 2005 I worked with
Dom Di Blasio touring the north west and performing at
Bridgetown Blues that year. I also produced Dom's debut c.d
'Highway' in march '06. Both Ben and I were invited to be part
of the West Australian showcase at Goulburn Blues Festival
in N.S.W(2007) and in oct 2006 I released Vol 1 of a 4c.d. Box
Set "Rhythm & Jump Time 81-87' .
Heyyyy Ivan , longtime no see , hows life treating you eh ?? Hope your well and lifes still making you smile Have yourself a great one this weekend x Michelle :0)
I was at Blues at Bridgetown last year, and was looking for you, but I couldn't find you anywhere. Anyhow, I listen to the CD's you gave me often. I really think highly of your music, and your musical tenacity. You seem to be performing everywhere!
When are you next performing in Geraldton or Dongara? I'd be keen for a jam session or to open for you, or even just to catch up and see how you are.
If you're bored or curious, have a look at some of my music. The recording quality is very unprofessional (I've cut all the songs in my shed, can't expect the best I suppose), but it's in the mastering stage now and I've got a debut CD coming out soon. Some feedback would be brilliant.
Anyhow, take care, really good finding you on here and listening to some of your music besides what I have (especially liked 'Can't Be Satisfied'...)
