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).
The JOHN O'LEARY BAND has recently changed it's name to JOHN O'LEARY'S SUGARKANE and remains a potent mix of blues, funk and rock. Blues Matters magazine described it as "blues harp meets The Mahravishnu Orchestra". With the change of name there has been no shift in the strong improvisional qualities of the band.
In latter part of 2008, long term drummer JOACHIM GREVE departed to live in the United States and was replaced by WAYNE PROCTOR. In June 2009 guitarist JULES FOTHERGILL decided to concentrate on his own band and has been replaced by guitarist and singer DAVID DAY whilst ROGER INNISS (bass) and JOOLS GRUDGINGS (keys) continue to form the backbone of the band.
With this band, John has thrown away the book on what harp led blues bands are about. It is a complete departure from the familiar blues scenario with the spotlight equally on all the members of the band. This is not a band that turns out over rehearsed neat 3 minute songs but rather it is a band that digs in deep to produce emotive, dynamic and extended improvisations unique on the UK blues related circut.
"I wanted every 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 and festivals up and down the country the band has earned a reputation as "a box of fireworks" and has become one of Britain's premier blues based bands.
....
..........
The John O'Leary Live @ The Roadhouse Birmingham
..
BOOKINGS
UK:- JG MUSIC AGENCY
Tel:- +44(0)7860488822 or +44(0)01162592521
Email:- info@johnolearyband.com or johnolearyband@hotmail.co.uk
HERE ARE SOME EXCERPS FROM RECENT REVIEWS
THE TIMES NEWSPAPER Weds. 9th JANUARY 2008
"O'Leary was simply superb. Bearing down on the reeds with such powerful, precise tone on numbers such as 'Snatch It Back & Hold It' and 'Checking On My Baby', he lifted the performance to a higher level every time he took to the stage"
GET READY TO ROCK(web) "the most successful fusion of traditional and contemporary blues grooves for as long as I can remember".
GET READY TO ROCK (web) The Great British R&B Festival, Colne 2006
"The classy John O’Leary Band opened the festival on the International Stage on Friday with a superb harp / guitar led funky blues set.....Particularly impressive was the hard hitting funk of Black Cat Bone, and the reflective Who’s Been Talking……………."
BLUES IN BRITAIN 2002 "masterful and bears an easy authority and ernestness that is instantly persuasive"
BLUES MATTERS MAGAZINE "the timeless spirit of the great Delmark artists lives on in these grooves"
....and if you really want to know what it sounds like buy our CD....
Personnel John O'Leary (vocals/harp), Jules Fothergill (guitar), Malcolm Bruce (keys), Dominique Vantomme (keys), David Hadley (bass), Joachim Greve (drums). Guest musicians: - Dave Walker (vocal), Tim O'Sullivan (guitar) and Lorna Reilly, Rietta Austin and Lucy London (vocals)
Titles include "Early In The Morning"/"Snatch It Back"/"I'm Tired"/"Who's Been Talking"/"Blue Water"/"Waiting For You"/"Everything"/"House Of Ice"/"Black cat Bone"/"Move Away"/"Chiswick Roundabout"/"Save My Soul"
TO ORDER CD'S OR FOR MORE REVIEWS, BIOGRAPHIES and PHOTOS, PLEASE GO TO OUR WEBSITE at www.johnolearyband.com
Thanks for the Add! Happy holidays and a great 2010.
Best wishes Robson & Kozlowski:)
Brand New Harmonica and Guitar duo Original Acoustic Blues and Americana.
"Scalding Harmonica" Time Out London "Harp Phenom" Chicago Blues Tour, Chicago "Fixating harmonica" Gallery Magazine UK "Great Harp and guitar, you cats play like you mean it" Sugar Blue
Ciao,John O’Leary Band Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, Band, and stupendous voice. compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis, I feel great admiration for you, be really one whom is worth rather a lot! I hope to listen soon to you, in italy .. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music all the best.. from italy.. and good life.. every day neal
Hi John...Kevin Thorpe 'ere....see you've got Proco in the band now! Got some new tunes up on Myspace and wondered if take a listen with a view to some harp....
Sorry for not having been in touch awhile - been rather busy! Just wanted to say that your valued friendship continues to be appreciated. Have you checked out my MySpace and web site (www.faberoptime.com) recently? Oh and did you subscribe for my free newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!)? You might also like to take a look at some of my vids on my YouTube channel too! www.youtube.com/faberoptime Take care and keep in touch. Best, Faber. "Just a guy trying to make the world a better place."
Ciao JOHN ,thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot,and stupendous voice. you are fantastic ..really. you are one of my prefeitis talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy neal
Ciao JOHN ,thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot,and stupendous voice. you are fantastic ..really. you are one of my prefeitis talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy neal
Ciao JOHN ,Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot,and stupendous voice. you are fantastic ..really. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy neal
Ciao John , Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your music a lot, and the splendid voice. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy neal
Ciao John , Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your music and the splendid voice. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy neal
Online Now!
