Harry Oman (guitar, vocals), with RJ Spangler (drums) Chris Rumel (bass) in the Harmonica Shah Band. I also play as a trio with Chris Bracey (drums) and Kevin Gall (bass).
Influences
B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Magic Sam, T-Bone Walker, Otis Rush, Howlin' Wolf, Lazy Lester, Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown, Junior Parker, John Lee Hooker, Pee Wee Crayton, Elmore James, Hollywood Fats, Guitar Slim, Otis Spann, Eddie Taylor, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Walter Horton, Jimmy Rogers, Hubert Sumlin, Junior Watson, Bo Diddley, James Harman, etc. You get the idea....
Sounds Like
"I don't play a lot of fancy guitar. I don't want to play it. The kind of guitar I want to play is mean, mean licks." -John Lee Hooker
I got my start as a blues guitarist from my Mom's record collection; in the early 1960s she witnessed the performances of John Lee Hooker, Sonny Terry, Mississippi John Hurt, Rev. Gary Davis, and more. I listened to the John Lee Hooker "Travelin" lp, as well as Blind Lemon Jefferson and Leadbelly, when I was in gradeschool. I always had a fascination for guitar, and I owe Lansing harmonica player Lee Scott and Detroit drummer RJ Spangler a debt of gratitude for "hipping" me to some of the finer points of Blues music.
I've played around the U.S and Canada with some of my musical heroes, the fabulous Alberta Adams (Detroit's Queen of the Blues), and I've played a few gigs with blues singer and harp player/icon James Harman. I've also played gigs with Eddie Kirkland, Uncle Jesse White, and Chicagoan Eddie C. Campbell, and others.
I've worked extensively as guitar player for Detroit bluesman Harmonica Shah. We have played in Chicago, Alabama, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Florida, and Canada (Montreal, London, Windsor, etc).
I play with Harmonica Shah at some old school Detroit yard parties in the summer, at Val's house or at John's Junkyard. Shah has introduced me to some of the classic bluesmen such as Little Jr Cannaday, and Emmanuel Young.
Detroit drum legend Duke Dawson and guitarist Joey "Kingfish" have joined Shah and I on gigs, as have Billy Davis (ex Hank Ballard guitarist) and Chuck Cole (John Lee Hooker sideman). Other fine musicians I have played with: Thornetta Davis, Little Ed and the Imperials, Cee Cee Collins, Doug Deming, Larry McCray, Kenny Miller, Hank Mowry, Cubie, Buck the Preacher, Juanita Dixon, Sassy Wilson, Garfield Angove.
I would like to thank everyone that I play with, especially Detroit drummer RJ Spangler, and Chris Rumel (bass).
LEFTHAND FREDDY (NL) MANDVILLE feat. THE BLUES CROWNS (USA/NL) THE JUKE JOINTS (NL) GUY FORSYTH (USA)
Saterday 10 may 2008
PHIL BEE AND THE BUZZTONES (NL) BIG BLIND (NL) HOMEMADE JAMZ' BLUES BAND (USA) SUGAR RAY NORCIA feat. THE NERVOUS FELLAS (USA/NL) SEAN CARNEY feat. GENE WALKER (USA) MARCEL SCHERPENZEEL PLAYS RORY GALLAGHER (NL) MOFO PARTY BAND (USA)
I'll be performing with MSU Jazz Band II on Monday if you & Julie feel like coming out. It's at the MSU Music Bldg Auditorium at 7:30. Some serious "in your face" horns on this one.
Hi Harry,hope this finds you well and that you had a good summer? The music sounds as great as ever.If you'd ever be interested in airtime on 'Helsinki's Blues Cafe' please get in touch Have a great week end Geoff
Just checking on some of my Myspace friends. Hope all is well. Nice to see you again. If you got the time, check out new videos at my place. Best from /Pelle