Artists

CRAIG BRACKEN Harmonica man for the Darcy Perry Band and the Blue Devils, Craig began his musical career fronting Guava Groove back in the 1980's. In 2006 he co-founded the record label Roots Music Aotearoa with Darcy Perry and Paul Merriott. Harmonica Masters of New Zealand marks Craig's first effort as a producer. An indepth knowledge of the New Zealand roots music scene and a life-long love of the instrument made him perfect for the role. Craig recently played support for Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, shared the bill with The Holmes Brothers and performed on stage with Watermelon Slim. www.darcyperry.co.nz
DEREK ‘HAGGIS’ MAGUINESS Derek 'Haggis' Maguiness started out as a trumpeter and it was at the age of 17, after hearing the harp on the 'Blues Bros' soundtrack, that the seed was placed. By the age of 22 he was touring Australia playing harp in a 'Blues Bros' tribute showband. After this he decided that this was the instrument for him. He has played with a number of people including Neil Finn, Doc Neeson (The Angels), Kevin Borich, Phil Emanuel, Jeff Lang, Barry Charles and a support gig for Sir Bob Geldof.
PERI GRANT Awaiting bio/profile.
JACK CRAW Jack joined Palmys first jug band "The Nash St Jug Band" around 1970, initially on tea chest bass, then harp. This band became even lesser known as Railway Pie & The Best Bets! From the mid-1980s, Jack has led electric blues outfit Smokestack, out of Whangarei. The Stack is still active, plays many festivals, has a long list of local alumni, with 1995 album "Mess Is Law" and new album near completion. Strangely the Pie still plays festivals, and has a 1999 CD "Railway Pie". He also plays in Auckland jazz-blues band Gumbo. His influences include Noah Lewis, Big Walter, both Sonny Boys and Canonball Adderley. 'Playing in a band is cheaper than owning a zoo, but the cleaning up is the same"
SHAYN WILLS Shayn Hurricane Wills - (guitar, harmonica, vocals) from Auckland has been an innovator and performer of acoustic folk Blues in the Auckland music scene for more than two decades. He has supported the likes of Albert King, Robert Cray, Junior Wells, Wayne Toupes, Ted Hawkins, Robert Penn, Ralph McTell, Steeleyespan and Duke Robillard, and released several albums. His latest is called Rich Ruby and will be released soon. homepages.ihug.co.nz/~ shayn /
BRIAN GLAMUZINA & STINGRAY One of the stongest and most individual harp players in New Zealand. Brian Glamuzina has had a large underground following of blues aficionados ever since his early days with the renowned Willie Dayson Blues Band. He has played with Carey Bell, Charlie Musslewhite and blues pianist Big Moose Walker. Currently he has a successful partnership with the legendary American lap steel guitarist Glenn Ross Cambell in the West Coast styled band Stingray. They were the highlight of the 2007 Waiheke Jazz and Blues Festival.
KERI BETTI & INDIGO BLUE INDIGO BLUE is an Auckland-based Blues Group with music inspired by the traditional and original Chicago and British Blues. Formed two years ago, the band focuses on the harmonica playing of Keri Betti, guitar stylists Allan King & Steve Hughes, bass player Allister Taylor and drummer Garry Betti. The band members have had international and national experience and have a strong passion for original Blues!
BRENDAN POWER New Zealand harmonica player and composer Brendan Power is acknowledged by many as one of the most versatile and creative harp players around today. He has recorded with the likes of Sting, Van Morrison, Paul Young, Mary Black, James Galway, John Williams, and Paul Brady. He also toured the world for three years with Riverdance. Brendan has recorded several CDs and sells hand-made custom harmonicas from his website www.brendan-power.com
NATE TAIAPA From the first time Nate heard 'Checking Up On My Baby' by Sonny Boy Williamson II and 'Walk On' by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee he was hooked on the harmonica. He couldn't get enough of it and went out and bought all the albums he could that featured harmonica. Nate now hosts The Blues Room programme on Community Radio Hamilton and is a "full-blowin" member of the Hamilton Blues Society. www.communityradio.co.nz
AARON CARPENTER Aaron Carpenter's explosive right-hand rhythm style together with the harmonica and vocals make him in his own right a one-man-band. He claims influences of Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Rory Gallagher – it is easy to hear them blurring into his own songs and the songs he chooses to cover, making them his own. He often lends songs a bluesy feel that has the audience cutting up the dance floor. As for me, I enjoyed the charged atmosphere and a musician clearly enjoying his moment. Henk Van Ross T&T Magazine, Brussels , Belgium
MIKE GARNER Mike Garner is a musician living and working in Aotearoa - New Zealand. He grew up listening to and playing blues in England and moved to New Zealand in 1988. He lives in Rotorua - tourist capital of NZ and a wonderland of geysers, mountain lakes and volcanic activity. Mike has played in New Zealand, England, Australia, Italy and Germany. His 5th CD Cad's Alley was released in January 2007.www.mikegarner.co.nz
GRAHAM CLARK Frontman for Brilleaux (hi-energy electric R&B band from the Bay of Plenty), Graham taught himself to play listening to 'The Boys Light Up' by Aussie Crawl and 'Blue Lady' by Hello Sailor. "I never thought twice about it - just got a harp and worked it out for myself." Lee Brilleaux hauled him up on stage on two separate occasions during the Feelgoods last ever tour of New Zealand. Graham has so far released four albums, combining classic songs with smart originals.www.brilleaux.orcon.net.nz
GRANT BULLOT Born and bred in Tauranga, Grant Bullot has always had an interest in all aspects of the arts. In his late teens, Grant departed for the South Island on a hitch-hiking adventure. Not keen to lug a guitar around the Mainland, he decided a harmonica might be a better travelling companion and so unwittingly set off on the road to financial and moral depravity. He is a founding member of the legendary kiwi band, Kokomo. www.kokomo-music.co.nz
MIDGE MARSDEN Midge Marsden is virtually without equal. His career spans four decades, he has played thousands of concerts to countless people and he has performed with a list of artists that reads like a definitive Who's Who of New Zealand Rock. In 1990 he was voted New Zealand Entertainer of the Year and later his critically acclaimed album 'Burning Rain' went gold. Carry My Blues Away is featured on Midge's latest album Travel 'N Time (Liberation Music).www.strawberryfields.co.nz/midgeweb/midge.htm
DARCY PERRY The Darcy Perry Band entered the national charts in 2006 with their 3rd album Heavy Rain and have shared the bill with Pluto, Golden Horse, the Hot Grits and half the artists on this album. Darcy was 18 when Te Kuiti Highschool friend, Stephen Chadwick, gifted him a Huang Star Performer. Sonny Terry was an early influence and Darcy says he's been playing those same few licks for the past two decades! Recently Darcy played support for Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, shared the bill with The Holmes Brothers and performed on stage with Watermelon Slim. www.darcyperry.co.nz
ERNA FERRY A star of the World Blues Revue along side Robben Ford and Long John Baldry. Erna has also recorded 3 CD's, the first “Devil May Care” being nominated as a finalist in the New Zealand Tui Awards for Jazz Recording of the Year. Her latest CD (yet to be released) was recorded in Los Angeles with Joe LaBarbera (drums), Tom Warrington (bass), Larry Koonse (guitar) and guest appearances by saxophonist Bob Sheppard and trumpet Clay Jenkins. Midge Marsden said the tradition of New Zealand female blues is in good hands with Erna Ferry.
TURA “BULLFROG” RATA One of New Zealand's premier blues artists who has notched up an impressive list of support slot credits which include among others, Tina Turner, Jethro Tull, Taj Mahal, Charley Pride, Junior Wells, Keb Mo' and Canned Heat. He has played for gang members in Taumaranui and for New Zealand Diplomats on the top floor of New Zealand House in London. Although he is renowned as a slide guitarist and sideman for Midge Marsden, Tura is also a master of the harmonica. www.bullfrograta.co.nz