Harpdog Brown loves where he’s at. He may not make a lot of money making music, but the Edmonton born, Vancouver based bluesman is just happy has been able to make a living by making music for over 20 years.
He brings his trio to the Slice, Tuesday, Feb. 26 in support of a new CD “For Love & Money,” which will be officially released on April 26.
“I’ve had a lot of bosses all over Canada for the past 39 years. And if I don’t I like them I don’t have to go back,” said Harpdog Brown, who has taken home his share of awards including three consecutive Maple Blues Awards for Harmonica Player of the Year (2014/2015/2016), the Fraser Valley Music Award, has three consecutive Western Canadian Music Awards Nominations, a Juno Nomination and is the only Canadian to win the coveted Muddy Award. In 2016, he was nominated for 3 Maple Blues Awards (Harmonica Player, Male Vocalist and Album of the Year) for his latest release Travelin’ With The Blues. Travelin' With The Blues released in 2016 is listed as #9 on the Roots Music Report Top Classic Blues Albums of 2017.
“ I’m not saying there hasn’t been some drama, but it has been a lot of fun,” he continued, adding he plays with a full band, solo, or with his trio who will be coming with him, including keyboardist Dave Webb and clarinet/ saxophone player Billy Joe Abbott.
“This group is the most fun I’ve ever had playing with anyone,” he said.
The Lethbridge show is at the beginning of a 10 day long tour taking Harpdog Brown all over Alberta , north to Whitecourt and Stony Plain, then down to Lethbridge and through Saskatchewan to Regina, then Saskatoon where he will be playing the Saskatoon Blues Festival and back home.
“We played the Slice back in 2015. Jesse was really supportive of touring musicians and so is Derek,” he said.
He is excited to release the new album in April, having already released a couple of preview tracks from it “ A New Day is Dawning” and “Reefer Loving Woman.”
“ I love the new album. It sounds fabulous,” he said.
“I love early ’50s blues and jazz music,” he said adding there is a lot of that brass heavy sound on the new record.
“I love that vintage New Orleans sound,” he added, adding his band captures that brass heavy sound perfectly.
Harpdog Brown plays the Slice, Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m.
