WOMAD 2009 Featured Artist: Brendan Power: Ireland

WOMAD 2009 Featured Artist: Brendan Power (Ireland/NZ)

UK -based New Zealander Brendan Power is acknowledged by many as one of the most creative, skilled & versatile harmonica players around today. Equally at ease on both the earthy Blues Harp as well as the sophisticated Chromatic Harmonica, he tunes them to his own scales to create a highly original style. He has recorded fifteen solo CDs to date, in a wide variety of musical genres.

Since he moved to Britain in 1992, Brendan’s eclectic skills and sympathetic ear have made him an in-demand session player, leading to live and recording work with artists such as Sting, James Galway, Van Morrison, Paul Young, Shirley Bassey, John Williams and many more. His playing is also heard on many Hollywood movie soundtracks (eg. the 2007 Oscar winning soundtrack for 'Atonement'), and BBC TV series. He’s featured on the internationally syndicated Jools Holland Show and toured worldwide, performing in venues such as China’s Great Hall of the People and The Kremlin.

In addition to his Pop, Jazz and Blues skills, Brendan is an expert player of Irish traditional music (winning the 1993 All Ireland Title), and performed for three years as soloist in the Riverdance Show. He has recorded with well-known Irish artists such as Donal Lunny, Altan, Paul Brady, Arkady, Artie McGlynn, Mary Black and others. A respected harmonica technician and customiser, Brendan is employed by Suzuki Musical Instruments Co. of Japan as their International Harmonica Specialist.

www.brendan-power.com

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