Omar Coleman

Artist Information

Biography

Visit Official Flash Website www.omarcoleman.com

Since deciding to fully pursue a career in music in 2010, Omar Coleman has impressively recorded 3 full albums, performed 30 overseas dates in 12 countries, and performed as feature vocalist for more than 10 professionally touring bands. Omar has the personality, sound, and passion of the late greats Junior Wells and James Brown and hopes to reach similar acclaim with his own career. Perhaps visit one of the four real deal blues joints in Chicago and ask about Omar Coleman. No tricks, no games.... just blues.

Omar Coleman, 35, has established himself as one of the nation's premier harmonica players and blues vocalist alive today, billed on festivals with legends like Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Ruth Brown, and Robert Randolph. With a voice soulful beyond his years, Omar has been impressing audiences across the nation with his genuine, seasoned harmonica skills and vocals. Omar is known to interact directly with his audience, befriending an entire audience.

HIS STORY

Born and raised on Chicago's west side in 1973, Omar Coleman was exposed to the sounds of Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, and Junior Wells, Sam Cooke, O.V. Wright, James Brown, at a young age. He would internalize these artist's talents and create his own career as a musician later in life. It wasn't until 2003 that Omar began playing Harmonica publicly. Throughout the next few years he became highly respected as a young harpist. Unexpectedly, his role as Harmonica player soon transformed into lead vocalist when he casually began singing during shows. He quickly became respected and instructed by blues leaders Billy Branch and Sugar Blue. His career has take a turn for the best starting in 2010 when was asked to perform overseas with the Sean Carney Band. Omar recently found a love for composing, and began writing and recording his own material. Imagine Warren Haynes meets Al Green.




During his international touring debut in September of 2011, Omar completed a successful seven country European Tour as the featured vocalist and harpist for the Sean Carney Band. While there, Omar promoted his newest release “Very Lucky Man” which he produced and recorded with Sean. After a well received response from blues fans, the band returned to Europe this past Spring for 14 dates in 7 countries. As we speak, Omar is currently in Spain promoting his most recent release. “Omar Coleman – West Side Wiggle” which features Omar Coleman and backed by three Grammy winning/nomined sidemen: Billy Flynn, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, and Bob Stroger. Omar continues to record on numerous albums as a studio musician and writer.

You may have seen Omar Coleman working throughout ChicagoLand & Northwest Indiana and across North America with the likes of the Kinsey Report, John Primer & the Real Deal Blues Band or the late-great Chico Banks, Buddy Guy, among many others. The future of Chicago Blues is being redefined by this harmonica virtuoso. Check out the OMAR COLEMAN BLUES BAND when they steamroll through your town with the soulfulest sound heard since the 60's.

Omar has performed at the San Francisco Blues Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Spain Blues Fest, Muddy Waters Festival of Westmont, etc. *** 'Blues in the Schools' Ambassador to Chicago Public Schools *** Featured on All-Star compilation - Diamonds in the Rough: Chicago Harmonica Project – Severn Records (2006) *** Headliner for “Blues for a Cure” Cancer Benefit Tour & CD in Columbus, OH (2007-2010) *** Mainstay in contemporary Chicago blues - appearing frequently at the Kingston Mines, B.L.U.E.S., Rosa's Blues Lounge, Buddy Guy's Legends, etc. Omar has performed with Louisiana Red, John Primer, Hubert Sumlin, Sean Carney & Henry Gray, Katherine Davis, Bob Stroger, Joanna Connor, Billy Flynn, Kinsey Report, Chico Banks, and hundreds more.

Instrumentation

Omar Coleman - Harmonica, Lead Vocals
Mike Morrison - Bass (of the Willie Dixon Band)
Full band also available
Dave Ross - Organ/Piano (of John Primer Band)
Kenny Smith - Drums (Grammy Winner)
Robert Fetzer - Guitar (of Son Seals Band)

Discography

Diamonds in the Rough - Chicago Blues Harmonica Project (2005)
West Side Wiggle - Honeybee Entertainment (2011)
Very Lucky Man - Omar Coleman And Sean Carney (2011)
Blues Cures 3 - Blues For A Cure (2012)

Official Website

http://www.omarcoleman.com

Links

• Official Site

Audio

• Omar Coleman - Cut You Loose (Edit)
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• Sell My Monkey
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• One Request (2012)
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• Nineteen Years Old
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• Dim The Lights
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• She's Too Fast For Me edit fade
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• The312blues's Channel - YouTube
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• You Got A Hold On Me edit
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• I Was A Fool - 2012
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• Tryin To Do Right
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Video

I Was A Fool

Photo Gallery

Press

• Top CD Reviews 2012 - Living Blues Magazine (Chicago's highest circulated blues magazine) [+ Show ]
  

  "At age 38, Coleman represents a bright ray of hope on the Chicago blues scene, and his is a debut t..."At age 38, Coleman represents a bright ray of hope on the Chicago blues scene, and his is a debut that’s not to be missed."
  
  -Jim DeKoster
  
  
  Billy Branch protégé Omar Coleman made his recording debut on the 2005 Severn CD Chicago Harmonica Project and also contributed a couple of tracks to 2010’s Louisiana Swamp Stomp on Honeybee. Lately, he’s been touring and recording with Sean Carney and now has returned to Honeybee to release this, his first full-length recording under his own name.
  
  For the occasion, Honeybee and Coleman brought together a band of Chicago’s first-call accompanists, with Billy Flynn on guitar, Bob Stroger on bass, and Kenny Smith on drums. The 13-track playlist finds Coleman paying homage to Little Walter on Ah’w Baby and Crazy Mixed Up World, his covers of Slim Harpo’s Scratch My Back and Lightnin’ Hopkins’ Mojo Hand (sans bass) that graced Louisiana Swamp Stomp are reprised, and there’s a version of Tampa Red’s It Hurts Me Too (sans drums) that gives Flynn a chance to show off his exquisite touch with a slide. The other eight songs are all Coleman originals and are all solidly within the Chicago blues tradition, from the rocking opener You Got a Hold on Me to the slow blues She’s Too Fast for Me, with rolling piano from Aryio and echoes of Sammy Lawhorn from Flynn. (I Am) Tryin’ to Do Right is a crisp shuffle in the Little Walter tradition, I Know You Been Cheatin’ has a Latin rhythmic twist, I’m a Good Provider features a stop-and-go pattern, and Sit Down Girl, with Brian Leach guesting on organ, recalls some of Willie Kent’s deepest grooves while providing one of the set’s best vehicles for Coleman’s potent vocals. The program is rounded out by West Side Wiggle and Guardinara Blues, both of which are way-up instrumentals save for a brief vocal chorus on the latter.
  
  —Jim DeKoster
  
  Founded as America’s first blues publication in Chicago in 1970, Living Blues magazine has set the standard for blues journalism around the world. From its first issue featuring blues legend Howlin’ Wolf on the cover, Living Blues has provided fans with insightful, in-depth stories on such legendary blues artists as Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Koko Taylor, and John Lee Hooker. In addition, Living Blues focuses on true creative originals like Otha Turner, Chris Thomas King, and Super Chikan, artists often overlooked by other blues press.

• Top 20 Most Radio Plays 2011/2012
  

  Omar Coleman, West Side Wiggle, Ranked 13 in highest Illinois Radio spins

• Omar Coleman releases "West Side Wiggle" with Grammy Nominees [+ Show ]
  

  West Side Wiggle, a 100% old-school Chicago blues CD featuring both original compositions and old cl...West Side Wiggle, a 100% old-school Chicago blues CD featuring both original compositions and old classics. Omar Coleman makes his Honeybee Entertainment debut backed by three of the Windy City’s best sidemen: Billy Flynn, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, and Bob Stroger.

• Omar Coleman CD supports Northern Louisiana Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Foundation
  

  Learn more about Honeybee Entertainment's Chicago Blues CD and support brain injury research.

• January 2012 Top Radio Spins [+ Show ]
  

  13. Sharrie Williams, Out Of The Dark, Electro-Fi 14. Sugar Ray & The Bluetones, Evening, Severn...13. Sharrie Williams, Out Of The Dark, Electro-Fi
  
  14. Sugar Ray & The Bluetones, Evening, Severn
  
  15. Harrison Kennedy, Shame The Devil, Electro-Fi
  
  16. Mac Arnold & His Plate Full O' Blues, Blues Revival: Live At The Grey Eagle, Vizztone
  
  17. Omar Coleman, West Side Wiggle, Honeybee
  
  18. Dave Maxwell & Otis Spann, Conversations In Blue, Circumstanial/Vizz.
  
  19. Johnny Winter, Roots, Megaforce
  
  
  Founded as America’s first blues publication in Chicago in 1970, Living Blues magazine has set the standard for blues journalism around the world. From its first issue featuring blues legend Howlin’ Wolf on the cover, Living Blues has provided fans with insightful, in-depth stories on such legendary blues artists as Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Koko Taylor, and John Lee Hooker. In addition, Living Blues focuses on true creative originals like Otha Turner, Chris Thomas King, and Super Chikan, artists often overlooked by other blues press.

• Sirius XM Radio's Bluesville Channel chooses Omar Coleman album as "Picks to Click" [+ Show ]
  

  Bill Wax Rack Of Blues Saturdays 10 am ET Mondays 12 pm & Wednesdays 12 am ET We count down the ...Bill Wax
  Rack Of Blues
  Saturdays 10 am ET
  Mondays 12 pm & Wednesdays 12 am ET
  We count down the weekly "Picks To Click" -- the newest blues platters from number 15 to number 1, in order and uninterrupted.

• Omar Coleman Plays Chicago Blues Festival 2012 - Chicago Tribune [+ Show ]
  

  Omar Coleman and Friends perform on the Pepsi Front Porch stage on the final day of the Chicago Blue...Omar Coleman and Friends perform on the Pepsi Front Porch stage on the final day of the Chicago Blues Festival — photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune, June 10, 2012

• Chicago Tribune interviews Omar Coleman about new talent in Chicago's Blues [+ Show ]
  

  "This is just another outlet for the blues," said Omari Coleman, 33, a harmonica player whose band, ..."This is just another outlet for the blues," said Omari Coleman, 33, a harmonica player whose band, the Troubled Minds, kicked off Blueblood Sundays (and will return this Sunday). "Those who can't hang out late at night on a Sunday now have another outlet. And we have another outlet to get an audience."

• Omar Coleman to Tour Belgium
  

  See link. Promotional article for Tour

Setlist

Steppin In Steppin Out
It Hurts Me Too
Going Down
Cut You Loose
You Got A Hold On Me
One Request
I Was A Fool
Sweet Home Chicago
Born And Raised
Good Provider
Country Bound
Knock On Wood
Hold On I'm Coming
Driving Wheel
Trying To Do Right
Somebody Hurt Me
Nineteen Years Old
Long Distance Call
The Weight
Wishing Well
Green Light

Basic Requirements

Calendar