Biography
In a relatively short period of time, virtuostic country jazz group the Bebop Cowboys Western Swing Orchestra have quickly become known as "Canada's Kings of Western Swing." They have developed a reputation for outstanding song arrangements and stellar musicianship, and each of the players brings an impressive set of influences and pedigree to the mix. Noted jazz guitarist Steve Briggs devises strong arrangements that portray a deep knowledge of and respect for the jazz and country-western canons. In addition to his long apprenticeship to the blues, harp player Howard Willett's whisky-soaked baritone voice offers reverential readings of classic western swing and country in a manner that clearly shows how dear this music is to his heart. And in steel player Burke Carroll (George Fox, Nathan, Justin Rutledge), drummer John Adames (Prairie Oyster), string bassist Dennis Pendrith (Bruce Cockburn), fiddler Drew Jurecka (Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards), piano guru John Sheard (Vinyl Cafe) and frequent participation from multi-instrumentalist Chris Whiteley (you name it), the Bebop Cowboys have the musical ingredients to serve up a hot brand of Western Swing rarely if ever heard outside Texas and Southern California. Most of all, they deliver the goods with the obvious excitement of top-shelf musicians playing for the sheer joy of it.
Initially introduced at the preschool their kids attended, Steve Briggs (guitar, band leader) and Howard Willett (harp, vocals)
started their musical relationship as a jazz-blues duo. After bringing together in-demand session players to complete the band, including pedal steel wiz Burke Carroll--a venerable touchstone for Canada's roots music scene--the Bebops polished their repertoire in a residency at Toronto's Cadillac Lounge and recorded their first CD, DEBUT. They then went on to pen their own original western swing tunes brought together with Briggs' formidable arranging skills, and released their critically-celebrated follow-up, SOME KIND OF FANTASY in 2003. Their third cd CANADIAN DANCE HALL--a project that pays tribute to the Canadian community dance halls of the 30s 40s and 50s--was realized in 2006 to much acclaim. The project attracted a number of celebrated Canadian artists as guests, including Prairie Oyster's Russell de Carle, Sarah Harmer and Downchild Blues Band's Chuck Jackson among others, and features both original tunes and traditional songs from the era. Says band leader Steve Briggs of CANADIAN DANCE HALL; "This is by far the best work the Bebops have ever done."
Tours in western, northern and central Canada, and playing the role of presenter with their successful HOMETOWN COUNTRY JUBILEE! showcase series has since kept the band happily busy.
In comparing the Bebops to such legendary western swing groups as Jimmy Dickens and his Country Boys, and Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadors, one of Canada's Western Swing Music Society reviewers summed up the band like this:
"Ordinarily such comparisons would be a bit of a reach; believe me, these guys really are this good. Some Kind of Fantasy is easily the best contemporary western swing recording I've heard in quite a while."
Instrumentation
Steve Briggs, guitar and harmony vocals
Dennis Pendrith, bass
John Adames, Drums
Burke Carroll, pedal steel
Howard Willett, harmonica and vocals
Drew Jurecka, fiddle and vocals
John Sheard, piano
Discography
Début (2002)
Some Kind of Fantasy (2003)
Canadian Dance Hall (2006)
Links
| http://www.bebopcowboys.com |