Brendan Power
Canterbury, England, United Kingdom | INDIE
Music
Press
"In Power are combined all the elements which make for a master player: remarkable technical skill, deep knowledge of the instrument, and a truly creative approach to the music." THE IRISH TIMES, Dublin.
"...Power plays both diatonic and chromatic single-reed harmonicas with extraordinary dexterity, at times enough to make you shake your head in wonder. He will harp blow your socks off." THE IRISH ECHO, New York.
"...dynamite Kiwi harp player...magic harmonica..." TIME OUT, London.
"Power's dexterity is breathtaking...he takes the harmonica along paths you never suspected it could go. World class and wide ranging music." NEW ZEALAND HERALD, Auckland.
"Brendan Power reaches astonishing heights of technical brilliance..." THE GUARDIAN, London. - Various
Discography
A stylistic chameleon, Brendan has recorded albums in styles as diverse as Irish Traditional, Hot Club Jazz, Bulgarian and down home Blues. Press the PLAY button (top of page) to hear for yourself!
Highlights include the groundbreaking 'New Irish Harmonica', which gained new respect for the instrument in the Irish traditional music scene. In addition to his own work, Brendan has played on many pop/rock albums, such as Sting's 'Ten Summoner's Tales'.
1990 STATE OF THE HARP (Celtic, Blues, Jazz – mostly original)
1991 HARMONICA NIGHTS (Pop and Jazz Standards)
1991 DIGGING IN (All Original, various styles)
1992 JIG JAZZ (Duo Celtic CD with Frank Kilkelly)
1993 HARMONICA AFTER HOURS (Pop & Jazz Standards)
1994 NEW IRISH HARMONICA (Traditional Irish Music)
1995 TWO TRAINS RUNNING (Down Home Blues, with Dave Peabody)
1996 BLOW IN (Traditional Irish & Original)
1997 MUSIC FROM RIVERDANCE (Music from the Show feat. Harmonica)
1999 THE BULGARIAN PROJECT (Bulgarian Traditional Music)
2000 DAWN TO DUSK (Compilation Album of earlier CDs)
2002 IRON LUNG (Triple harmonica CD)
2004 TRADISH (All Original Celtic w. top session players)
2006 BP & the SWINGFELLAS (Hot Club & Gypsy Jazz)
2008 BACK TO BACK (Swing Jazz, rec. in Nashville)
2008 LAMENT FOR THE 21st CENTURY (Original and Trad. Irish)
2009 POWER & WHITE (Duo with Andrew White: Ragtime & Celtic)
Photos
Bio
UK-based New Zealander Brendan Power is widely acknowledged 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 seventeen solo CDs to date, in a wide variety of musical genres. A seasoned performer, Brendan's dynamic shows mix emotion, humour & virtuosity to move, amuse and amaze.
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 name artists such as Sting, Van Morrison, Kate Bush, James Galway, Paul Young, Shirley Bassey, John Williams and many more. His playing is also heard frequently on Hollywood movie soundtracks (eg. the 2008 Oscar winner 'Atonement', 'Shanghai Noon' starring Jackie Chan etc), and BBC TV series. He’s featured on the internationally-syndicated Jools Holland Show and tours worldwide performing his extraordinary eclectic shows, featuring mostly original material. He has also appeared as guest soloist with orchestras in venues such as Beijing's Great Hall of the People and The Kremlin.
In addition to his Blues, Popular & Jazz 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 & customiser, Brendan is employed by Suzuki Musical Instruments Co. of Japan as their International Harmonica Specialist.
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