Music
Press
Nominated for 2006 WCMA for "Outstanding Blues Recording"
CBMA Harmonica Player Of The Year 2008 & 2009
"Richie Pollack's swagger and command of voice and harmonica showed why regular return performances in Saskatoon are warranted" -Jeff Montgomery, Saskatoon Blues Society
The Mighty Harmonica gets some serious blues-cred from singer and musician Richie Pollack...he has been treating audiences to his ferocious live performances for over 15 years." -Carla Ciccone, Avenue Magazine
Richie Pollack with Ralf Buschmeyer
Saskatchewan's newest bluesman, Richie Pollack and Ralf Buschmeyer, Calgary guitarist with no fear of crossing genre, made a debut performance for the Saskatoon Blues Society at beily’s this past Tuesday to a small and very privileged crowd. There is no doubt that both artists could develop solid following within the local blues and jazz communities based on their performance. Richie has a stage presence that expressed his confidence and experience, enhancing his virtuoso harp work and well-timed and inventive vocals. It is not common to see harmonicas used with the diversity displayed by Pollack, driving and rhythmic at times and lyrical and articulate at others. Buschmeyer is no less than a 'monster' player. Never one to let a riff lead to the predictable or work himself into a dead end, the fret board is Ralf's pallet with beautifully crafted chording and tasty use of a playback loop to fatten up the duo sound and keep it live.
Pollack's song writing, with some collaborative work with Buschmeyer and others, has produced very clever and interesting tunes...listen to ‘Satisfactation’. Keeping the crowd completely on side with familiar material was no problem, with fresh renditions of covers...Mercy, Mercy, the Cannonball Adderly classic being a pure joy to witness.
Seldom does a duo provide such a diverse and captivating show as that of Pollack and Buschmeyer. A great intro for them both to Saskatoon, and certainly we look forward to their return.
Jeff Montgomery – Saskatoon Blues Society
- Richie P
Discography
"Stew" - Richie Pollack
"The Fabulous Jump Daddies" - The Jump Daddies
Guest Artist:
"Crosseyed Cat" -Donald Ray, Donald Ray Johnson'
"God Blind Me","Down Where The River Meets The Sea" - Saxman, Mike Clark
"Like A Gambler Changes Vests", "The Fool You Always Knew" - Indigo Incidents, Tim Williams
"Buckeye PowerKing" - EST 1968, Ralf Buschmeyer
Media:
RDTV (Red Deer Television statin I.D.)
World Of Horses (Discovery Channel)
Death Of Skyline (Discovery Channel
The Snow Eater (Westmount Productions and Ellis Ent.)
Solomon Skis/General Motors
Photos
Bio
Considered by many to be Western Canadas cross-harp ambassador, Richie Pollack is a diatonic harmonica player known for his versatility and unique style. He blends his influences from New Orleans rock to African influenced instrumental, vibey gospel to down and dirty blues into blues music that is uniquely his. He has been deliberately challenging the stereotype of the diatonic harmonica by challenging himself with every opportunity to tackle different styles of music on his own and with much encouragement from the fantastic musical community that surrounds him. One thing for certain is that Richie Pollack plays the livin tar outta that little ole tin-sandwich!
Links
