INCORPORATING
The Archive DI Alrican American Music
IAN BRIGGS. Harmonicalan Briggs has been blowing harp forover 40 of his 57 years. It wasCyril Davies who inspired lan to playthe blues harp. For several years herecorded with and accompaniedseveral bands until he formed hisown group, lan Briggs & TheSupervampers. He also gave bluesharmonica workshops during theyears of the Gloucester BluesFestival. ln 1989, Ile won the BritishHarmonica Championship awardsponsored by the National Harmonica League. During Blues Week, lanwill be teaching beginning blues harp, covering ail aspects of playing.
DIZ WATSON.Piano/KeyboardsDil Watson's prime influence on thepiano is the New Orleans gumbo styleof barrel house, rhythm and blues,rock and roll and boogie woogie.This amalgam of styles reached theirapotheosis in the late 1940s and early50s with the playing of Fats Domino,Huey 'Piano' Smith to morecontemporary musicians such asDr. John, James Booker andProfessor Longhair. Dil'S recordinghistory date back to 1982 with the release of Blue(oat Man forAce Records. For the workshop, Dil will give examples of 'left hand','right hand' techniques associated with the New Orleans style. Studentsmust bring an individual portable keyboard. The ability to read music isnot required.
DANA GILLESPIE. VocalsThe EBA is proud to announceour special guest for this year,Dana Gillespie. Her career started in1965 as a singer/songwriter when thefirst of her many singles was releasedon the Pye label. Since then she hasrecorded 40 albums. She also hasnumerous theatre, television and filmappearances to her credit. Dana wasvoted Top British FemaJe Vo(alist byBlueprint from 1992 to 1996 whenshe was elevated to their Hall Of Fame.For Blues Week, Dana will be joining us for Thursday and Friday only.Her class will prepare students for our annual Blues Week finale,Student Talent Showcase. She will focus on vocal phrasing, properbreathing techniques as weil as performance and presentation.
ROGER CUDBY. CoordinatorRoger Cudby has had many years experience as a broadcaster,educationalist, researcher and writer. He has also been a musicpresenter at the Glou(ester International Blues ald (ajua Festivals.
PAUL OLIVER. lecturerPaul Oliver is a leading writer and critic in the blues.He is the author of numerous authoritative works includingThe Story Of The Blues and Conversation With The Blues.Blues Feil This Morning, first published in 1960, is a pioneeringstudy of the meaning of the blues that is still a recommendedread. Paul has agreed to come down to Blues Week to be ourspecial guest for a day.
