Featured Harmonica Artists

Ben Curtis - Money

My mentor, great friend and legendary musician Ben Curtis is back in the recording studio laying down some ideas for his forthcoming album. This is an excerpt from the track 'Money'. Watch this space as his music unfolds....

Huey Lewis and The News album 'Soulsville'

Grammy-winners Huey Lewis and The News album 'Soulsville' was recorded at the historic Ardent Studios in Memphis. The album features 14 classic songs from the vault of Stax Records, including “Respect Yourself” and “Got To Get You Off My Mind”. Considered to be the preeminent soul music label in America, Stax was home to artists like Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T & The MG’s, and Isaac Hayes, and produced an astounding number of hit records throughout the 1960’s & 70’s. Ably paying tribute to the rich Stax legacy, Huey Lewis and The News, joined by their long time horn section, capture the energy and excitement of this important era.

'Soulsville' re-unites Huey Lewis and the News with co-producer Jim Gaines ('Sports,' 'Fore!') who worked at the Stax studios as a young man and was involved in many of the label's original recordings.

“We’re especially proud of the collection.” says Lewis, who has been previewing material from the album while on a critically acclaimed summer tour. “There should be a number of surprises for everyone.”

Formed from two rival Bay Area bands in 1979, Huey Lewis and The News play a brand of straight-ahead rock and roll that has outlasted countless trends, selling over 20 million albums and earning Grammy Awards along the way. The group still performs around 100 shows a year. Lewis has enjoyed recent success on screen and stage as well, acting on the hit television show “Hot in Cleveland”, and performing in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “Chicago”.

Visit Huey's website for performance dates and venues - www.hueylewis.com

Hugh Laurie - Actor, Comedian, Author & Musician

Hugh's talents and accomplishments span all areas of the entertainment industry. A renowned actor and comedian, both in the UK and more recently in the USA, where he plays the lead role on the global hit TV series House. His second novel is soon to be published and Spring 2011 sees the release of his debut album 'Let Them Talk' focusing on his lifetime love for New Orleans blues.

For more information visit Hugh's website » www.hughlaurieblues.com

Sting - Shape of my Heart

Antony Dannecker custom built and tuned Larry Adler's harmonicas for the recording of the Sting album "Ten Summoners Tales" (1993). Harmonicas used; Hohner Silver Concertos all tuned to A446 hertz.

Mitt Gamon - Ladders

Harmonica Player and musician who has performed with artists including Nasher, Joe Brown, Boy George, Godley and Creme, Soul II Soul many many more.

Tom Byrne - Cry Of The Innocent (Caoineadh na Neacht –Chiontach)

A virtuoso on diatonic and chromatic harmonicas, Tom’s extraordinary talent is the product of a lifetime’s passion for music. His musical ideas and personality soar through the medium of the harmonica as he redefines the possibilities of trad music on the instrument.

For this outstanding debut album Tom is joined by the legendary Frankie Gavin on fiddle and viola, Carl Hession on piano, Paul O’Driscoll on double bass and Laurence Doherty on snare-drum to present a recording rich in sound and texture.

Frankie Gavin has also produced the album, which features a mixture of jazz, classical and blues improvisation of the classic Irish, Scottish, Canadian and Shetland repertoire and also unique haunting melodies including Tom’s stunning composition ‘Caoineadh na Neamh – Chiontach’ (The Cry of The Innocent). For more info visit Tom's website » www.TomByrneOnline.com

Composed and performed by Tom Byrne. Played on a Dannecker Blues in key D harmonic minor. A virtuoso on diatonic and chromatic harmonicas, Tom’s extraordinary talent is the product of a lifetime’s passion for music. His musical ideas and personality soar through the medium of the harmonica as he redefines the possibilities of trad music on the instrument.

Roy Brazier - Stormy Monday

The award winning harmonica player and saxophonist.