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FRIDAY 27th IS INTERNATIONAL NIGHT
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This year’s International Night will take place on Friday 27th in Déjà Vu in The Cowgate, and will start at 7.30pm (doors open 7pm) and will run till late. This musical extravaganza will feature Robert Penn (USA), Dr Bendix (Norway) and The Rattlesnakin' Daddies (Norway). PLEASE NOTE that due to circumstances beyond our control there will be an obligatory and unavoidable cover charge at the door, which will however include a free Blues Bonanza 2008 Programme.
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Robert Penn Brings The Blues To Dundee
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This year’s Dundee Blues Bonanza will be headlined by Detroit Bluesman, Robert Penn. Detroit’s world renowned man of the blues has been perfecting his craft for the last thirty years, developing a style and skill which has been compared to that of B.B. King.
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 Born in Riverside, California Robert was raised in Inkster, Michigan , and grew up with a real passion for music. His mother’s side of the family was from Edwards, Mississippi, and Robert developed a sense of belonging to the blues.
In 1966 his father took him to the Detroit Fox Theatre to see the Motown Revue. After seeing the original Temptations and hearing their guitarist, Cornelius Grant play the opening riff on “I know I’m losing You”, he knew what he wanted to do with his life.
He later became musical conductor for ex Temptation, the late David Ruffin.
In 1983 Robert got a chance to play and conduct the band for the legendary B.B. King at Henry’s Palace in Detroit. Since then he has opened for many legendary artists including Johnny Taylor, Little Milton, Bobby Bland, Coco Taylor, Buddy Guy, Phillis Hyman, Aretha Franklin and many others.
In 1985 there were two tours of Sweden, in ‘94 a trip to New Zealand and in ‘05 and ‘06 two tours of England .
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Though his discography is not extensive, his two recordings “Live and Mighty” and “All Alone, Just Me and My Blues” are well worth listening to. (There are more recordings in progress and hopefully we may hear some of them at this year’s bonanza.) In the meantime Robert Penn is rapidly developing his niche in the music industry and intends to be a force to be reckoned with! Check out http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=212024719 for more info.
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The Flaming Stratmen are Back
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We are very pleased to welcome back The Flaming Stratmen again this year. The band features the talents of German based Werner “Flaming Stratman” Lindner on guitar and vocals, and London based Terry Duggan (bass) and Reg Patten (drums).
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 Werner studied classical piano as a kid for ten years, became a drummer for seven years and ended up singing and playing guitar with several regional bands. A few years ago he decided to go back to the music he loved from his first timid attempts on the piano on the blues. He won a double award on garageband.com for “best production” and “most original” in 2006 for his song “Swallowed By The Sea” and was inducted in the US Blues hall of Fame as blues ambassador to Germany in 2007.
On his travels to London he met Terry Duggan and Reg Patten at one of London´s famous blues jams at the Heathcote Arms, Leytonstone. Both were members of the Ray Bartrip Boogie Band then. Reg, a drumming veteran from the late sixties, who played with several bands all over europe and Terry, an experienced and talented bassist form an ideal backbone for this band. They played last years Bonanza, which they all think was outstanding and recently were on a short german tour together with Son Henry, where they played some highly successful gigs.
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Their music is built on spontaneous improvisation, which gives even well known songs an exciting new note and no two gigs will never sound the same.
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Rattlesnakin Daddies
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 We also will be welcoming back this dynamic 3 piece acoustic band from Norway who were a big hit at the 2006 event. The Band members have been digging deep into the traditional styles of the Blues, and will use the acoustic guitar, harmonica and vocals to produce a wide ranging blues set. The Daddies will treat their audience to “Old Style Blues” with some Delta Blues, Chicago Style, Finger Picking, Chasing Blues, and Ragtime etc on offer.
The Daddies also play a lot of their original material as well as the works of the old Masters. The trio are well known for lots of humour and flirting with the Audience when they play.
By adding two more members on Bass and Drums the Daddies, will transform into the Hard Luck Blues Band with a much tougher electric style set. As well as playing authentic Blues in the traditional styles, they will add their own Nordic interpretation to their Blues roots.
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Dr Bendix
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In 1999, three well seasoned musicians were lured to the Blues by the recordings of Muddy Waters, Lee Oscar, Robert Johnston, Dave Hole, Johnny V, and The Blues Brothers etc.
Through individual and band perfomances, they played Blues, Jazz, R`N`R, and heavy rock, that became the catalyst that inspired them to become the band Dr Bendix.
In the Spring of 2002, Dr Bendix recorded a CD entitled "Life is a Rocky Road", to help promote their songwriting and Musical interpretations. The band will play either as a 3 or 4pc.
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Black River Bluesman and the Croaking Lizard
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 "There is something very raw in Blues, it is the best form of music through which you can express yourself", says Jussi Konttinen (Baritone guitar). Formed in the 1970s by Jukka Juhola and his cousin Juha Lindgren (harmonica) in Southern Finland, the Band has four members ,including Jukka, Juha, Jussi and Aniti Hutrinen on Drums.
"Our original compositions are incarnations of Blues. Their roots are Mississippi mud, "You can always innovate through your personal feelings" says Jukka. Their music is raw, but so hypnotic that it entrances everyone. Jukka has many influences that are reflected in their music, ranging from the Delta to Alternative Blues, and Seventies Rock like Black Sabbath and The Doors.
(see www.bluesman.fi or www.myspace.com/blackriverbluesman)
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Nikolaj Anderson
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Nikolaj is a One Man Band from Denmark and plays Groove Driven Hill Country and Delta Blues using a foot operated Drum set, 5 string electric fiddle and a droning 3 string Diddling Bow.
Nikolaj also uses home made guitars, played lap style with varied open tunings. and a variety of other instruments including an electric 5 string fiddle and a homemade 3 string guitar. His sound is incredible and you can hear influences such as Elmore James, Ragtime and Original Hill Country Blues in his inspiring mix.
The City will also have the opportunity to witness his talents, as Nikolaj will be playing in the streets of Dundee at the Wellgate on Fri 27th June for the opening of the Bonanza as part of the Publicity Concert.
(see http://nikolajandersen.bravehost.com)
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Bob Hall
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 Bob is a virtuoso blues and boogie piano player from Yorkshire and is a veteran of several Dundee Bonanzas. From the North Sea Jazz Festival to the San Francisco Blues Festival, Bob has taken his unique brand of blues and boogie woogie all over the world for more than forty years.
Bob has played with the best, guesting with world renowned recording artists such as Howlin Wolf and John Lee Hooker, and is also part of the British Blues All Stars. (see http://www.boogie.demon.co.uk)
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