Music Style r&b, soul, the jazzy side of blues, delta, and a shade of gospel.

Artist History In a musical career that has spanned more than thirty years, Michael has embraced the blues in one form or another. As lead vocalist and harmonica player for seminal bands Whiskey Howl and Wooden Teeth during the '70s and '80s, he successfully pushed the envelope for blues and funky roots music in the Toronto area, garnering critical acclaim and developing a strong following along the way.Michael formed The Michael Pickett Band in 1981 and continues to strive for excellence in performance, songwriting and musical integrity. His debut CD (all original songs) "Blues Money" received a 1998 Juno nomination, the 1999 Jazz Report Award and the 1998 Real Blues Award... for "Best Blues Album of the Year". Many awards and nominations later, he received the coveted 1999 Maple Blues Awards "Blues With A Feeling Award" in recognition of his passion and commitment to the blues. His latest CD "Conversation With The Blues" is an eclectic collection of ten original compositions plus two covers embodying blues forms including r&b, soul, the jazzy side of blues, delta, and a shade of gospel. "Night Comes" (co-written by Doug Riley/Molly Johnson) is a deliciously intimate ballad which was recorded live off the floor; Doug Riley on grand piano, Michael on vocal... and nothing else. "Mother Earth", a rarely recorded chestnut arranged by Michael Pickett and John Witmer in the days of Whiskey Howl, was recorded live and given the big band treatment - backup singers, horns and the definitive three minute Pickett 'harp' solo. And, of course, there's the title track... with a string quartet! Michael has been acknowledged by the industry for his songwriting and vocally, he has never sounded better... his range and melodic twists and turns around a lyric are colourfully surreal, telling the story from the inside out... confident and passionate. As a harmonica player he's one of the best. His style is definitely ensconced in roots music and lends itself to a varied approach depending on the musical context. His long career has included extensive recording credits, film, radio and television commercial work (he was the original voice of the Budman during a seven year Budweiser campaign). He has shared the stage with John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, Koko Taylor, John Hammond, Sunnyland Slim, and has opened for James Cotton, Taj Mahal, Muddy Waters, and Son Seals at venues ranging from Massey Hall to New York's Village Gate. Many consider Michael Pickett the quintessential artist of his generation

Instruments Michael Pickett - vocals & harp , Steve Chadwick - bass , Doug Romanow - hammond B3 , Shawn Kellerman - electric guitar, Bill McCauley - B3 organ, Gary Craig - drums,John Johnson - tenor/alto/baritone sax, Gord Meyers - trombone, Rick Lazar - percussion, Liz Tilden/Troy Adams - background vox, Doug Riley - piano , Louise Pickett - background vox, Teddy Leonard - electric guitar, Marty Cordrey - drums, Lenny Solomon, Norman Hathway - violins, Arturs Janson - viola, Richard Armin - cello, Kevin Breit - electric guitar / mandolin, Leo Valvassori - bass guitar, Paul Brennan - drums, Dave Dunlop - trumpet, Jackie Richardson - background vox

Albums Concerstation With The Blues (2000) and Blues Money (!998)

Press Reviews REVIEW QUOTES BILLBOARD MAGAZINE... (International): “Conversation With The Blues... transcend[s] the urban blues idiom....” Steve “Big Daddy Bluzharp” Harvell... Bluzharp... (Raleigh, NC) “[Conversation With The Blues] gets a (7) Harp Salute...” “Michael Pickett is THE top harmonica player/singer that Canada has to offer...” “This is one of the top ten CDs that I have gotten this year [and] will meet and surpass all expectations, I promise!!!” John Scoles... SCENE (Winnipeg, MB): “The follow-up to Pickett’s Juno-nominated Blues Money, Conversation With The Blues is a smoldering collection of positively glowing sparks and embers.” “Definitely a front runner for this country’s blues recording of the year.” Benoit Briere... Blues Bytes... (Phoenix, AZ, USA): “These songs could go on forever, you’d still be there bopping your head. All in all, an excellent showcase for a multi-talented musician.” Mike Regenstreif... Montreal Gazette (Montreal, QC) **** “Michael Pickett ... singer, songwriter and harmonica player in the front ranks of Canada’s top blues artists.” Christopher Michaels...SCENE... (London, ON): “Michael Pickett’s new CD [Conversation With The Blues] is a keeper!” “... recognized as a world class harmonica player...” “...a great CD because the songwriting is so hip...” “One of the finest blues CDs I have heard this year. A+” John H. Taylor...Blues On Stage... (Minneapolis, MINN, USA): “[Conversation With The Blues] ... Michael is blessed with a naturally sweet voice... flavoured with just the right amount of grit to add the requisite gravity to every phrase.” “Despite stellar performances by all concerned, it’s the songs that come first. And what songs they are!” “... the title track is one of the best all-alone-at-the-end-of-the-night tunes I’ve ever heard.” Geoff Chapman... The Toronto Star... (Toronto, ON): “[Conversation With The Blues] ...Pickett mines the blues style repertoire with impressive brio.” THE NAIL ... (Cambridge, ON) “... this is easily the best blues CD I’ll hear this year.” “This album contains way too many good songs to single any out...” John Valenteyn...CJRT, TBS... (Toronto, ON): “Conversation With The Blues... a masterpiece!” Gary 17...TO-NITE...(Toronto, ON): “Conversation With The Blues engages you from the get go and draws you into the soulful and thoughtful world of a veteran Blues man who must now be acknowledged as one of Canada's premier songwriters.” “... a magnificient followup to 1998's Juno-nominated (Best Roots/Blues album) debut disc Blues Money.” “...this is grown-up, confident Blues. Mature stylings, subject matter and exquisitely crafted performances all blend to make each track a shining gem.” “Looks like more awards are headed Pickett's way with this one.” Geoff Chapman... The Toronto Star... (Toronto, ON):“PICKETT DESERVES SPOTLIGHT” “[Blues Money] is a winner! “ John Scoles...Blues Scene Quarterly...(Winnipeg, MB): “... Pickett is taking the Canadian blues world by storm and doing it with a strong sense of style, substance and understanding.” “... seeing and hearing The Michael Pickett Band in action, it’s clearly evident that not only does Michael understand what the music is all about, but that awareness and joy of his has indeed been ‘caught’ by the band as well.” David Barnard...The Jazz Report...(Toronto, ON): “... [Blues Money] has a warm, live feel that is not typical of today’s blues-rock recordings, as it never substitutes aggression for feeling.” “The unifying force of the recording is the leader’s gritty but always musical vocals and his sharp to-the-point harp playing. Andy Grigg...Real Blues Magazine...(Vancouver, BC):“Pickett...head and shoulders above the legion of harp-blowers out there, displaying uncanny power, taste and technique.” “Blues Money is quite simply one of the very best blues CDs to ever come out of Canada.” “...an exceptionally original, unique and talent-heavy offering from a truly gifted artist.” Lee Oskar...WAR / Lee Oskar Harmonicas (Seattle, WA, USA):“One of the finest harmonica players of all time.” [Mike Bullard Show] Gary 17...TO-NITE...(Toronto, ON): “There’s not a disappointment among the entire 12 tracks of this disc of Pickett originals....” “[Blues Money] ... definitely been worth the long wait it’s taken for this material to emerge...” Zoe Chilco...MapleBlues...(Toronto, ON): “Anyone who has seen Pickett perform knows he’s good, knows he puts his soul and guts into the riffs he pulls out of his harp.” “... sets ... are tough, tight and exciting.” “Pickett is a major talent!” Steve Harvel...BluzHarp...(Raleigh, NC, USA): “Michael Pickett is a Blues Harmonica player from Canada that is seasoned and playing what I like to call, Dangerous Blues and Boogie. I give [Blues Money] a perfect score and highly recommend it!” Cholo Willsin...Winthrop’s R&B/Country Music Festival...(Seattle, WA, USA): “It’s hidden treasures like this guy that make you say ‘wow’!” The Journeyman...South Australian Blues Society...(Australia): “Michael Pickett is quite a sensation. “... Pickett knows how to play some kicking Blues.” MICHAEL PICKETT MAILING LISTKeep informed! Join the mailing list to receive notices about new releases, tours, performances and to share your thoughts.

Location Toronto, Ontario - Canada

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