Artist description A fast rising star on the blues festival circuit Dr. Slide's eclectic acoustic/electric picking style uses a traditional foundation to create his original style. His gritty, soulful voice recalls the rough-edged bluesmen of old.

Music Style Blues Slide Guitar

Musical Influences Muddy Waters, Son House, Son Seals, Dr. Slide

Similar Artists John Mooney, John Hammond, Alvin Youngblood Hart,

Artist History Dr. Slide was born in Potsdam, East Germany in 1963. As a young teenager he began playing in local blues bands. As his following grew so did his consciousness. As a result of some political statements made during an appearance, Dr. Slide was banned from public performance in East Germany. But his music could not be silenced. Banned musicians soon found the church a refuge for performance and several local churches began "Blues Masses". One of Dr. Slide's performances drew more than 3,000 fans but these performances were not the outlet Dr. Slide needed so at the age of 21 he jumped the wall, leaving family and friends behind to start a new life in West Germany. Before long Dr. Slide was a fixture in the local blues scene, heading the house band at Berlin's premier blues club, The Blues Cafe. There he shared the stage with many legendary bluesmen. His band opened European shows for Bo Diddley and he was a guest player in Luther Allison's European band. He has impressive studio credentials appearing on recordings produced in England, France, Germany and throughout Europe. In between tours Dr. Slide began visiting the United States, primarily Mississippi Delta region, where he sought out and learned from local blues players, traveling the back roads and sleeping in his rented car. This front porch pickin' convinced him that only by relocating to the US would his playing evolve from academic to authentic. Dissolving his band in 1998, Dr. SLIDE embarked on a solo career as a traditional blues artist. He currently plays 20+ nights a month up and down the East Coast. Dr. Slide has played major blues festivals. Yank-Rep Blues Festival - Fitzgerald, GA Blues Bash - Charleston, SC Jubileums Blues Festival - Hamar, Norway Music for Hunger Blues Festival - Ft. Pierce, FL Sound Advice Blues Festival - Ft. Lauderdale, FL 1997-2001 Coral Gables Blues Festival - Coral Gables, FL Carolina Down-Home Blues Festival - Camden, SC Sound Advice Sarasota Blues Festival - Sarasota, FL Guiness Blues and Wine Festival - Waterloo, NJ 2001 Blues and Booze Festival - Waterloo, NJ 2001 Frannipalooza Blues Festival 2001 August-Septembeer 2001 Tour throughout Scandinavia City Link Music Festival 2001 Christmas and Blues Festival - Waterloo, NJ 2001 His gutsy performances and intimate style are well received in intimate clubs as well as music halls and larger venues.

Group Members Dr. Slide

Instruments National Resophonic Tricone, Vintage Telecasters

Albums Slidin' By 2001 and Outta Time 1998

Press Reviews Blues Revue Magazine, Issue no 68, June 2001 by Jeff Calvin ...Dr. Slide's Slidin' By (Bluzpik 9511) spotlights a fine modern National guitar player. His style sometimes evokes the early Muddy Waters sides, his original inspiration, but the good doctor ( a.k.a. Axel Humbert) is well beyond simple imitation--he has a hybrid picking/slide style all his own. Humbert wrote every song here, and the best of them -- "I Wasn't Born Here," " Finished With You, " the haunted "Stop Cryin" -- successfully evoke the great acoustic bluesmen of the past while staking an undeniable claim in the present. Back Beat Magazine by Patrick Bell, OBS Board Member "Slidin' By" Dr. Slide, Bluzpik Rekerdz 2001 For those blues fans and all others who love traditional blues, here is a treat for you, Dr. Slide. Yes, there is a great slide guitar player in this band; there is also great acoustic fingerpicker in Dr. Slide. The percussionist does a great job of keeping the beat; you can literally hear his foot counting out syncopated rhythms. I must mention the walking bass player who keeps the others in line with his moving, melodic deep notes. Now the singer, picture this: Wolfman Jack has come back to us, and informs us that while he was away, he perfected his singing voice and has joined The Dr. Slide Band. The above gives you a good idea of the musicians in this band. But wait, there is one thing I have left out. "They are all the same person, "and what's more they are all playing at the same time! Dr. Slide is Axel Humbert, and Axel Humbert is Dr. Slide. This CD is a one person 1940's Delta Bayou Blues Concert, or at least that's where you'll think you are. As you listen you begin to see the vision of a seasoned blues man sitting at the edge of the river playing and singing away his woes. On the cut, Friends for Life, you can literally see the tears rolling down his cheeks. This release is an experience in talented full-throated meaningful, soulful southern blues. And the way Dr. Slide can play the slide while finger picking and playing the bass lines all at the same time is extremely rare these days. Rather unheard of is the guitar player who can pull this feat off! Can you say, " One man Blues Band"? Dr. Slide shows it can be done and with authenticity, true to the home and heart of the blues. Dr. Slide must have been born on the Delta! No, Dr. Slide was born in East Germany, and literally climbed the wall to escape to freedom. Yes, I guess one would definitely experience and live the blues there! It comes out in his music, and it touches your soul. Ever wish you could go back in time and be able to sit on the back porch after dinner in the countryside of Mississippi back in the 40's or 50's and listen to the skillful mastery of a blues singer and guitar player performing for the ages? Here's your chance. Cozy up with your favorite beverage or invite the friends over for an old time quality blues happening. Dr. Slide will cure that ache in your heart for some Salt of the Earth, down-home, nitty-gritty, emotional, take me Lord, now I can go, Blues.

Additional Info Bluzpik Rekerdz Artist

Location Fort Lauderdale, FL - USA

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