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Artist description
I'm basically a white boy lost in the blues.
Even though I am recording more of the acoustic,
especially slide guitar music, I play other
styles of music and different instruments, such as
the piano, electric guitar, and mandolin.
I am also an artist/designer, having designed
12 LP, cassette and CDS for a variety of
musicians since 1981.
I am a qualified Visual Arts/Graphic Design Teacher,
having 17 years experience for Highschool and
University. Music has been a great motivator
for my students while they do their art designs. I am
also a professional commercial artist, with experience
from design, illustration to production. My website shows
mostly my personal artwork, which I have sold world wide
with also many commissions. Many artworks are in private
and corporate collections. Take a look at the art.
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Music Style
Raw,spontaneous slide and eclectic worldly whimsical. |
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Musical Influences
Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Delta Blues and Folk mainly. |
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Similar Artists
Robert Johnson, Tampa Red, Bukka White, Delta and Chicago Blues cats to white players like Dwayne Eddy. |
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Artist History
I recall accordian and violin music swirling in
my parent's home in Finland and having it carry
on when we moved to Thunder Bay, Canada. My start
was with an accordian player to play for the
Finnish folk dancers and then a dance orchestra.
I have played with many musicians from folk to
rock and blues. I especially enjoy the simple fun
of those many times jamming with another musician,
learning new sounds, and adding something to my
interest from another culture or other instrument.
I have also been fortunate to have met a few blues
artists. The late Bukka White, after a concert break
was at the same table as I at York University back
in 1974, took the time to show me two tunes, one
being 'Bukka White's Swing' in Open G. That one
certainly stands out. I was a photographer for
a Toronto Blues magazine at that time and took
a few photos of him playing. Those times living
near Spadina Avenue, gave me proximity to places like
the El Macombo, giving me the opportunity to see
and meet musicians like Bo Diddley, Hound Dog Taylor,
Howing Wolf, to the Rolling Stones. " Strange Days
indeed Mama, pretty peculiar". |
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Group Members
Vesa Peltonen |
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Instruments
Acoustic, electric guitar, mandolin, piano, synth.,drums |
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Albums
Backyard Slidin', Sound Waves 1, & 2, |
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Press Reviews
'Backyard Slidin' new CD now available.
'Sound Waves 1' & 'Sound Waves 2' CD released, 2003.
REVIEW by 'Bard of Ely'- Funender.com Reviewer, on song "East & West Blues Swing'.
Billed as 'Jazz Fusion' this song more than lives up to that name because Vesa has skillfully 'fused' and melted together so very many different sounds and instruments here!
It opens with percussion and sounds of water and droning sitar strings and made me think of some sort of village on the banks of the Ganges! A bird cries repetively, maybe it's a jungle fowl or some other exotic species and I can't be sure what it is but this doesn't matter because it adds to the open-air atmosphere of the piece. Some sort of motor starts up briefly and this gives an almost surreal touch to it all. All of this feels as if it's in India or somewhere in the East but then a bluesy and jazzy guitar moves the music back into the West with riffing and playing that would be at home in an American jazz club. Keys continue this theme but a very tribal percussion reminds you of a different culture and a different part of the world. The blend is fascinating, intoxicating and mysterious, slightly cacophonic at times but always musical enough to hold you in its spell. The modern and the primitive, the high tech and the low, the electronic and the acoustic, the synthetic and the organic are all mixed in a delicious cocktail of eclectic influences. This is rootsy music with a big difference, this is organic jazz with oriental spice and I've been playing it and replaying it over again!
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Additional Info
As a commercial designer, I can design your next CD. |
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Location
Thunder Bay, Ontario - Canada |
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