BRENDAN POWER - PRESS KIT

BIOGRAPHY

UK-based New Zealander Brendan Power is acknowledged by many as one of the most creative, skilled & versatile harmonica players around today. Equally at ease on both the earthy Blues Harp as well as the sophisticated Chromatic Harmonica, he tunes them to his own scales to create a highly original style. He has recorded fifteen solo CDs to date, in a wide variety of musical genres.

Since he moved to Britain in 1992, Brendan’s eclectic skills and sympathetic ear have made him an in-demand session player, leading to live and recording work with artists such as Sting, James Galway, Van Morrison, Paul Young, Shirley Bassey, John Williams and many more. His playing is also heard on many Hollywood movie soundtracks (eg. the 2008 Oscar winning soundtrack for 'Atonement'), and BBC TV series. He’s featured on the internationally-syndicated Jools Holland Show and toured worldwide, performing in venues such as China’s Great Hall of the People and The Kremlin.

In addition to his Pop, Jazz & Blues skills, Brendan is an expert player of Irish traditional music (winning the 1993 All Ireland Title), and performed for three years as soloist in the Riverdance Show. He has recorded with well-known Irish artists such as Donal Lunny, Altan, Paul Brady, Arkady, Artie McGlynn, Mary Black and others. A respected harmonica technician & customiser, Brendan is employed by Suzuki Musical Instruments Co. of Japan as their International Harmonica Specialist.

PHOTOS

PRESS  QUOTES

"In Power are combined all the elements which make for a master player: remarkable technical skill, deep knowledge of the instrument, and a truly creative approach to the music."    THE IRISH TIMES, Dublin.

"...Power plays both diatonic and chromatic single-reed harmonicas with extraordinary dexterity, at times enough to make you shake your head in wonder. He will harp blow your socks off."   THE IRISH ECHO, New York.

"...dynamite Kiwi harp player...magic harmonica..."    TIME OUT, London.

"Power's dexterity is breathtaking...he takes the harmonica along paths you never suspected it could go. World class and wide ranging music."    NEW ZEALAND HERALD, Auckland.

"Brendan Power reaches astonishing heights of technical brilliance..."   THE GUARDIAN, London.

SESSION  CREDITS

SOME ALBUMS (Artist, Title):

STING: Ten Summoners Tales     PAUL YOUNG: Paul Young    JAMES GALWAY: Un-Break My Heart    JOHN WILLIAMS: John Williams Plays the Movies    PAUL BRADY: Common Ground    MARY BLACK: Speaking With the Angel; Full Tide    ALTAN: Blackwater    SHIRLEY BASSEY: All By Myself    ARTIE McGLYNN: Causeway    ARCADY: Many Happy Returns

SOME MOVIES (Title, Starring):

ATONEMENT 2008 Oscar-Winning Soundtrack (Keira Knightly, James McAvoy)    SHANGHAI NOON (Jackie Chan)    THE NEXT BEST THING (Madonna)   CROSSROADS (Britney Spears)    LOVE ACTUALLY (Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson)    PUSHING TIN (John Cusack, Cate Blanchett)    LUCKY BREAK (Timothy Spall)

TV SERIES (Title, Starring):

AUF WIEDERSEHEN PET (Jimmy Nail, Timothy Spall)    PARADISE HEIGHTS (Neil Morrisey)    
SUNSHINE (BBC Oct '08 - Steve Coogan)    BILLY CONNOLLY'S JOURNEY TO THE EDGE OF THE WORLD (2009)

GIG BOOKING, TOUR MANAGEMENT

LAURA JOWERS
Email: laura@jowers.me.uk