B R E N D A N     P O W E R

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 and UK TV series. He’s featured on the 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. A respected harmonica technician & customiser, Brendan is employed by Suzuki Musical Instruments Co. of Japan as their International Harmonica Specialist.

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 (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 Kusack, Kate Blanchett)    LUCKY BREAK (Timothy Spall)     

TV SERIES (Title, Starring):

AUF WIEDERSEHEN PET (Jimmy Nail, Timothy Spall)    PARADISE HEIGHTS (Neil Morrisey)

SAMPLE  MP3 CLIPS

CHROMATIC HARMONICA:
Pop-Song Solo    Stevie Wonder    Swing Jazz    Smooth Jazz    Baroque    New Orleans Jazz    Scary Atmospheric    Traditional Irish    Slow Jazz Ballad    Bulgarian    Hot Club Jazz    Vivaldi

DIATONIC HARP:
Acoustic Blues    Hard Rock    Amplified Blues    Irish Diatonic    Amplified Pop    Bluegrass    Film Soundtrack    Amplified Rn'B    Minor Blues    Bass Harmonica & Jews Harp  

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.