*The Harry Garner Band*

The *The Harry Garner Band* is an ensemble of Chicago blues musicians that have combined the raucous feel of the ole’ Mississippi Juke Joints with the rollicking, barrelhouse sound of post-war Chicago blues. Each member of the band has a direct connection to the blues. Harry’s band consists of some of Chicago's finest veteran blues musicians.

*Harry Garner* has been singing since the age of seven. His vocals are unique, powerful and sincere, conveying the full range of emotion for each song, whether it’s a soulful blues ballad or just some down and dirty Chicago style blues. As a front man, Harry uses the music as the focal point for each show. Unlike other artists that tend to use themselves as the focal point. When Harry fires up his harmonica he can whip the audience into frenzy with his style reminiscent of such greats as Little Walter and Charlie Musslewhite. Harry try’s to keep the show as authentic as possible throwing in a little of this and a little of that, mixing up a tasty musical gumbo, thereby assuring the audience gets exactly what they want.

*Mark Wydra* , lead guitarist is the incredibility talented cornerstone of the band. He has played professionally since 1973 Marks fierce guitar excursions effortlessly blend various rudiments of blues, country, rock and jazz. Marks guitar playing is incredible, energizing and he stretches his solos to the breaking point dancing on the edge of the abyss. He is one of the most technically competent, articulate guitarists working in any genre. Mark has played with many of Chicago's top blues talents like Eddy Clearwater, Bob Riedy Blues Band, Sam Lay, and Cary Bell. He has worked in shows with Chuck Berry, Jr. Wells, Bo Diddley and has performed with The Harry Garner Band for the past three years. A testimony to the talent he sees in Harry.

*Barrelhouse Chuck* the blues piano master is a frequently *featured, and highly venerated member of the band. Chuck is one of the few pianists to have studied under such legends as Sunnyland Slim, Pinetop Perkins, Little Brother Montgomery and Detroit Junior. By the time Barrelhouse was 19 years old he was opening for Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, B.B. King and often jammed with Bo Diddly. Chuck’s rich vocals and” Old School” instrumentals are filled with heartfelt soul and high energy, rollicking Boogie Woogie. He has played professionally for over 30 years, touring across the U.S. and internationally. He has played on 50 recording sessions and on 18 different labels.

The bands rhythm section changes from time to time but this is a blues band in the Chicago tradition. The consistency is the fact that the people who play for Harry are bluesmen through and through. People who have blues in their soul and in there blood. There is never a time when the rhythm section is not killer.

*Harlan Terson* is the bassist extraordinaire, a fixture on Chicago's musical landscape since the 1870’s (oops, 1970’s). Harlan has more than thirty years of recording and touring internationally with some of Chicago's great blues artists. He has played bass on more than thirty five recordings and jingles, two of which have been nominated for the Grammy award. “one of Chicago’s great blues bassist.” Bass Player Magazine

*E. G. McDaniel* - "Son of the Blues." Learned at his father's knee. He is the son of a Chicago blues icon, guitarist Floyd McDaniel, and Bessie Jackson a singer and jazz pianist. Floyd McDaniel went on to fame in the '40s and '50s by forming his own band, the Four Blazes. His contemporaries were such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie and Ella Fitzgerald. E. G. is recognized in his own right as a superbly seasoned bass player and toured across the US, Canada and abroad.

*Kenny Smith* is one of the most respected and hardest working drummers in blues today. Kenny is another "Son of the Blues." He learned his back beat-heavy Chicago shuffle from his father, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, who was Muddy Waters drummer for 25 years. That sez it all!

*Lenny Spatafore* is Is yet another well respected drummer. Lenny has had the reputation as being the “drummers drummer” having performed with Sam Lay, long-time drummer for Howlin’ Wolf and Wille ”big eyes” Smith, long-time drummer for Muddy Waters. They set down their sticks to come to the front of the stage to lead their own bands now. Lenny holds it all together for them with his hard-hitting back beat. Lenny has also performed with Pinetop Perkins, Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, Henry Gray, A C Reed, Otis Rush, Eddie Shaw, Billy Boy Arnold, Little Smokey Smothers, Big Time Sarah, Barkin’ Bill Smith, Abe Locke, Bob Stroger, and Joanna Connor. Lenny has played with The Harry Garner Band since it’s conception in 1993.