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Al Lawrence

Al 'Lowdown' Lawrence has been a harmonica player for over 15yrs. Al first picked up the instrument quite late in life, by most musicians standards, at the positively elderly age of seventeen. It was a Christmas present with a tape and a book, which was played so intensely over that Chrtistmas that, by boxing day, he had blisters on his lips. He has not looked back since. Al really loves the blues, as is evident when you speak to him. When he heard that we were planning to form our own blues club in Scarborough he was among the most enthusiastic supporters.

A powerfull and innovative player using a traditional blues style with a sound honed in for modern band situations, he has the dexterity to move from gutsy hard blowin' riffs to delicate open wailings, visually a man who feels every note he plays. He can also sing!!

He has been influenced by the usual suspects - Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Sonny Terry - and more current blues harp players such as Son of Dave. He has played consistently with several blues and roots bands and has also acted as a session musician on a handfull of recordings.

Al is also the proud proprietor of Honkin' Tom's Honkin' Harmonica Shop - an excellent website that runs to sell both his custom-made harmonica microphones and all manner of harp accessories and tools!

Al is one of those musicians who just loves to play the blues and we suspect that he will be a regular feature at the club, even if he has not been booked. He's the sort of guy you can't keep away from a good gig!!

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