Multiple award-winning recording artist and 2x JUNO nominee Michael Pickett is one of Canada's primo solo acoustic Roots, Blues, Americana singer/songwriters and an international touring artist. His reputation as an uncompromising powerhouse performer extends throughout North America, the UK, and Europe earning standing ovations from Massey Hall in Toronto to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia, WA to the Teatro Ciudad de Marbell in Marbella, Spain.
In the 70s, 80s, and 90s Pickett established himself as a musically ground-breaking, electrifying singer/songwriter/harmonica player, leading seminal bands Whiskey Howl, Wooden Teeth, and the Michael Pickett Band. These bands pushed the envelope for Blues and funky Roots music in Canada. He provided the direction for all three projects, surrounding himself with the top musicians in the country.
1998 saw the release of his long anticipated debut band CD, Blues Money. This all original recording was nominated for a JUNO and received the Jazz Report and Real Blues awards for ’Blues Album of the Year’. Pickett was also presented with the coveted Maple Blues ’Blues With A Feeling Award’ in recognition of his passion and lifetime commitment to the Blues.
In 2000 he released his second band CD, Conversation With The Blues, which earned another JUNO nomination and won the Indie Music Award for ’Blues Album of the Year’. Described by BILLBOARD as "transcending the urban Blues idiom", it is an eclectic mix of ten originals comprised of Blues, R&B, Soul, Jazz, Delta, and Gospel.
In 2002, Pickett went solo. Today, his unique fusion of sensibilities, driven by his thumping delta guitar rhythms, muscular harmonica and gravel and chains voice is, at once, traditional and relevant. He delivers charismatic, compelling, and passionate performances that are charged with electricity and filled with authenticity and a unique style. He puts his own spin on obscure tunes of legendary icons such as Robert Johnson, Bukka White, Mississippi John Hurt, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee and showcases his own potently eclectic material. This songwriter has evolved into a captivating storyteller through Delta Blues, Country, Folk, and Americana, revealing a profound understanding of where this music comes from and why it stands the test of time.
"One of the finest harmonica players of all time." Lee Oskar
"I had a vision that he was gonna be one of the best. In my book he is." Hubert Sumlin
"An amazing artist who breathes new life into the Blues with energy and charisma." Downeast (USA)
"His [songs] transcend the urban Blues idiom." Billboard
"He's got it folks! A real student of the Blues." Sing Out! (USA)
"One of Canada's top acoustic Blues artists." Blues Revue (USA)
"Gives good chase to John Hammond on guitar and leaves him behind on harp!" Blues Matters! (UK)
"Occupying center stage is Pickett whose talents on harmonica and resophonic guitar shine throughout." Performing Songwriter (USA)
He has shared the stage with Big Mama THORNTON . John Lee HOOKER . James COTTON . Jeff HEALEY . Bo DIDDLEY . Koko TAYLOR . DOWNCHILD Blues Band . John HAMMOND . Matt "Guitar" MURPHY . Doug KERSHAW . Willie 'BIG EYES' Smith . Snooky PRYOR . Sunnyland SLIM . Lazy LESTER . Tom RUSH . Josh WHITE Jr . Rory Block . Brooks WILLIAMS . Matt MINGLEWOOD . T.Graham BROWN . Kentucky HEADHUNTERS. Hubert SUMLIN . Taj MAHAL. Muddy WATERS . Son SEALS . Big Bill MORGANFIELD . Robert CRAY . Buddy GUY . Jon CLEARY . TEA Party . Gary NICHOLSON . The PLAYERS . FORTUNATE Sons . Colin LINDEN . Brian STOLTZ . George PORTER Jr . Rev. Billy C. WIRTZ . The NIGHTHAWKS . WATERMELON Slim . Lee OSKAR . Jerry PORTNOY . MAGIC Dick . and more.
www.michaelpickett.com
www.youtube.com/michaelpickettsolo
www.myspace.com/michaelpickettsolo
www.cdbaby.com/all/michaelpickett
Bookings & Interviews:
Mother Earth Management
mail@michaelpickett.com
289.876.9202
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