Keith Dunn
Keith's stage presence and charisma as a bandleader brings him to major festivals and venues all over the world. He is also an in-demand back-up musician. Keith has performed at the Sunflower River Blues Festival with Big Jack Johnson in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Big Jack's hometown. In Europe, he is a featured member of the Big Jack Johnson touring band.
Keith's songwriting, described as having "the political activism of J.B. Lenoir and the attitude of Junior Wells," is highlighted on "Alone With The Blues," released on his own Deetone Records label (DCD 5501). On these recordings, Keith plays and sings his songs alone, without overdubs or guest musicians making this a first in the history of recorded blues. "Alone With The Blues" has received enthusiastic reviews from many of the leading music publications including Living Blues in the U.S.A. and Blues and Rhythm in England. One of the songs, "Need To Make A Dollar," received a songwriting award from the International Songwriting Competition.
Since the release of "Alone With The Blues," Keith Dunn has performed his solo show at the SPAH Festival in St. Louis, the Amal Blues Fest in Sweden, the Blues Live Fest in Finland, the Koldo Mitxelena Cultural Center in San Sebastian, Spain, Copenhagen Blues Festival in Denmark and the prestigious Hohner Harmonica Festival in Trossingen, Germany. He has played numerous radio and television shows, as well as festivals, in Norway, France, Italy, Poland, Belgium, Greece and Holland.
He is active with record production and produced the critically acclaimed album, "She's Magic," also on Deetone Records, (DCD 5502) for finger picking style guitarist, Willem van Dullemen.
Keith's musical christening came at gospel practice sessions that he heard in the family home. When Keith was nine years old, T-Bone Walker came to town and gave a free outdoor concert at the field where Keith played baseball. This was his first blues concert. He bought his first harmonica shortly after his twelfth birthday and was soon playing at parties and with street players around town.
As a youngster in Boston, he listened to the radio station, W-I-L-D. Curtis Mayfield and Smokey Robinson were early favorites. He became very active in the politics of the day and thru these activities, started listening to Archie Shepp and John Coltrane. Keith had records by Sonny Boys I and II. Though his style was developing, he still played purely acoustic harmonica. This was all about to change.
Seeing the Junior Wells - Buddy Guy Band, provided Keith with the model for the formation that he wanted. His first band, Blue Lightning, played material by Wells, Jimmy Rogers, Rice Miller and two artists that he often went to see at that time, James Cotton and Muddy Waters. His second band, the Honeydrippers, was a guitar/saxophone driven unit that played everything from Monk to Muddy. This experience had a big influence on Keith.
Keith Dunn's style is lyrical, melodic and percussive. It differs from that of most other harmonica players. It reflects his love of big bands and jazz singers; and is not surprising considering the time that he spent in the company of artists such as James Cotton, Hubert Sumlin, Roy Eldridge, Big Walter Horton and Jimmy Rogers, who was Keith's fishing partner for a summer in Rhode Island. His style and dedication saw him through successful stays in Boston, Providence, Austin and Dallas, Texas and San Francisco before bringing him to Europe.
With his harmonica master classes, recording productions for Deetone Records,
solo, performances, gigs with his band and guest appearances with artists such
as Big Jack Johnson, Keith's fans enjoy the benefits of his three decades plus,
around music. A dedicated artist, Keith Dunn provides the authentic blues
experience. This is brought to life on his album, the critically acclaimed
"Alone With The Blues."
this web site was made possible in part through the sponsorship of
Griffiths Marshall Chartered Accountants
172 Southgate Street
Gloucester GL1 2EZ
Tel: 01452 520000