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Get ready for an exciting performance of rousing, soulful, and rollicking country Delta blues and ragtime music, when Bennett Harris takes the stage with his acoustic guitars and harmonica!
What Bennett (formerly known as Backdoor Benny) has in store is a diverse repertoire of traditional acoustic blues music, embracing various styles, eras and moods. Drawing on many sources, Bennett's inspirations include Bessie Smith, Robert Johnson, Blind Blake, on up to modern masters such as Muddy Waters, Jorma Kaukonen, Bonnie Raitt, and even Irving Berlin! Such an eclectic show wouldn't be complete without a handful of Bennett's original tunes as well.
At the core of the music is Bennett's intricate fingerpicking guitar style. It's based on the Rev. Gary Davis method (as taught to Bennett by a Davis protege, the late Ian Buchanan.) This string weaving generates a carnival-like, upbeat sound of the ragtime era, providing a warm texture behind Bennett's emotional singing and harmonica playing. An old Gibson flat top guitar is Bennett's choice of tradition. He switches guitars entirely for the gritty Delta "bottleneck" slide style, employing his pre-WWll gem of a National steel guitar. This metal-bodied resonator guitar has a memorable, commanding gut-bucket growl and whine, perfect for the rugged Delta blues sound of the Deep South plantation culture. It is a unique, all-American sound.
Bennett Harris has performed at such venues as the Turning Point, Cafe Lena, Manny's Carwash, Godfrey Daniels, Blues 2000 Festival, the Bayou, the Rosendale Cafe, Bodles Opera House, and at various festivals and clubs throughout the Northeast. Check the schedule for upcoming show information.
A great time is sure to be had by all!
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