Eddie Bo
New Orleans , Louisiana
with

Johnny Bassett and RJ's All-stars
Detroit, Michigan
Blues

Edwin “Eddie Bo” Joseph Bocage was born in New Orleans, raised in Algiers and the 9th Ward in a family well known in the traditional jazz community. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School and spending time abroad in the Army, Eddie Bo returned to New Orleans to study at the Grundwald School of Music. It was here that he developed a unique style of piano playing and arranging that incorporated complex be-bop voicings influenced by Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, and his mother, a self-taught pianist who played in the style of Professor Longhair. Ultimately the combination of styles that became Eddie Bo’s trademark were a delightful fusion of New Orleans rhythm and blues, jazz and funk. A 1993 New York Times reviewer once said of him, "Eddie Bo has syncopation in his bones.  He's an old-fashioned, house rocking New Orleans pianist, which means he's a one-man orchestra." 

Bo, a recipient of a U. S. Congressional Lifetime Achievement Award in Jazz & Blues, also has a long career in producing music.  His first record in 1955 was for the Ace label and he has probably released more singles than any other New Orleans artist save Fats Domino. During this period, Bo also produced records by numerous local artists; his credits include work with Irma Thomas, Chris Kenner, and Johnny Adams, among others.  At the 2006 Great Lakes Folk Festival, this stalwart of the New Orleans music scene will be joined by Detroit’s Johnnie Bassett (guitar), RJ Spangler (drums) and other All-Stars TBA.  Festival-goers may remember Bassett from a special blues block at the 2003 GLFF.

Links

http://www.eddiebo.com/

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:4217gjirj6ic~T1

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