Probably the only band, ever, in New Zealand to feature not one but two washboard players! They also feature acoustic and resonator guitars, upright bass, fiddle, lap steel, mandolin, djembe, Cajon, and more.
Versatile bluesman par excellence Mike Garner has eight CDs to his credit. Mike has toured internationally, with successful jaunts to Australia, Japan, Europe, the US, and he even ventured to Kathmandu, Nepal, for the Himalayan Blues Festival. Mike plays ragtime, blues and other pre-war American music as though he has lived it.
$20 on the door (if not sold out prior) or pre-sales here on Eventfinda.
Some impressive accolades Mike has achieved in his extensive career include third prize in The International Songwriting Competition, being played on Dan Ackroyd’s syndicated House of Blues Hour radio show and a support slot for Motown masters The Four Tops, The Miracles and The Temptations, in front of a sea of 50,000 people at the prestigious NZ Mission Estate concert in February 2010. Mike's 2020 CD, Don't Mind The Rain, was recorded in Japan and New Zealand, and released by BSMF Records in Osaka, Japan. The title track has received airplay in Japan, featuring two of the country's most experienced blues performers.
Robbie Lavën has a long experience as an international musician. In the 1970s, he was based in NZ and Australia with Red Hot Peppers, and in Europe for five years playing blues, world music and originals. Robbie contributes a wide array of accompanying instrumentation; mandolin, fiddle, Stroh violin, lap steel guitar, harmonica and washboard. On upright bass, Stewart Lawrence from Te Kauwhata, has worked with the Whangarei Big Band, and for many years with the Joe Carbery Swingtet. He has also been Mike's bass player of choice for nearly 20 years. On percussion and washboard, long-time associate Warren Houston, from Rotorua, has toured with Mike in Australia, New Caledonia and Nepal, as well as recording on most of Mike's albums for more than two decades.
review quotes:
Without a doubt, Mike Garner is one of the best known and most popular blues musicians in New Zealand. A singer with an evocative voice, he also performs acoustic and electric guitar, slide, resonator guitar, bass, mandolin and harmonica.
Vincente Zumel; Hora Del Blues, Barcelona, October 2020
Why A Woman Gets The Blues shows that Mike Garner is a very talented musician. It is a collection of songs, all played with aplomb, regardless of whether delivered solo (guitar/harp) or with the band. The UK's loss has definitely been NZ's gain! Rating 8.
Gordon Baxter, Blues in Britain
This is an inviting album that will surely make you look forward to hearing more work by the man. Mike Garner is a fascinating artist that you absolutely must discover.
Rootstime - Belgium
