Biography
At the age of four he sang for his grandmother who tossed him nickels
and dimes while she sat at the kitchen table sipping her whiskey -
laced tea. His mother bought him a harmonica when he was about 13.
Shortly after that he saw Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee on tv and he
was hooked for life. The soul of this timeless genre is deeply rooted
in his psyche and he continues to nurture this passion.
Pickett embraces the Blues with style, substance and musical integrity. In the 70s, 80s, and 90s he established himself as a musically ground-breaking, electrifying singer/songwriter/harmonica player, leading seminal bands Whiskey Howl, Wooden Teeth, and the Michael Pickett Band. Musically profound, they pushed the envelope for Blues and funky Roots music. He provided the direction for all three projects and surrounded himself with some of the top musicians in the country.
Whiskey Howl was always a great live band but what truly made it stand out were the undeniable abilities of the band’s two lead vocalists: Pickett, one of the world’s most accomplished ‘harp players’ and the late John Witmer, arguably one of Canada’s most gifted R&B singers. Whiskey Howl was signed by Warner Bros. in '72. The band toured coast to coast, from the late 60s to the early 80s, venturing into New York City to perform at The Village Gate and disbanded in '81 following their high profile reunion gig at the El Mocambo in Toronto. A recording of that night has been released on CD - 'Whiskey Howl Big Band / Live at the El Mocambo'.
Wooden Teeth ('76-'79) was a group of diverse musical talents coming together to create a raw, exciting, extremely tight progressive Blues/ Funk sound covering material from Little Feat to Tower of Power as well as several excellent originals and occasionally introducing the odd Jazz/Fusion instrumental. The band was contemporary, knocking out a class of rocking, infectious Soul that was tight enough to be called professional and improvisational enough to take it to the edge. The roster turned over until the core band took root with Pickett (vocals/harp), John Tilden (guitar), Omar Tunnoch (bass), and Vito Rezza (drums). One of the highlights of this band was opening for Papa John Creach, and backing up Big Mama Thornton, and John Lee Hooker at Massey Hall. (Hooker was late to arrive, trouble with a flight or something, and Michael met him for the first time on stage that night.)
Michael Pickett Band ('81-'02) clearly documented Pickett's profound musical journey and his constant search for the 'truth' in the song, be it his own or a cover. The core band consisted of vocal/harp (Pickett), bass (Steve Chadwick), guitar (notably Shawn Kellerman), and drums (often Gary Craig). It was a rotating roster of exemplary musicians occasionally ballooning into a big band with keys, backup singers, and horns. Pickett was the one constant - the source of inspiration, imagination, and fearlessness. He worked without a net which meant no set list. He was all about establishing a groove and seeing where it would take him... and the band. Instead of being in the spotlight, as most harmonica work is presented, Pickett often layered his into the background. As a result, his arrangements were unique and highlighted the genius in his songwriting.
1998 was a banner year when he released his long anticipated and eagerly awaited debut 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’. Michael was also presented with the coveted Maple Blues ‘Blues With A Feeling Award’ in recognition of his passion and lifetime commitment to the Blues.
2000 saw the release of his second CD Conversation With The Blues which earned him another JUNO nomination and won the Canadian Indie Music Award for ‘Blues Album of the Year’. This extraordinary recording, described by Billboard as “transcend[ing] the urban Blues idiom”, is an eclectic mix of ten original compositions comprised of Blues, R&B, Soul, Jazz, Delta, and Gospel.
PICKETT RE-INVENTS HIMSELF
It’s worth mentioning here that Pickett laid down an acoustic resophonic guitar track on Blues Money... he hadn't taken his guitar out of the box for over 20 years. He laid down another one for Conversation With The Blues. His focus was still on the band but he found himself steadily being drawn back into the realm of acoustic Blues which was how it all began for him as that 13 year old discovering Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. In 2001, he immersed himself in the guitar and was soon practicing up to 14 hours a day. With focus and diligence, this musical transition transformed him into a formidable guitarist on the six-string, twelve-string, and National Steel-Bodied Duolian. In the fall of 2002, the metamorphosis was complete. Leaving the band behind, he re-emerged revealing yet another layer of his seemingly endless reservoir of musical talents.
With exceptional award winning rack harmonica skills and powerful vocals, 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 potent material. This songwriter has evolved into an eclectic and 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.
Pickett now performs exclusively as a solo acoustic artist touring throughout Canada, the US, the UK. and Europe, appearing in Blues, Folk, Jazz clubs, coffee houses, house concerts, theatres, festivals and is no stranger to standing ovations and calls for encores.
He has hosted and participated in harmonica and acoustic guitar workshops over the years and is a professional, private instructor of these instruments. His presence in songwriting circles has proven to be extremely valuable because of his authentic representation/ interpretation of acoustic Roots/Blues.
TOUR CREDITS
He has played with and/or 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 . 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 . Anthony Gomes . Gary Nicholson . The Players . Fortunate Sons, Colin Linden, Brian Stoltz, George Porter Jr., Rev. Billy C. Wirtz, The Nighthawks, and more.
FESTIVALS
CANADA
London Blues Festival - Quebec City Blues Festival - Mariposa Folk Festival - Winnipeg Jazz Festival - Sasktel Jazz Festival - DuMaurier Jazz Festival - JVC Jazz Festival - Beaches International Jazz Festival - Markham Jazz Festival - Porquis Blues Festival - Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival - Mont Tremblant Blues Festival - Southside Shuffle Blues Festival - Deer Lake Blues Festival - Rimouski Jazz Festival - Riverfront Jubilee Festival - Harbourfront Blues Festival - Winterfolk Festival - Canal Bank Shuffle - Orangeville Jazz & Blues Festival - Stan Rogers Festival - Taste of Little Italy - Ottawa Blues Festival - Limestone Blues Festival
U.S.
NEBS Blues Festival (MA)
Lowcountry Blues Bash (SC)
EUROPE
Dresden BluesRock Festival (GERMANY)
Wendelstein Blues Festival (GERMANY)
Neuwel Festival (AUSTRIA)
UK
Dartmouth Music Festival
Banbury Blues Festival
Bristol Blues Festival
SHOWCASES, VENUES, WORKSHOPS
Blues Summit (Toronto), Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (Winnipeg), Folk Alliance (Nashville), NXNE (Toronto)
Performs in blues, folk, and jazz clubs, coffee houses, theatres, throughout Canada, US, and Europe.
Has hosted and participated in many harmonica and acoustic guitar workshops over the last 25 years and is a professional, private instructor of these instruments. Has a long-standing friendship and endorsement deal with Lee Oskar (Lee Oskar Harmonicas). Is a highly respected and award-winning songwriter whose presence in songwriting circles has proven to be extremely valuable because of his authentic representation/interpretation of acoustic roots/blues.
ASSOCIATIONS
Michael has made numerous appearances on local and international radio and television shows involving interviews and live in-studio performances.
AFFILIATIONS
SOCAN A.F.of M. A.C.T.R.A.
RADIO/TV COMMERCIALS
In 1988, Michael's voice was chosen to be The Budman in an unprecedented seven year Budweiser 'Blues' campaign which aired nationwide on radio and tv. In addition to his songs and voiceovers, his distinctive harmonica sounds were also used. A healthy jingle career was born out of that campaign and Michael's voice/songs/harp were used in a vast number of commercials across Canada and into the US.
RECORDING CREDITS
06
DAVID GOGO ACOUSTIC: Official Bootleg Series, Volume 2 / David Gogo
05
WHISKEY HOWL BIG BAND LIVE AT THE EL MOCAMBO '81 / Whiskey Howl / Solid Gold Records / EMI
NARROW HOUSE / Doc MacLean / Independent
THE STORY / Matt Minglewood / Norton Records
RIO / Darren Arsenault / Independent
04
LIVE AT WINTERFOLK! / Michael Pickett / Wooden Teeth Records
02
SOLO / Michael Pickett / Wooden Teeth Records
COLOR ME GONE / Charlie A'Court / Independent
00
CONVERSATION WITH THE BLUES / Michael Pickett / Solid Gold Records / EMI
GET ME SOME / Jeff Healey / Forte Records
98
BLUES MONEY / Michael Pickett / Wooden Teeth Records
RARE & BEAUTIFUL / Alan MacGregor / Independent
HARD DAYS GONE / Vito Alvaro / Saverio Records
94
JUST GETTING STARTED / Rita Chiarelli / Stony Plain Records
RISQUE / Terez Montcalm / BMG Records
93
SOME OTHER TIME / Tim Thorney / Epic Records
92
LONESOME & HURTING / Vern Cheechoo / Denon Records
SHAKE YOUR SPIRIT / Frozen Ghost / Capitol Records
91
FIRE ME BACK / Rita Coolidge / Attic Records
89
IN HER DREAM / Bobby Wiseman / WEA Records
88
GROSSMAN'S LIVE 2 / Michael Pickett, Exec. Prod. / Spadina Beat Records
87
GROSSMAN'S LIVE / Michael Pickett, Prod. / Spadina Beat Records
THE JITTERS / The Jitters / Capitol Records
82
GHOST CULTURE / Robbie Rox / Rosehill Records
81
FAMILY REUNION '74 / Whiskey Howl / Rosehill Records
78
CHRIS HALL / Chris Hall / Warner Bros.
76
BIG BAD BO / Bo Diddley / Warner Bros.
75
DIARY OF A SINNER / Movie Soundtrack w. Bo Diddley
72
WHISKEY HOWL / Whiskey Howl / Warner Bros.
