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Michael Packer Blues Band
Singer-songwriter, guitar and keyboardist Michael
Packer has been playing professionally for over 40 years. Packer was
discovered and signed to Atlantic records by Ahmet Ertegun in 1969 with
his group Papa Nebo which included tenor sax player Bob Mintzer who
later became leader of The Yellowjackets. In the 70's Packer recorded
three albums for Buddah and RCA record and toured extensively with the
likes of Johnny Rivers, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Doug Sahm and Clifton
Chanier. In the 80's Packer opened for John Hammond but due to chronic
alcoholism Michael Packer soon hit the skids and found himself living
on the streets of New York. Packer was in and out of jail much of his
life and finally had to do some time at Rikers Island. In prison Packer
had a band and did shows for the inmates and was included in the HBO
documentary ' The Prisoners of Rikers Island '. Prison was actually the
turning point of his life. Packer got clean and sober and good things
started to happen for him. Packer has been sober 15 years and has
recorded seven albums. His band, The Michael Packer Blues Band, has
earned critical acclaim. The band has opened for Levon Helm, Bettye
LaVette and Commander Cody, and has toured with the Pete Best Band.
Many
contemporary artists such as pianist David Maxwell, Blues Brother Lou
Marini, and Bob Mintzer have sat in with the band. Jimmy Vivino,
guitarist
from The Tonight Show, has also performed with Michael, and is quoted
as saying "Some musicians do
the blues. Michael Packer is the blues."
Michael Packer has recently begun backing 94-year old Delta Blues
legend David "Honeyboy" Edwards, playing 2nd guitar for
occasional gigs, including upcoming gigs at Briggs Farm Blues Festival
and Mississippi Railroad Picnic, and a recent gig at Larry Holmes
Ringside Restaurant.
The Michael Packer Blues Band consists of Ed Jackson - percussion and
vocals, King Bear - bass, and Bad Eddie Suozzo - drums
Quotes
"Michael Packer is the Blues." -Big
City Blues Magazine
"Four Aces"
- Blues Revue
"The musicianship is exciting!" -Elmore Magazine
"Impassioned"
-Living Blues
"NYC Blues at it's best" -Blueswax
"Michael Packer has lived the blues and now he plays them
with style." -Village
Voice
Testimonials
"a prolific
songwriter who is well
versed in the blues and country-inflected Americana roots music. His
four albums with his bands from the 1970's are cult classics and his
Michael Packer Blues Band releases (coming fast and furious since the
late 1990's), are a wonderful mixture of semi-obscure cover songs and
totally in the pocket original compositions. Michael Packer IS the
blues and, he's the keeper of the flame in New York City!" -Michael
Adams (Halt Music Co.)
"If todays Blues had a face, it would be the face of Michael Packer."
-David E. Jones
Sound Clips
Video Clips
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Michael
Packer - Free Beer
Style:
Blues
Michael Packer
has been a staple of the New York City Blues and Folk music scene since
he was 15 years old and playing at the Bitter End in Greenwich Village.
This well-known and respected member of the New England Blues community
brings you his latest recording “Free Beer,” a
strong blues-rock album including an eclectic mix of originals and
classics, all firmly rooted in NYC blues traditions with a touch of
Chicago Blues flare.
Catalog
#4513 (Released February 16, 2010) |
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