I first saw Bryan “Braille Blues Daddy” Lee on University Avenue in June 2000 when he was part of the du Maurier Downtown Jazz festival. If I remember correctly, he shared a stage that day with C. J. Chenier and our own Canadian piano phenom, Tyler Yarema. I had recently rediscovered the world of blues and, being a guy from the burbs, had finally become comfortable in our local blues scene with our fabulous local talent and venues. But I could hardly wait to see and listen to an international star, even though many of my blues friends seemed to know little, if anything, about Bryan Lee.

When you think of Bryan Lee you automatically think New Orleans Blues. But he was born in Wisconsin and when he first tried to enter the blues world through Chicago he ran into racial problems. Because of his skin colour (white) he just couldn’t catch on. He kept being told, "Well y’know man, you’re really good, but you’re white, and that’s unfortunate because we don’t hire white artists". Around that same time Muddy Waters, whom the young Lee idolized, told him; “Bryan, stay with this, one day you’re going to be a living legend“. Bryans response, in his own words; “I went home and cried“. So in 1982, contrary to the usual blues migration, he headed south to New Orleans and quickly fit into the blues world there. Just as quickly his reputation grew not only amongst blues lovers but blues players as well. His most recent CD, “My Lady Don’t Love My Lady“  (referring to his wife and his guitar), has guest appearances by Buddy Guy, Doug James, Sax Gordon and Kenny Wayne Shepard and is produced by Duke Robillard at Justin Time.

Lee recently was in Toronto at the Silver Dollar with his Blues Power Band. And while Lee is considered a genius himself, there is a saying; “if you want to appear to be brilliant, surround yourself with brilliance” and that is exactly what Lee does with his band. The rhythm section of John Perkins on drums and Slim Lewis on Bass were brilliant. “Second” guitar, Brent Johnson, is a fabulous guitarist in his own right and Bryan didn’t hesitate to allow his protégé to let loose when the time was right. I have the utmost respect for a leading artist that allows his supporting cast to shine forth their own talents, and not just in a token way. It shows great maturity and confidence in their own abilities as musicians.

It was a great evening of straight ahead New Orleans Blues and I plan to be the first in line when Bryan Lee and the Blues Power Band returns to Toronto.

Remember, it's a privilege to experience live music. Get out to a local club and support your local musicians and clubs. And be sure to buy your CDs directly from the artist. The blues is alive and well in Canada but it's up to us to keep it going.

For more blues photos, visit my web site at: www.dawk.ca

Larry "Dawk" McCarthy

© 2010 - All photos copyright Larry "Dawk" McCarthy.
Copying or use of the images is not permitted without written permission.