www.twisters.ca

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Greg Baert
604-688-1976
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• Nominated for a JUNO Award in 2003 forBest Blues Album
• WINNER of the Canadian Independent Music Awards in 2003 for Blues Album of the Year
• The Twisters features Dave Hoerl—one of Canada’s foremost harmonica players. Nominated in 1997, 1998, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009 for Harmonica Player of the Year by the Toronto Blues Society's Maple Blues Awards

Biography

Paying dues to the blues tradition, The Twisters swing hard with two inspired vocalists, tightly woven harp & guitar lines, upright bass and a relentless driving rhythm section forging a groove that refuses to be denied.

Each of the members has brought his musical talents and influences to the table, resulting in a potpourri of "Roots Cuisine" guaranteed to satisfy the most discerning  palette. From deep in the Mississippi Delta to early Chicago shuffles, from infectious Texas grinders to West Coast jump, funky swamp-soaked Louisiana rhythms, to blues-a-billy swing, The Twisters serve up the goods. Top it all off with strong original compositions and a live show renowned for rockin' the house and there's only one thing left. do yourself a favour and see what the storm's all about when The Twisters blow through your town.

The Twisters,  founded in 1994 by harmonica player/vocalist Dave "Hurricane" Hoerl, (originally from San Francisco)  have recorded 5 albums, with another one on the way. Signed to the NorthernBlues label in 2006, their debut album for the label is After The Storm. Brandon Isaak, guitarist/vocalist for the band is from Whitehorse, Yukon. He is an exceptional songwriter, and both Brandon and Dave are the principal songwriters as well as vocalists for the Twisters. Most of their material is original. Their signature sound is guitar and harmonica weaving in and out, and they usually trade lead vocals as well as sing harmonies. Joined on upright bass by Keith Picot, an exceptionally talented slap/swing player and Chip Hart on the drums, The Twisters are known as Canada's top jump/swing blues band, and their current album on the NorthernBlues label, "Come Out Swingin'"  released in 2009 has expanded their rootsy sound and material to include some reggae, R&B, and Gospel, along with swing and blues.

David Hoerl - Harmonica, vocals

Born and raised in San Francisco, David was originally tutored by Rick Estrin and David Burgin in the art of Blues Harmonica. He has since played with some of the best blues musicians in the U.S. and Canada, including: Mike Bloomfield, Albert Collins, Percy Mayfield, Big Mama Thornton, Little Joe Blue, Freddie Roulette, Big Joe Duskin, Pee Wee Crayton, Steve Freund, Carl Weathersby, Phil Guy, Sonny Rhodes and Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne. In 1982 David came to Canada with Kenny Wayne, and became a landed immigrant in 1986. In Canada he has recorded with Powder Blues, Valdy, Gary Fjellgaard, and played on numerous jingles and commercials.

As the founding member and sole remaining original Twister, he has received numerous accolades and awards for songwriting, vocals and harmonica playing, including being nominated in 1997, 1998, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2009 for "Harmonica Player of the Year" by the Toronto Blues Society's "Maple Blues Awards". According to West Coast Blues Review (1995) and Real Blues Magazine (1996-2006) David Hoerl is "Canada's Top Harp Blower".

Brandon Isaak - Guitar, vocals

This young red haired guitar player has monster tone and technique. He moved from his hometown of Whitehorse, Yukon to Vancouver, BC in 1999, where he joined the Twisters. He has shared the stage with many great blues artists, including Taj Mahal, Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials, Robben Ford, Canned Heat,Jeff Healy, Big Dave McLean, Rusty Zinn, Colin Linden just to name a few. Brandon toured all over Europe with Joe Louis Walker, Willie Hayes and Ken Faltonson on numerous festivals and TV shows.

Brandon played guitar on the 2006 Juno Award-winning album "Let It Loose" with Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, and appears on 11 albums with many different artists. When he plays, he travels to a different time and space. You can hear it as well as see it.

"Brandon Isaak is unquestionably a superstar in the making, playing with tone, imagination and taste" 

Chip Hart - Drums

A career musician and drummer, Chip hails from Onaway Michigan, and began his musical career when he enlisted in the Armed Services, touring Europe with the U.S. Navy Jazz Band. Chip relocated to Seattle in 1989 after serving in the military, playing throughout the Pacific Northwest, Western Canada, Alaska, and Europe with numerous respected blues artists from the West Coast, including renowned harmonica player Lee Oscar from the group "War", and Fat James Band out of Seattle, among others. Shortly thereafter, Chip got the opportunity to work with Paul Rodgers, the "voice of Bad Company". In 2000, Chip relocated to Nashville, and went from playing with the voice of rock and roll to the voice of country music when he toured with country legend Vern Gosden. In the spring of 2005, Chip was invited to join Canadian country artist George Canyon as full-time drummer and toured with him for a year and a half, performing live at the Grand Ole Opry, on the CCMA's, ECMA's, Canada AM TV, and numerous tours. He has worked with Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and Mike Little of the Road Hammers, including others. This past year has found Chip busy on the road and in the studios, and has culminated in joining Canada’s premier jump-blues band, The Twisters. "The Twisters drum chair is a very challenging one. I need to juggle between a very aggressive improvisational style along with precise discipline and it has to swing hard. These boys have raised the bar for me and I am having a blast!!"

Keith Picot - Bass Fiddle, vocals

Unforgettable is what a performance by stand-up bassist Keith Picot is. Better bass players one will encounter but a bass player who gives more of himself and is such a joy to watch is decidedly much harder to find. Whether singing and leading his own band, or supporting the talent of such bands as: The Twisters, Cousin Harley, Joe Dollar and Juno Award winner Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, he always gives 110 percent. With a hard hitting slap style all his own he can drive a beat like the devil, then equally and effortlessly draw out the sweet tones of a saint. You are guaranteed pleasure when watching Keith Picot do what he loves to do.

1996- Fulla Hot Air (Full Swing Records)

2002- Long Hard Road (Full Swing)

2004- Live at Harvest Fest (Full Swing)

2006- After The Storm (NorthernBlues Music)

2009- Come Out Swingin' (NorthernBlues Music)
Come Out Swingin' CD reviews:
In a Blue Mood Blog
Blogcritics.org
Blues Underground
The Province
Edmonton Sun
Napster
Blues Magazine NL
Grand Rapids Media Community Center

The Twisters from Canada perform at Ground Zero, Memphis, Tenn., during the International Blues Challenge. Brandon Isaak, guitar; Dave Hoerl, vocals and harp; Keith Picot on bass; Chip Hart, drums.