Diz Watson
Diz Watson at Green Note, London
About the show
Ace Records Artist Diz ‘Honeybear’ Watson, piano player, singer and entertainer, is a quintessential exponent of New Orleans style piano, and exuberant mix of Barrelhouse, Rhythm and Blues, Rock n Roll, and Boogie Woogie. He recorded the classic ‘Bluecoat Man’ for Ace Records in 1981, featuring the legendary Lee Allen on saxophone, and in 1995 cut ‘Tonky Honk’ with Big Jay McNeely. Diz has worked and opened for the likes of Chas and Dave, Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry, Alexis Korner, Axel Swingenburger, Dr. John and the Rolling Stones.
Charlie Hart (Producer of Bluecoat Man) comments : “Diz is a phenomenon, definitely the coolest of Yorkshiremen and a connoisseur of the exotic, his influences are Champion Jack Dupree, all the way to Abdullah Ibrahim. Diz gets the essentially multi-cultural nature of music better than anyone, having absorbed the blues from the inside.”
As Gaz Mayall says “Be there or be somewhere else, especially if you need proof that the spirit of Professor Longhair lives on.”
Featuring - Diz Watson
Taking as his prime influence, the piano style of new Orleans, a potent gumbo a barrel house, boogie woogie and the main ingredient... the Blues. Diz Watson is now one of its quintessential exponents, and in his playing all his great mentors are apparent - Professor Longhair, Archibald, Dr John, Cousin Joe, Fats Domino and especially his good friend Champion Jack Dupree. Diz strongly believes in the three E..s; ears, empathy and emotion. But the thing that holds this process together is his favourite ingredient... and that's the Blues.