Oli Brown biography

Up until 2002, Oli Brown had never picked up a guitar, yet by 2006 (at just 16) he had toured in America, TWICE, supported Blues royalty such as Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Taj Mahal, shared the stage with Walter Trout, Paul Jones and even the Godfather of British Blues, John Mayall and his Bluesbreakers.

Such hallowed connections only serve to reaffirm the belief, that for many, Oli is the most promising Blues man to emerge from Britain in a long time. Not only a guitar prodigy but also a singer, songwriter and consummate performer. This is a young man who shows total dedication to the genre he loves.

In late 2006, whilst playing at jam sessions, Oli met Simon Dring, a superb drummer and Fred Hollis, a highly talented bass player. It was during these sessions, finding that not only did they get on well musically, but also as friends, that Oli asked both Fred and Simon to join him in The Oli Brown Band.

Paul Jones saw and heard the potential and invited The Oli Brown Band, to do a live session for his BBC Radio 2 show. The session was aired May 14 and received rave reviews.

Oli went back to play in the States during July and August of 2007 (guesting with the American Blues band, Blinddog Smokin') there he hit the Mid West with his young British Blues and built up his reputation even more, they loved him.

In November 2007, the Oli Brown Band was selected by "Blues in Britain" to perform at the 24th International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. Oli and his band were the ONLY UK act to be chosen to represent Britain at this prestigious event !!

Oli signed to the major Blues label, Ruf Records, in January 2008 and has been in the studio (with Fred and Simon) putting down the tracks for his first official album, with a release date being suggested as June 2008.

In February 2008, Oli was invited to record at Ardent Studios by John Fry himself, not only to cut a couple of tracks, but also to have The Oli Brown Band record a live session for their "Ardent Session". An honour indeed and not taken for granted. It is worth pointing out that the live session had over 1.4 million hits (YES ! 1.4 million !) in three weeks !

More UK gigs (including supporting artists such as Johnny Winter, Robben Ford, Walter Trout, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Jon Cleary and Buddy Whittington), a European tour and a return to the States beckon during 2008, Oli has a busy time ahead !

Ecstatic reviews, both here and in America, only go to show that this young British Blues boy has the potential for a great future.

Haven't seen Oli perform ? Here are some comments from people that have,

"a great talent" John Mayall
"Oli is MY hero" Walter Trout
"a great band, the BEST we have worked with" Devon Allman (son of Greg Allman)
"East Anglian whiz kid not to be missed" Paul Jones (Manfred Mann, The Blues Band, BBC Radio 2 )
"Oli is the most promising Blues man to emerge from Britain for a long time" Blues Matters magazine
"a lot of fire and passion" Aynsley Lister
"he PLAYS the Blues" Otis Grand
"more soulful and rhythmically creative than a Zulu war drummer !" Elmore (American music magazine.)
"the real deal" Blues in Britain magazine
"Oli has our recommendation for future shows with Johnny Winter" Paul Nelson, Johnny Winter's manager.
"let's do it again !" The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Oli is encouraging ALL ages to come to his gigs, none go away unhappy and all want more !

An Oli Brown Band gig gives you a powerful collection of original tracks, interspersed with a number of fine classic Blues numbers, interpreted the Oli Brown Band way.

Oli's website, www.olibrownband.co.uk, has some great video coverage of his performances with his own band and you can also see Oli performing with Walter Trout, Aynsley Lister and, of course, with the Godfather himself, John Mayall !

The website, which is updated regularly, will also tell you about his forthcoming gigs and other news on this rising star.