Otis Grand’s music career spans over 25 years. Otis
Grand has played a major role in the evolution of the modern blues scene
in Britain.
After the decline of the British Blues boom of the 60’s , Otis arrived
on the scene and formed his 10-pieces Rhythm and Blues band , and firmly
established his act and style of blues in Britain , quickly becoming a
firm favorite throughout Europe.
Guitarist Otis Grand has been playing blues guitar since the age of 13 -
Otis says: "I never listened to any one but B.B.
King and Robert Johnson for a
very very long time, and I am glad I’ve missed out on all the heavy
blues/rock/acid thing that was going on in the 60’s. This way I have
preserved the deep blues roots of my playing style, which now goes with
me in whatever musical journey I am attempting."
In 1988 Otis Grand released his first album ‘Always Hot’ with his big
band. The band quickly dominated the UK blues scene, and soon after
began to establish an international audience by touring extensively in
Europe, and also as an opening act for such major stars as
John Lee Hooker,
BB King,
Albert Collins, Stevie Ray
Vaughan, and Steve Winwood, among others.
The following years he released three further CD’s each with a veteran
Blues artists: Guitar Shorty in 1991,
Phillip Walker in 1992, and 50’s
Tenor sax star Joe Houston in 1994. The Shorty release won a coveted
W.C. Handy Award for best Blues album
(foreign)
In 1990 Otis Grand released his first solo album for Sequel Records with
musicians and guests from the USA. The album, titled "He Knows the
Blues", was critically and commercially acclaimed. This album was
testimony to Otis’ superb song writing and guitar playing, and as well
as his standing in the blues fraternity by the caliber of artists who
agreed to appear on this album.
1995 release of Otis’ second album for Sequel," Nothing Else matters "
further established his reputation as one of the country’s best and most
convincing bluesman. This powerhouse release mixes slow scorchers with
up-tempo jumpers that had the dance floors from Scandinavia to
California packed. This album was also Grand’s major U,S debut and a ‘
kick the door open’ approach to American Blues fans. The CD established
Otis as the highest seller in the UK and Europe with total sales
outdoing other blues artist, including Robert Cray and Duke Robillard.
It has also debuted at no. 8 and reached on the US top 20 Blues Charts,
and received extensive radio play in both Canada and the USA.
With his third release for Sequel , Perfume & Grime, Otis Grand became a
huge guitar star all over the USA & Canada. During the summer and autumn
of 1998, Otis embarked on a major tour of Canada and the United states,
and appeared at all the major Blues festivals, including the long
running San Francisco Blues festival, and the Mighty Cisco Systems
OTTAWA Bluesfest. This led to a 2 year stretch with
IKE TURNER & the Rhythm Kings .. as
Guitarist and Band leader. Otis also performed in concert throughout the
UK and Europe with his own band in support of the GRAND UNION CD
release, with special appearances by Anson Funderburgh and Debbie Davis.
Otis continues to tour throughout the world, bringing his Classic Big
Band Blues to many festivals and Events. He released a long-awaited Live
CD plus a highly acclaimed duet CD with Joe Louis Walker aptly titled
"Guitar Brothers". He also continues to make special guest appearances
with other Blues Artists, and through the annual OTIS GRAND R&B ALLSTAR
EXTRAVAGANZA, has teamed super artists like
STEVE CROPPER and KIM WILSON together
with the Late ROSCO GORDON and
SUGAR RAY Norcia. Others legendary artists invited were
Joe Houston,
T99 NELSON.
Otis has also started a " Blues in Schools " lecture program aimed at
the younger generation and which has been very successfully received in
High Schools in the South of Britain.
Recently, Sanctuary Records released a 2 CD, 34 track best-of
Compilation of Otis' 5 Studio Recordings in recognition of sales figures
in the past 10 years. The label has created a well-packaged and
informative product containing the best tracks with many special guest
artists. The Box set is aptly titled "In Grand Style", and has been a
best seller in the UK and Europe.
Otis has also been very busy as a Producer for many other Blues Bands
throughout Europe who want that special OG recording sound that is
immediately recognizable as a mix of pure vintage and modern sounds of
the Blues. A recent Production task saw him collaborating with Swing
sensation Little Charlie Baty, who came out of retirement to record with
Otis for Bliss Street Records.