OTIS GRAND

OTIS GRAND, the Gentle Giant of the Blues, has absorbed a wide spectrum of Blues styles in the past four decades and now leads the hottest TRUE Blues and R & B band around today. More importantly, he not only carries the real blues TORCH for the heros of yesterday, his superb blues guitar technique and playing and originality and a tight band that rocks mean, Otis Grand also sets the standards for many others to follow which ensure that he is at the top of the Blues scene for many years to come. Otis Grand has pioneered the big band blues sound over the last few years, starting with a West Coast R&B band and now moving into his present guitar led Big City style Blues. For the past ten years Otis has recieved a number of Awards including UK BLUES GUITARIST OF THE YEAR ( 1990- 96), Best Blues Albums, Best Band, and nominations to the prestigious W.C. HANDY BLUES Awards in Memphis, Tenn.Surely testimony enough of the man's ability and dedication to the Blues.

Anyone who has experienced the Gentle Giant of the Blues in action can bear witness to the devastating effect he and his band can have on the audience. His gigs are now legendry, drawing acclaim from purists and from those who come looking for a good night out.Otis has toured consantly turning in consistently great performances, building a big following and confirming his "numero uno" status in Europe.

On his 1992 CD, the esteem with which Otis is now held by his many friends in the Blues World is evident by the stature of those musicians who have joined him on "HE KNOWS THE BLUES". Critics have already claimed it to be "...one of the best contemporary blues records heard for a long,long time". ( source : Tony Burke - Editor, Blues & Rhythm Magazine )

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 favourite 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.