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BRUCE EWAN
About the Artist
Harmonica player Bruce Ewan is respected as a blues musician in his native town of Washington, D.C., where he has been active musically for more than 25 years and has been called “a harmonica wizard” by the Washington Post.
Since 1995, Mr. Ewan has been part of the international blues scene as well, touring Europe and Latin America to great acclaim. In 2003, he and his brother, guitarist Bobby Radcliff, played the Granada Jazz Festival, accompanied by The Blues Blasters, widely regarded as Spain’s top blues band. In the United States, Mr. Ewan has shared the stage with artists like John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, and Carey Bell; recorded with Big Joe & the Dynaflows, and performed in venues from New York to Florida. He has also made joint appearances with his older brother, blues guitarist Bobby Radcliff.
Mr. Ewan’s virtuosity on the harmonica stands out among his peers and competitors. He plays complex solos that combine flurries of notes, changes of tonality, and a keen sense of timing. Thoroughly schooled in the history and traditions of the blues in general and the blues harp in particular, he is a master of both diatonic and chromatic harmonica. His vocals, too, are faithful to the subtleties and nuances of authentic-sounding blues.
Mr. Ewan’s repertoire is not limited to a rotation of the most common or clichéd blues. Instead, he reaches deep into the blues heritage for an intriguing blend of obscure as well as familiar blues tunes originated by great blues harmonica players. He especially prides himself on his work on the chromatic harmonica, augmenting the “Chicago style” of Little Walter and George “Harmonica” Smith with jazzy inflections.
Past Performances
July 9, 2008
Washington, D.C. veteran performer Bruce Ewan joins his guitar hero brother Bobby Radcliff. Having been a part of the D.C. blues scene for years, the two musicians bring a true “Blues Brothers” experience to the Grand Foyer.
July 30, 2004
Bruce Ewan, a notable part of the Washington, D.C. blues scene, pairs up with Botafogo, Argentina’s contribution to the world of blues, for a show sure to thrill audiences.
August 9, 2003
Bruce Ewan and the Solid Senders, the internationally known band led by harmonica virtuoso Ewan, perform in the blues tradition.
