Canadian singer/songwriter Michael Pickett, known for his electrifying skills on harmonica and guitar, will breathe life into the blues tonight at Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse.
Pickett established himself in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s leading seminal bands Whiskey Howl, Wooden Teeth and the Michael Pickett Band, which pushed the envelope for blues and funky roots music.
He released his debut CD, “Blues Money,” in 1993. The all-original recording was nominated for a Juno Award, Canada’s version of the Grammys, and received the Jazz Report and Real Blues awards for Blues Album of the Year. He also earned Maples Blues’ coveted Blues With a Feeling Award in recognition of his lifetime commitment to the genre.
2000 saw the release of his second CD, “Conversation With the Blues,” which also was nominated for a Juno Award and won the Canadian Indie Music Award for Blues Album of the Year.
On both albums, Pickett laid down an acoustic resophonic guitar track, though it had been 20 years since he’d played at length. In 2001, he immersed himself in the guitar to reveal those dormant talents and became a force on the six-string and 12-string.