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Wendy DEWITT (USA)

A driving piano player and singer, Wendy is an active representative of the west coast approach to Spann influenced deep blues and boogie. Pianist, vocalist and songwriter Wendy DeWitt, praised by Robben Ford for her "straight from the heart" performing and vocal style, is a busy member of the San Francisco blues community performing solo, with Steve Freund, and with her own group. DeWitt began playing blues with a group of former Chicagoans when she came to the Bay Area in 1984. Through this she met and continues to perform with Apple Jack (Elvin Bishop, Boz Scaggs), eventually forming a duo with him. Leading her own four piece band for 15 years, Wendy also remains dedicated to her work with the Steve Freund Band. With the occasional performance backing the great Hank Ballard, who calls Wendy "my favorite piano player", Wendy keeps one foot in rock and roll while laying on the boogie woogie and blues. Wendy has three well-received albums of her own, can be heard on numerous compilations, and is a guest on albums by Steve Freund, and many other Bay Area blues artists. Currently in the works is a traditional style boogie/blues release featuring songs by her favorite influences as well as her own writing. Produced by Steve Fruend, look for new Wendy DeWitt on the shelves by summer. This past year Wendy returned to St. Croix, U.S.V.I. to appear with Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers, was featured at Freight and Salvage, Berkeley's historic venue, appeared at the Cincinnati Blues Fest's famed Arches Piano Stage, headed to Boston with Hank Ballard and the Midnighters for a performance at Boston Symphony Hall, and played before a sold out audience at San Diego Museum of Art. She's just returned from a SRO concert in Paris and another two weeks in St. Croix in the Virgin Islands including a concert opening solo for Deborah Coleman. Recent shows include the Freight for the second annual production of "Queens of Boogie Woogie" produced by Wendy and also featuring Mark Braun, and Sue Palmer (Candye Kane), and several return engagements in France. New Orleans by the Bay and other festivals have Wendy busy through the summer along with crisscrossing the country with Hank Ballard. Trailblazing on the internet, Wendy is also found providing the boogie woogie for an animated piano playing character. Check out Wendy's web site for boogie and blues piano lessons, I.B. Whalen line of jewelry, photos, calendar and more.

website : www.wendydewitt.com