Diz & The Doormen

New Orleans Rhythm ‘n Blues, Rock ‘n Roll, Boogie Woogie   Diz Watson, vocals/piano Dick Madelin, guitar Charles Hart, bass guitar Nicholas Pentelow, sax Nicholas Payne, sax Tony Uter, congas Peter Miles, drums   I suoni non sono propriamente quelli del Blues di Chicago, perché oggi la musica di Diz Watson ha  maggior debiti con i suoi primi ispiratori: i pianisti di New Orleans, Professor Longhair e Champion Jack Dupree.  Infatti, pur essendo nato in Sud Africa  e cresciuto in Inghilterra (dove conobbe Jack Cupree), Diz è giustamente considerato uno dei maggior esponenti del Rhythm ‘n Blues di New Orleans contemporaneo.  Ospite a Lugano quasi vent'anni fa, torna con il suo compagno di allora, Tony Uter, percussionista giamaicano che ha effettuato delle tournée perfino con Bob Marley, alla testa di una formazione che ha ideato l’album ormai leggendario, “Bluecoat Man” (ripubblicato recentemente in CD).  Tutti quelli che apprezzano l’atmosfera festosa e carnevalesca della musica di New Orleans, arricchita dai ritmi dai Caraibi e che cercano qualcosa di reale e passionale, non devono mancare i concerti di questi grandi interpreti.     Diz & The Doormen are emotionally and geographically far removed from the sounds of Chicago.  In fact, their leader’s music is closer than ever to that of the players who originally inspired him:  Champion Jack Dupree and Professor Longhair.  Though he was born in South Africa and raised in the north of England (where he became a close friend and student of Champion Jack then living in the area), today Diz Watson is justly considered one of the leading exponents of Rhythm ‘n Blues New Orleans style.  Diz was a guest here in Lugano before the Festival was called Blues to Bop and returns to play in duo in Morcote with his then partner, the legendary Jamaican congas player Tony Uter, who played with Bob Marley and many others.  The Doormen who appear on stage  in Lugano are those who created the legendary album, “Bluecoat Man” recently republished in CD format.  All those who appreciate the festive, carnival atmosphere that the Caribbean flavoured music of New Orleans creates should not miss this genial interpreter and his rocking crew.