Israel’s king of the blues coming to Canada

Lazer Lloyd is a prolific musician whose new record Freedom’s Child is being released in late September. He is also working on another album to be produced by  Eric Paul, a two-time Grammy nominated producer who worked with Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt and Emmylou Harris. It is due for 2018.

Israel’s “king of the blues” will be performing later this month in Toronto and – of all places –  Sarnia, Ont.

Lloyd(Lloyd Paul Blumen) was born in the U.S. and moved to Israel over 20 years ago. He became a fan of folk music, rock and blues in the ’50s and’ 60s. His father would listen to B. B. King and jazz guitarist Kenny Burrel and there was always a guitar around the house.

In an interview given to Blues Matters he credits a chance meeting with Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach that changed his life. “He loved the way I played blues to his style so much that he invited me to play with him in Israel. I must have done something right because I’ve stayed in Israel ever since…”

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In 2012 Lloyd’s record My Own Blues, was crowned as Israel’s blues record of the year. That record and Lazer’s breathtaking musical abilities caught the attention of producers in Nashville and gardened him fans from all over the world.

The first time I met him was in the old city of Jerusalem. I was interviewing him for my show Muzika (see video above). We walked around until we found a quiet spot and I had one of the magical and intimate concerts I had ever experienced.

No Depression magazine described Lloyd best when they wrote, “Lloyd handles his guitar like it was an extension of his body, and it emits sounds emerging directly from his soul.”

Lloyd is performing Aug. 14 at Hush in Sarnia and  Toronto’s Hugh’s Room on Aug. 15. If you love folk, blues, rock and a genuine amazing night of music, you simply can’t miss Lazer Lloyd.

I recently spoke to him about his upcoming shows in Canada.

What does it mean for you to come and play in Toronto and Sarnia?

It’s special for me to play in Toronto and Sarnia. Early in my career Canada was one of the biggest places to really show huge support for my style. The crowds there have always been some of the most responsive and loyal.

What sort of show should one expect when he comes to see you perform?

Every Lazer Lloyd show is a little different…It always has a heady dose of good Americana rock, blues, folk, country, some humour, hopefully some inspiration and some inspiring guitar playing.

What do you like about the blues?

What I like about the blues is what I like about all good, down home music. It’s all roots music, which is dealing with the realities we are all facing in our lives, head on.

 

Igal Hecht is a Toronto filmmaker. Muzika, which he edited and directed, ran for eight seasons.