For over 25 years, Kai Strauss has been a welcome guest in the "House of Blues," as he aptly sings in a title of his new album. Strauss grew up musically in Germany's blues stronghold Osnabrück and belongs to the small circle of European blues musicians to whom even American colleagues and critics attest an authentic style. "Even as a teenager, I was infected by the music of Buddy Guy, Albert King or the Vaughan Brothers," says the guitarist and singer, who, according to the trade magazine Bluesnews, is now considered one of the big names in the European scene.
At the age of 50, Strauss has now released his sixth album, aptly titled "In My Prime." The multiple German Blues Awards winner is a mature musician with his own signature, grown out of respect for his idols. He knows them, the pioneers: Guitar Slim, all the Kings, Otis Rush and Magic Sam. You can't pin him down to any of them, and yet they remain alive through him. Today, after countless concerts in over 20 countries, he himself is mentioned in the same breath as contemporary US blues guitar heavyweights.
On "In My Prime," a first-rate band under him ignites a fire of funky '70s blues influences, and Strauss' powerful vocals and stylish, expressive guitar playing run through original songs about love (to music - "Guest In The House Of The Blues"), current issues ("World Crisis Blues") or illuminate the darker side of life as in "Put That Bottle Down."
Perhaps, as he says, he is in his prime with this album. For sure, however, "In My Prime" is not just a continuation of his releases to date, but reveals a musical and personal development that will keep Strauss exciting and significant as a blues musician in the future.
Instrumentation:
Kai Strauss: vocals, guitar
Alex Lex: drums
Kevin DuVernay (USA): bass guitar
Paul Jobson (GB): Keyboards
Tommy Schneller: saxophone
Jens Buschenlange: trumpet
15 €, concessions 8 € per person; advance booking at the Palmengarten box office; reservations are not possible.
Access via the entrance at Palmengartenstraße 11. Admission one hour before the concert begins. The events will take place outdoors in all weather conditions (music pavilion). There is no entitlement to a seat.
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