The Jim Zeller “Circus”
Harmonica player Jim Zeller, often referred to as the “enfant terrible du blues”, launched his CD “Circus” at the Monument National – where he jokingly commented that the theatre and he carried the same classification – “monument national”.
The Ste-Agathe-des-Monts native, began playing the harmonica at the age of 12. In the late 70’s, he went on tour with his first group.
At the launch he is backed up by a 5-piece band that included veteran Jean Millaire and Freddy Freedom on guitars, Marc Deschenes on bass, saxophone player David Bellemare and David Devine behind the drumkit. Guests included Montreal blues diva Angel Forrest, who joined Zeller for a song. Zellers “Circus” was well received by the full house, A seasoned performer of some twenty plus appearances at the Montreal International Jazz Festival and countless other blues festivals, Jim is always able to draw a crowd to his pyrotechnic harmonic playing – just don’t stand too close!!
“Son, I like the way you play that harmonica – you play it like a violin.”
Muddy Waters (to Jim Zeller) – The Gazette dec 14-2004
Known for his wild stage show, his albums reflect his taste for the unusual and unpredictable.
John’s Blues Picks – Toronto Blues Society
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