International Blues Competition (IBC) Solo/Duo Winner From Germany Performs in Sopchoppy August 27, 2011

International Blues Competition (IBC) Solo/Duo Winner From Germany Performs in Sopchoppy
Saturday August 27th 2011

The Blues Foundation presents each year an International Blues Competition (IBC) that is the world’s largest gathering of Blues Bands. The IBC began in 1984 and strives to advance the careers of up and coming blues artists by showcasing their talents and bestowing upon them awards that are recognized industry-wide. Bands and solo/duo acts compete for cash, prizes, and industry recognition. The blues acts represents an international search by The Blues Foundation and its affiliated organizations for the Blues Band and Solo/Duo Blues Act ready to perform on a national stage, but just need that extra break. The preliminary round of competition features acts performing in clubs up and down Beale Street. In addition to performances, there are also seminars and workshops pertaining to the blues.

Some of the blues artists whose careers were launched at the IBC over the years include: Susan Tedeschi, Michelle Wilson, Michael Burks, Tommy Castro, Albert Cummings, Larry Garner, Richard Johnston, Zac Harmon and Matthew Skoller.

This German Blues Duo~~Georg Schroeter and Marc Breitfelder make international music history. The participation of German blues musicians in the world's largest blues competition on American ground itself is extremely unusual – but Georg Schroeter (piano, vocals) and Marc Breitfelder (harp) winning the 27th International Blues Challenge 2011 in Memphis, TN, USA, cannot be overestimated. Fact is that the two musicians from Kiel (Northern Germany) are the first European musicians in the IBC's 27 years' history to run away with this prestigious award from the USA, the home of the blues and by doing so these two musicians will go down in Europe's music history.

The duo took its first try to win the IBC in January 2010. By gaining the German and Baltic Blues Challenges 2009 in Eutin, Germany, they met the requirements to get nominated for the IBC 2010 by the Baltic Blues Society Eutin. Last year blues lovers in Memphis already paid attention as Georg Schroeter and Marc Breitfelder came in second place at the IBC's semi finals. By winning the German Blues Award 2010 – also sponsored by the Baltic Blues Society Eutin, Germany – they were entitled to participate in this year's IBC again.

Well experienced and self-assured from last year's competition Georg Schroeter and Marc Breitfelder went straight through two quarter finals and the semi-final in the clubs on Memphis' legendary Beale Street to the final competition at the Orpheum Theatre. Geor Schroeter and Marc Breitfelder performerd to an audience of approximately 2000 people showed their excellent skills and delivered a brilliant set during their 20 minutes' performance. Carried and pushed by the overwhelmed and often spontaneously applauding audience Georg and Marc brought their show to a thundering climax which swept the audience off their feet.

They have performed at more than 2000 gigs all over the world producing 14 CDs, and have received 2 Silver Medals (World Harmonica Championship’93), and Winner of the European Harmonica Festival ’96, Winner of the “German Blues Challenge 2009”, Winner of the “Baltic Blues Challenge 2009” and now the 2011 IBC …As long as we have musicians like this we don't have to worry about the future of Blues and Boogie in Germany" said M.Tiefensee of Blues News 2001.

The foundation of the mostly improvised music of Georg Schroeter and Marc Breitfelder is the Blues, complemented by many related kinds of music: Rock 'n' Roll, Rhythm 'n' Blues, Boogie Woogie or Country – orchestrated with masterly piano play, an outstanding harmonica and a unique Blues voice.

Georg piano, vocals) is a Pianist who can express himself in such a great variety of ways and with such skill that the audience is swept away by his intensive and sovereign style .Marcs Harp performance is unbelievable. With his special overblow technique he has redefined the chromatic scale and discovered new dimensions. His fingers seem to slide over the keyboard of the piano by themselves while he manages to fascinate you with a unique Blues voice. Powerful, gentle, ecstatic or just plain beautiful – vocals and piano are a perfect match putting a spell on any audience

Marc (harp) Marc Breitfelder has mastered the “Mississippi saxophone” to perfection. Using his own overblow Technique, he is able to reach spheres on a harp that fascinate audiences and musicians all over the world. An ingenious match with Georg, he plays one-of-a-kind notes and sounds – however, always very true to the tradition of “classical” harp play! Marc has selected harps by Hohner customized by Joe Filisko.

Musical collaborators: Apart from playing with various formations, Georg and Marc also back up other European or American Blues artist as a duo: German Blues legend Abi Wallenstein (Hamburg), Albie “Mr Supercharge” Donnelly (Liverpool, England) or Tom Shaka (USA).

This year’s (2011) winner for the Solo/Duo--Georg Schroeter & Marc Breitfelder set out on a USA Tour as a four piece band and have requested to perform at Sopchoppy’s very own eclectic Music & Art Forum~~The Frog and The Hummingbird Co & Butterfield’s Roadhouse at 118 Municipal Ave and Corner of Rose St in downtown Sopchoppy on Saturday August 27th 2011 from 7:30 to 10 PM.

Event will include Free Door Prize Drawings and Store discounts. Beverages, Light fare and Dangerously delicious desserts will also be available at a nominal cost.

This is a performance not to be missed and definitely a piece of music making history. Reservations are strongly suggested.
For information: Contact Salli Squitieri 305-304-2226 or frogandhummingbirdco@yahoo.com

http://www.tallahasseegrapevine.com/event/view/id_3883/

Official Website: http://www.facebook.com/squitieri.butterfield?sk=info