Blues News [#587]

A profile of an amazing blues player…

One of the things about blues is its amazing international flavour. Take Ivan Zar. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt and migrated to Perth in 1963. At an early age he taught himself the harmonica and Delta blues style guitar. Five years after getting to WA, he formed his first band, King Biscuit Co. At about the same time, he started writing his own songs. When asked about his local influences once he replied, “Sorry to say none as I got into traditional American roots music.”
After playing in several bands, in 1975 he formed a band called The Elks which introduced him to the mainstream of the Chicago style of blues. This was the first band that took him touring the south west of WA, and Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. What kicked it all off was an invitation extended to Ivan Zar (harmonica) and John Hood (guitar) to get a group of musicians together to perform at a birthday party in Cottesloe, Western Australia.
Since then he has supported B.B. King, Rory Gallagher, Joe Cocker and Ike & Tina Turner either as a solo performer or with one of his many subsequent bands, which is a pretty damn impressive line-up of international artists. Back home, he’s played with The Black Sorrows, Paul Kelly, Bondi Cigars and Cold Chisel. He’s also known for touring throughout outback WA, playing in pubs, Koori communities, schools and many royal shows.
His career spans releases on vinyl, cassettes and CDs, too numerous to mention. His material is even available as a boxed set. The themes in his music include material on Australia, Africa and standards as well. One of his albums, Refer to Drawer, is now a sought-after Australian blues album by blues aficionados. His first CD, Track me Down, received the ‘Outstanding Recording Award’ in 1995 at Blues at Bridgetown.
He was the winner of West Australian Music Industry Best Song in 2000 for ‘Burnin’ Love’. Since then, Ivan has continued to play and promote the blues and has worked with younger upcoming blues musicians. A recent band he fronted was Ivan Zar & the Doo Daddies.
Primarily noted for his raw and passionate rhythmic country blues, thrashing his trademark Dobro, Ivan is equally at home fronting a Chicago combo on harp and vocals.
So here we have a bloke born in Egypt, raised in West Australia, fascinated by and playing that fat Chicago blues, playing alongside international acts, and captivating local audiences. I’d have to say that this sort of career is not unique – give or take an actual birthplace.
The universal appeal of blues music makes it instantly welcome all over the world. A good solid background in the genre is a great investment for a travelling musician – here in Australia or overseas. Some of our players, such as Rob Tognoni, have successfully carved out a career overseas. In Rob’s case, he lives and plays in Europe. Others, like Rory Ellis, seem to have the touring worked out so they have summer down here, then summer in Europe! Dallas Frasca, Sweet Felicia and Fiona Boyes are all regulars at touring overseas.
Anyhow, Ivan will actually be at the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club, Sunday 25th May, appearing with Jarrod Shaw. Come down and check them out.
Written by Dr John Lamp. Presented by The Sleepy Hallow Blues Club