I bring to you a very special episode of the Fearless Singer podcast with the charismatic and beguiling (if I do say so!) Londoner/West Ender – guitarist Harvey Blues.
My singing students and members of the Fearless Singer Jazz Club know him well, as he will co-teach with me from time to time or duck his head in to say, ‘you smashed it, man!’
If you don’t know him, you will LOVE his story, from starting music early, singing for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s kid’s christening as a part of London Boy Singers, to teaching himself how to play blues guitar at 14.
From there, Harvey gave up a steady career in printing to be a full-time gigging musician in London, with the thought, “I’ll be a better guitarist if I’m playing for my rent.”
Playing five shows a week, Harvey had to start from square one again when he arrived in Australia, going to see many shows as possible and connecting with the blues community in between working factory jobs.
After sustaining a hand injury at work, Harvey made the courageous and life-changing decision to make music his full-time gig again here in Australia, going on to co-found one of the country’s most iconic blues bands – Blues Arcadia and now fronting his soul-jazz band – Harvey Blues and the Keitels.
Another pivotal decision saw Harvey go to University for the first time in his early 50s to get his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance at the Jazz Music Institute, which he says has opened up his whole world. He says he’s the perfect example of it’s never too late to study!
So, without further ado, please enjoy learning about Harvey in this episode; his whole life and his decision “to follow the music” epitomise the Fearless Singer motto of embracing fear and carving out the life of your dreams.
You can LISTEN on Spotify | Apple
Harvey LOVES singers! So, you will be pleased to know he will be making guest appearances during the Fearless Singer Jazz Club Online Course. Speaking of which, we start next Wednesday, 3 August 2022, at 8 pm!
The club is to help you build the skills to sing a 45min set of jazz standards (6 Songs) in our six live sessions, where you can access a passionate and supportive community.
Along with learning the practical nuts and bolts of singing in the jazz style and communicating with a band, there will be a significant component in the course around rewiring your beliefs around your voice and performing to kick those performance nerves in the nether region.
Also, if you can’t make the live classes, there will be replays available.
So come and discover the transformative power of jazz with us! It may open up your world too!
You will also access the Fearless Singer Jazz Club Facebook group for added support and bonus live teachings.
As Harvey says, if you have dreams about learning to sing or specifically becoming a jazz singer, start by keeping things simple but most importantly, STICK at it.
Whatever your singing dream is – start now!
And we’re here to help.
Let me know what resonated with you in this episode. Hit reply!
Love
Mel Xx
