Friday 25 April 2008
Eddie, adept in jazz, blues, funk, contemporary, fusion and New Orleans rhythm, is the last of an era of New Orleans piano players who exemplify the “junker style”.
Edwin Joseph Bocage, known to music lovers around the world as ‘Eddie Bo’, was born in New Orleans, raised in Algiers and the 9th Ward. It was here that Eddie Bo developed a unique style of piano playing. Ultimately the combination of styles that became Eddie Bo’s trademark were a delightful fusion of New Orleans rhythm and blues, jazz and funk.
In a career that spans well over forty-five years, Eddie Bo has made more 45’s than any artist has in New Orleans other than Fats Domino. He has produced records for Irma Thomas, Robert Parker, Art Neville, Chris Kenner, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson and Johnny Adams. He is a prolific songwriter of such wonderful songs as “Check Mr. Popeye,” “It Must Be Love,” “I’m Wise” (made famous by Little Richard under the name “Slippin’ and Slidin’”) and the hit recorded by Etta James “My Dearest Darling.” Eddie penned Tommy Ridgley’s “In the Same Old Way” and further demonstrates genius in the realm of contemporary New Orleans funk on such creative works as “Hook and Sling” and “Pass the Hatchet.”