Garth Hudson

Eric Garth Hudson (born August 2, 1937) is a Canadian musician born in Windsor, Ontario and raised in London, Ontario. He is best known as the organist/keyboardist for the Canadian-American roots rock group The Band.

Related Topics:
August 2 - 1937 - Canadian - Windsor, Ontario - London, Ontario - Organ - American - Roots rock - The Band

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A prodigiously talented multi-instrumentalist and virtuoso keyboard player, Hudson provided the lush yet innovative accompaniment. For example, the song "Up On Cripple Creek" features Hudson playing a clavinet through a wah-wah pedal to create a swampy sound reminiscent of a jaw harp or the croak of a frog (this clavinet/wah pedal configuration was later adapted by many funk musicians.)

Related Topics:
Up On Cripple Creek - Clavinet - Wah-wah pedal - Jaw harp - Frog - Funk

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A master of the Lowrey organ, Hudson's orchestral tone sense and dramatic, pitch-bending improvisational style anticipated many of the sonic advances of the polyphonic synthesizer. His other primary instruments are piano, accordion and saxophone.

Related Topics:
Lowrey - Polyphonic synthesizer

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Garth Hudson is a much-in-demand session musician and has contributed to dozens of recordings by other musicians, recently including Leonard Cohen, the Dixie Hummingbirds, the Gipsy Kings, Norah Jones, Los Lobos and Wilco.

Related Topics:
Leonard Cohen - Dixie Hummingbirds - Gipsy Kings - Norah Jones - Los Lobos - Wilco

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Hudson released an innovative solo CD in 2001. Featuring vocals by wife Maud Hudson, The Sea To The North (with musicians like levon helm,purna das baul,babukishan,manju das and many more) melded elements of jazz, blues, country, folk, rock and ethnic styles. In 2005, Garth and Maud Hudson released LIVE at the WOLF, a piano and vocal CD recorded live at the Wolf Performance Hall in London, Ontario, Garth's hometown.

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