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BHB has evolved through several incarnations the past few years, all of which have steadily led to the progressive and innovative sound the band now puts out. A cool blend of harmony vocals, acoustic and electric instrumentation, strong and varied songwriting from the core of the band, and it's easy to see why people are excited about this band. "Wow. What a great concert last night at the El Rio...", from Reney at Code Pink, following a benefit BHB played a part in. View photos of the night. "...it's damn fine stuff..." says Jeff Abbas, program director at KPVL radio. BHB is made up of a solid crew of veteran players, all of whom found one another through the network of jam sessions and such in the San Francisco music scene. Brought together by Bay Area native, guitarist, singer and songwriter Bryan Harrison, BHB truly exemplifies the axiom "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts". Established as a diverse songwriter, drawing from his own life experience as well as from
issues of the day, Bryan shapes his poignant material with
musical colors that draw his fans in. An adept guitar
player, he more often than not chooses song structure and
chord progressions that go beyond the typical
"singer/songwriter". His warm vocals add a richness that
brings it all home. Bryan began playing several years back with percussionist Dave Coan, affectionately known as Dave "djembe" Coan for the drum that he brings so much diverse life to. Playing coffee house gigs and opening shows at night clubs, Bryan and Dave travelled locally and as far as Southern California doing their duo act. Growing from there, guitarist, harmonica player, singer and emerging songwriter Jim McLaren became a dependable and regular fixture with the group. Self-proclaimed as playing "one step up from the curb", Jim established himself as a beloved street musician in the heart of North Beach, in San Francisco, where people still come looking for his brand of Dylan-esque harmonica and diversity in songs. Bryan and Jim quickly found an ability to vocalize pretty sweetly together. Elisa M. Welch joined the band in the Summer of 2007, quickly adding her numerous and immense talents as a musician, singer and songwriter, giving BHB a more well-rounded dimension to the music. Together with Jim and Bryan, the three part harmonies they produce range from a CSN kind of sound to what drummer friend, AJ, has taken to calling a modern day "Peter, Paul and Mary" (Jim was able to discern that he's "Peter" in AJ's eyes, so that must make Bryan "Paul"). Elisa has diverse talents as a musician, playing octave mandolin, keyboards, mandolin, and even the penny whistle, all in addition to her strong and versatile vocals, she is also a very happenin' and creative songwriter. Her talents have already melded well into the band. Described several years back as "quality alternative Folk Blues
Rock" by Broadway Studio's Artists' Showcase producer Tim
Reynolds , BHB has grown to fully represent a 21st Century Alt Folk Rock sound.
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