Harprise & his Blues Crew

Michel Chanmongkhon has Cambodian roots and he was strongly influenced by his older brother, Bonny B., who is a well known Blues singer and Blues harmonica player. It was like a flash when he heard for the first time an album of Buddy Guy from the sixties. He was affected by playing the guitar and practiced day and night. Three months later his brother noticed his big proceedings and engaged him as companian through the bars. His music style reminded a lot of people of Albert Collin's "Ice Man" and that's why he became four years later IceB. For twelve years IceB was on stage in innumerable Blues Clubs through Switzerland. He was also successful on bi stages in France and Macedonia and he played among others with Sugar Blue, Vic Pitts, Little JC, Amar Sundy and Bonny B.

Dominik Schaffer

Bass

At the age of thirteen he discovered the Blues on BBC (listening to the radio under the pillow without the parents' permission). Since then his heart beats for the Blues, the Soul and the Funk. Johnny B. Gayden (Albert Collins) is his big ideal of a Blues guitarist. He had the opportunity to gain experience in divers bands and different music styles. Among others he played or is playing in the bands of Frank Barth & the blue step walkers (F) – Dieter „Harprise“ Gröflin (CH) - Bonny B. (KH) - Mark Middler (CAN) - Eliot Chambers (USA) - Andy Egert (CH). Since 1995 he earns his living solely with music and so he has performed on countless stages in bars, clubs and open airs at home and abroad. Beside that he played the bass guitar part on several CD recordings. His aim is to touch and to delight the audience's soul with passion and groovy sound.

"...The Blues will never die."

Sascha Frischknecht

Drums

A young and talented junior drummer who represents the new generation in the band. With his only nineteen years he convinces the audience that he has got what it takes to be "New Blues Blood". His preference for Blues is obvious since he was a child. With his peculiar groove he baffles and casts a "rhythm spell" over the audience. He joined in among others Jeff Siegrist's Hang Blues Band in 2007 and was on stage with big names like Sulaiman Hakim.

...Keep on going Blues Junior!

I just say: "Give the drummer some!"

Our guest musicians

Rene "Hammond" Weber

Hammond B3 Bauj.1958

E - Piano Yamaha P80

Nord Lead / Vocals

In his big family there was always music and at the age of six he's got the piano bug. Already with ten he founded his first band and mad so his first concert experiences. Later he played for 15 years with The Chicago Dave Blues Band and he was always in demand as guest musician in different bands. He was playing in uncountable concerts home and abroad and participated in numerous Sessions with Polo Hofer, Florian Schneider (Phantom Of The Opera) and diverse American musicians such as LutherAllison and Sulaiman Hakim. He is a founder member of TRUE BLUES which whom he toured for seven years. In 2003 he founded his Hammer Band and since then he is writing his own dialect songs. In 2007 "s' Baselbiet", the band's first CD, was recorded. You can see the band live on tour and René as guest musician with Harprise & Blues Crew.

Sulaiman Hakim

(Paris / Los Angeles)

Saxophone

Composer, arranger and multiinstrumenalist. His broadly based talent and his ability are estimated and respected by a huge number of stars all over the world. Many years he accompanied his friend and Blues legend Luther Allison in over 700 concerts all around the world. His passion for the rhythm of the world, especially for the African ones, has done its bit to his subtle dynamic and melodic playing.

Some wellknown stars Sulaiman Hakim has played with are: Luther Allison, Bernard Allison, Alpha Blondy, Salif Keita, Percy Sledge, Roy Haynes, Memphis Slim, Lou Bennet und Ed Blackwell.