Fraser Speirs
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Fraser Speirs is a Glasgow-based harmonica player. In a career spanning over thirty years Fraser Speirs name has become synonymous with diatonic harmonica playing of the highest quality (Paul Jones described him as “a great harp player with a gorgeous tone”). Based in Glasgow, Scotland, he has built an enviable reputation for professionalism in the recording studio, in radio and television, and live on stage, appearing over the years with performers as diverse as Alexis Korner, Homesick James, Marion Montgomery, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, John Herald, and contemporary artists such as Carol Laula, Rab Noakes, John Wright, Hans Theesink, Eddi Reader, James Grant and Carol Kidd.
Working at Glasgow's "Maryland" Club in the late nineteen sixties and early seventies, he gained invaluable experience performing with 'Champion' Jack Dupree, 'Big Boy' Arthur Crudup, Muddy Waters and many more. Joined local blues band 'Stumble' with 'Midge' Ure and played occasionally with Hamish Imlach and Matt McGinn at folk clubs around the central belt of Scotland.
Occasional outings leading his own blues band, the Blues Cruisers, are interspersed by duo appearances with Rab Noakes, James Grant (Love & Money), Rod Clements, formerly of Lindisfarne, Eddie Walker or Allan Jones, and band outings with Tam White's Shoestring, Rab Noakes Varaflames, Karen Matheson, James Grant and Carol Kidd.
A sell-out performance of Fraser Speirs and Friends, with many of the above artists in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall during "Celtic Connections" in January 2000 was recorded and the album, “About Time” was released later that year. “Lights Back On” with Rab Noakes followed in 2001 and “Let’s Go To Town” with Allan Jones released in 2003.
Touring with the Carol Kidd band, (China, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, Viet Nam, Hong Kong and Cambodia, Dec 1995 - Dec2002), and (Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Ireland and Turkey, 1995 - 2004), with the Tam White Shoestring band have introduced his playing to new audiences and provided collaborative opportunities with musicians from diverse cultural and musical backgrounds. Teaching at Glasgow's Stow College under the aegis of The Glasgow Fiddle Workshop has built on previous workshop and master-class experience at Celtic Connections, Common Ground Festival, in Scotland and the U.S. and many smaller festivals around the U.K. & Ireland.
Hundreds of album credits and extensive radio, television and film session work reinforced by festival appearances supporting Eric Bibb, Buddy Guy, Van Morrison, James Taylor and Al Green among others and tours with the Blues Cruisers have defined for Scottish audiences his status as an artist of the highest quality.
