Walter Trout Band

One evening in September 1994, Danny Bryant received a phone call that would change his life. That call was from blues legend Walter Trout. Rewind 4 weeks previous and a young Danny, just 14 years old, had experienced his first Trout concert inCambridge, UK. Having discovered Walter's music in his parents’ record collection, Danny coincidentally saw a poster advertising the show in his hometown and begged his parents to take him. From the moment Danny saw Walter’s incredible performance, he knew that music was going to become his life, and Walter, the artist he would forever more aspire to. Fast forward 20 years. Danny is now firmly established as one of the leading lights on the European and British blues scene and has been called a 'National Treasure' by the UK's Classic Rock Blues magazine. After sending a fan letter with his phone number in it to Walter back in 1994, he received that fateful phone call. From that day forward Walter has mentored Danny. Not only did he pass on guitar techniques (regularly giving Danny lessons at his hotel before shows), but Walter also took the time to pass on valuable life lessons and helped to prepare Danny for a life in the music business. This tour is a way for the fans and club owners to come together and help Walter’s band keep working while Walter is awaiting a liver transplant. And the question naturally arose: 'Who will do Walter's music justice, play it from the heart with the same passion and care as Walter himself'? Many top industry names were thrown in the mix, but Marie Trout, Walter’s wife and manager, felt that Danny Bryant was the obvious choice. Marie further points to the all important tradition in the blues of learning from one’s elders. Rather than going to formal school, the blues is best assimilated in a close relationship between the master craftsman and the apprentice. She states: “Walter was himself influenced and mentored by a chance meeting on his 10th birthday. Duke Ellington sat down with Walter for several hours, and taught him about the joys and the pitfalls of life as a musician, and thus planted the seeds that eventually grew to sustain Walter’s lifelong commitment to life on the road. Walter learned more from Mr. Ellington than musical insights: He instinctually absorbed and understood the importance of passing on to the next generation the craft, the passion, and the desire to communicate human emotions in music. Danny Bryant is a prime example of Walter’s desire to keep the blues alive by mentoring younger generations of players. As we are awaiting Walter’s return to the stage, we know that Danny fronting Walter’s powerful band will keep the fires stoked and the passion flowing.” - Marie Trout