Press

Weser Kurier 22/10/2015

Written by Sigrid Schuer

The crème de la crème of the international Boogie Woogie scene came from as far away as Great Britain, Austria, France and the USA to attend the 4th „Pinetop“ Boogie Woogie Awards gala in Bremen, Germany.

In his introdctory speech, Thomas Aufermann described Clayton’s music as „The highest emotional enjoyment“.

The „Big Man“, dressed in a red waistcoat with matching tie was present at the gala to collect his prize as „Best Boogie Woogie Entertainer 2015“.

After accepting his prize, Steve „Big Man“ Clayton played one of his own compositions, „You Know What I Mean“.

He played with his hands of steel at breathtaking speed and sang powerfully with his huge black voice.

A young colleague was overheard praising Clayton’s „Animal bass figure“.

The Boogie Woogie heavyweight sent the audience into a daze.

It was noticeable that for everybody attending the gala, Boogie Woogie was an addiction, and for Clayton it is a way of life, how could it be otherwise?

In his closing speech, Jo Schumacher said; „You wont hear a lot of Boogie Woogie on the radio or see it on television, but this heavenly music should be available on prescription“.

NAGOLD ZEITUNG

"Technically brilliant, rhythmically perfect, stylistically pure and emotionally colourful ..."

JAZZCLUB BIBERACH

"To the risk of damage to hands and feet, Clayton pounded his piano. The packed public were after two and a half hours totally exhausted. With his improvisation and entertaining qualities of a Cab Calloway, he lured his audience and kidnapped them, releasing them to long applause."

ZEITLUPE BUXTEHUDE

"The Brauhaus never had music of this class ... There are no words that can describe how the musicians and audience came so close together." 

OBERSCHWÄBISCHES VOLKSBLATT

"Steve "BIG MAN" Clayton promises "Blues with a feeling and storming Boogie Woogie" before the concert. For the guests he gave more: first class music and entertainment, producing goose bumps on the slow blues and making you sweat on the storming boogie woogie." 

SCHWÄBISCHE ZEITUNG

"When Steve Clayton projects his voice and piano playing from the stage out into the hall, that legendary atmosphere emerges—that authentic musicality that reaches and sweeps everyone along. Even the room itself seems to transform under the spirited rhythms.

His music sweeps everything before it; his playing conquers the space, and his voice resonates deeply and soothingly within the soul.

Steve Clayton is a legend.

His smoky, emotionally charged voice is a true experience. With him, the blues takes on an incredibly powerful dimension, because for Clayton, everything is music."