Spider is sitting in with the wonderful singer songwriter Danny Britt
Welcome
Welcome to my website.
Please have a look about. Not much up yet but more to follow soon.
On here you will find information on where I am performing and with who.
Soon there will be pictures of me with a full head of hair. OK old pictures. Yes at one time there was more on the top.
I have posted just a few videos on the "videos" tab at the top but before you click there you might fancy a listen to some
music clips. Head to the bottom of this page and you can skip through a few tracks. There are some old recordings there.
Further clips of music and photographs of me playing with new and old pals will appear shortly.
Thanks for all the kind words people & press have said.
I'd also like to shout out a thanks to Andy Smith for the pics. Cheers pal.
Plus thanks to Sutherland Trading for their support and supply of my Hohner Harmonicas. The only brand I play.
I'd love to stay in touch so please scroll down a little bit and join my mailing list.
Hope to see you soon.
Love & hugs
Spider
Xx
Let's stay in touch
What friends & press say
“Colin MacKenzie 'Spider' as we all know & love him, is one of the finest musicians I have ever had the privilege of playing live & recording with Class A on both counts. I can assure you Awesome Bluesman but then there is this other whole side to Spider that makes him stand out, jazz & almost Avant Garde area he can inhabit that is way off the map, both articulate and free spirit combined, but also he takes direction great, so fantastic to work with if you are a songwriter, he also knows when to back off, which is a weakness for many musicians of all levels or genres But more important, Spider is a great man too! Solid as they come and a great friend to have I am proud to call him a brother in music.”
(Martin George Stephenson Ex Capitol & London Records recording artist)
“Colin “Spider” MacKenzie is a wonderful player, he has a fluid, clean and sensitive style that is sure to touch your heart and bring a smile to your face, listen and enjoy!!”
(Sugar Blue - Grammy Award winner who has played with legends from Willie Dixon to The Rolling Stones)
"Spider is simply one of the best harp players there is. He's also one of the best musicians I've ever had the pleasure of working with. When we play songs together, he has an innate ability to remain sensitive to what the songs need. Whether that's creating some luscious soundscape, providing a nice groove or finding the right spaces, he always manages to know what serves the song best. But when it comes to taking a solo, then all I can do is sit back and gaze in wonder at what he can achieve with his instrument! And if this wasn't enough to make a great musical partner, then he's also one of the finest human beings I've ever known!"
(Steve Crawford - singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist, session musician)
“Intensely moving harmonica sound”
“Massively exciting naturally talented harmonica player”
“I would cheerfully walk 100 miles over hot coals to feel some of his music”
(Blueprint - magazine)
“I still prefer the sensitive virtuosity and imagination of Aberdeen’s junior James Cotton, Spider MacKenzie”
(The Sunday Times)
“Harmonica virtuoso”, “Star of bloos moothie”
(The Aberdeen Evening Express)
“I bet you think every town has a blues harp player this good. They don’t and we should cherish him.”
(The Aberdeen Press & Journal)
Shows & tours
Previous events
Spider is back in Austin TX :-)
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Spider will be out joining in the fun at Michael Hearne's 17th Annual Big Barn Dance Music Festival
I’m pleased to announce a repeat blues harmonica showdown! A special event that you don’t want to miss. We are very fortunate to have my pal Greg Izor from Austin Texas, USA visit us. I have taken this opportunity to put together a show featuring Greg and Al Brown. Greg is a top of the tree blues musician with a great style and swagger. Al is arguably the finest blues guitarist in Scotland today, if not in the UK. Greg and Al will be backed by the wonderful inventive drummer Jim Walker and local legend Mike Rae on bass. It’s going to be a night to remember with a number of surprise guests sitting in. Starting the evening I have invited Liz Jones who is a fantastic singer songwriter from Edinburgh. Liz sings with and fronts the Edinburgh group Broken Windows. Following on from last year’s amazing night. I wasn’t going to miss this chance to play again with some of my favourite musicians in the world. So please come on down to The Blue Lamp on Saturday July the 13th at 8.00pm to join in the fun!” Here is some information & quotes on the musicians Greg Izor – http://www.gregizor.com/ “A mash-up of Louisiana grit, Austin soul, and low-down Chicago heat, blues harmonica powerhouse” “That all-too-rare total package- a creative vocalist, harp player, songwriter, and showman.” Living Blues Magazine “All the fat and no filler, just killer stuff!” -Bushdog Blues Blog Al Brown – https://www.reverbnation.com/albrown “Clean toned blues lines sometimes with a hint of jazz” “A breath of fresh air in this world of numerous blues rock guitarists” “Outrageously talented” Blues in Britain Liz Jones – “a voice that can woo you like Norah Jones and rock you like Janis Joplin” Spider MacKenzie – www.spidermackenzie.com “Sensitive virtuosity & imagination” Sunday Times “I would cheerfully walk 100 miles over hot coals to feel some of his music” Blueprint – magazine
Niki King Love & Blues Show for Fraserburgh Junior Arts Society
Fraserburgh Leisure Centre, North Links, Seaforth Street, Fraserburgh, AB43 9BB
Spider is delighted to be performing with with Niki King, Winner of the UK Perrier Jazz Vocal Award, Scottish Style Award and Spirit Of Scotland Music Medal, Niki King has released five albums and performed in leading jazz venues including The Blue Note (New York and Tokyo), London’s Jazz Cafeì and Ronnie Scott’s. Special guest performances include The Average White Band, Al Green and Gregory Porter. Love and Blues honours some of the greatest jazz/blues icons including Etta James, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. King’s powerful, heart felt performances have garnered five-star reviews and she’s been described as ‘the outstanding Scottish female vocalist of our times’ (List). With Niki will be the wonderful musicians Marcus Ford on guitar, Paul Gilbody on bass, Mat Clements on percussion & yours truly Spider MacKenzie on harmonica. Venue phone no is 01346 516663
Spider is delighted to be performing with with Niki King, Winner of the UK Perrier Jazz Vocal Award, Scottish Style Award and Spirit Of Scotland Music Medal, Niki King has released five albums and performed in leading jazz venues including The Blue Note (New York and Tokyo), London’s Jazz Cafeì and Ronnie Scott’s. Special guest performances include The Average White Band, Al Green and Gregory Porter. Love and Blues honours some of the greatest jazz/blues icons including Etta James, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. King’s powerful, heart felt performances have garnered five-star reviews and she’s been described as ‘the outstanding Scottish female vocalist of our times’ (List). With Niki will be the wonderful musicians Marcus Ford on guitar, Paul Gilbody on bass, Mat Clements on percussion & yours truly Spider MacKenzie on harmonica.
Mystery Monday with Michael Hearne, Shake Russell, Bobby Kallus and David Carroll
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I'm delighted to be joining in the fun at the El Mercado. I am performing with the truly wonderful songwriters Michael Hearne & Shake Russell. Along with the regular Monday night incredible rhythm section of Bobby Kallus drums & Dave Carroll bass.
Various concerts in Austin TX & the USA TBC
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Christine Albert, Shake Russell, Michael Hearne, Bobby Kallus & Spider MacKenzie play at El Mercado's Mystery Monday
Spider is the amazing Chris Gage's guest at El Mercado Austin TX. The show is from 7.30pm until 9.30pm.
Albert & Gage with guest Spider MacKenzie @ Donn's Depot, Austin TX on Saturday 15th September
I am delighted to be guesting with the wonderful Christine Albert & incredible Chris Gage "Albert & Gage" at Donn's Depot, Austin TX on Saturday 15th September. The show starts 9pm and tickets will be available on the door.
Spider is playing with friends in the New World Deli, Austin TX from 7.00pm
Spider MacKenzie is in Nashville Tennessee, Shows TBC
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Spider heads to USA to record and play some concerts. venues will be confirmed nearer the time.
Newton Dee Folk Festival with Frank Robb & Friends
FRANK ROBB AND FRIENDS Singer, songwriter Frank Robb is joined by Yvonne Morton (Vocals), Bob Knight (Guitar and Vocals), Alan Walker (Guitar), Sandy Leggat (Fiddle) and Spider MacKenzie(Harmonica) for a programme of acoustic music, featuring folk, blues and original songs
Spider is playing in the Part Edinburgh International Festival Fringe with the award-winning singer Niki King in her show entitled “Love & Blues: Unplugged”
Niki is a UK Perrier Jazz Vocal Award, Scottish Style Award and Spirit Of Scotland Music Medal, Niki King has released five albums and performed in leading jazz venues including The Blue Note (New York and Tokyo), London's Jazz Café and Ronnie Scott’s. Special guest performances include The Average White Band, Al Green and Gregory Porter. Love and Blues honours some of the greatest jazz/blues icons including Etta James, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. King's powerful, heartfelt performances have garnered five-star reviews and she's been described as 'the outstanding Scottish female vocalist of our times' (List).
Private House Concert with Brian Langlinias & Patterson Barrett
“Brian Langlinias, Patterson Barrett & Spider MacKenzie. Swamp Rock Cajun Roadhouse Music from Louisiana accompanied by Buddy Millers side man from Nashville
Belladrum Festival with Brian Langlias & Patterson Barrett
Belladrum Tartan Heart Music Festival on the Potting Shed Stage, By Beauly, Inverness-Shire, IV4 7BA
“Brian Langlinias, Patterson Barrett & Spider MacKienze 2.30 3.15 Swamp Rock Cajun Roadhouse Music from Louisiana accompanied by Buddy Millers side man from Nashville and Scotland leading harp player fae Aberdeen.” https://www.facebook.com/belladrumfestivalpottingshedstage/
Private house concert Alford
Spider is playing with Greg Izor and friends at a private house concert,
It’s going to be something of a blues harmonica showdown! A special event that you don’t want to miss. We are very fortunate to have my pal Greg Izor from Austin Texas, USA visit us. I have taken this opportunity to put together a show featuring Greg and Al Brown. Greg is a top of the tree blues musician with a great style and swagger. Al is certainly one of the finest blues guitarist in UK today. Greg and Al will be backed by the wonderful local rhythm section of Davy Cattanach and Mike Rae.
It’s going to be a night to remember with a number of surprise guests sitting in. Starting the evening I have invited Liz Jones who is a fantastic singer songwriter from Edinburgh. She is bringing along Scottish blues guitar legend John Bruce (x Blues n Trouble) to accompany her. John and Liz are part of the Edinburgh group Broken Windows.
Oh did I say I will be playing also? Well sure, I am. I wasn’t going to miss this chance to play with some of my favourite musicians in the world. Come on down to The Blue Lamp, Friday 29th June at 8.00pm to join in the fun!”
Here is some information & quotes on the musicians
Greg Izor – http://www.gregizor.com/
“A mash-up of Louisiana grit, Austin soul, and low-down Chicago heat, blues harmonica powerhouse”
“That all-too-rare total package- a creative vocalist, harp player, songwriter, and showman.” Living Blues Magazine
“All the fat and no filler, just killer stuff!”
-Bushdog Blues Blog
Al Brown – https://www.reverbnation.com/albrown
“Clean toned blues lines sometimes with a hint of jazz” “A breath of fresh air in this world of numerous blues rock guitarists”
“Outrageously talented” Blues in Britain
Liz Jones – “a voice that can woo you like Norah Jones and rock you like Janis Joplin”
John Bruce - “Scottish blues guitar legend”
Spider MacKenzie – www.spidermackenzie.com
“Sensitive virtuosity & imagination” Sunday Times
“I would cheerfully walk 100 miles over hot coals to feel some of his music” Blueprint – magazine