"Keith's a much-in-demand, jaw-droppingly good harmonica player who's sessioned on numerous albums and TV soundtracks", folio Bristol & Bath.

"It's always a joy to play with Keith - his music comes straight from the heart - the centre of all great music making", Andy Sheppard

"A pleasant way to share a sherbet.... and my favourite harp player", Michael Chapman 

"On air, he's a big man, sharp-witted and droll, charming, inquisitive, with a deep, rich voice that benefits from a warm, West Country burr. In the flesh, he's all of the above." Venue Magazine

"His well known 'Train Blues' is a fine piece of harmonica playing and is a musical account of the undulating countryside on the journey between Penzance and Camborne", Di Franklin, Royal West of England Academy. 

Biography

Keith Warmington learned to play the harmonica when he was about 15, drawing inspiration from the blues harp played on the Stones' Little Red Rooster and The Beatles' I'm a Loser. Playing the harp round the scout campfire was his initial goal. The rest, as they say, is history. 

Hailing from Cornwall, Keith Warmington found his way to his current home town of Bristol some 30 years ago. He arrived as a musician, at that time playing in a duo by the name of Strange Fruit. Essentially a blues and jug band, Strange Fruit toured the length and breadth of Great Britain and made the occasional foray into mainland Europe. It may have been his purpose in life, but it didn't pay the rent, so Keith embarked on a career as a French teacher, and some years later made the seemingly illogical progression into broadcasting for the BBC. 

In the meantime, Keith maintained his stage presence, playing in pubs, clubs and festivals throughout the West Country. He was the founding member of the Parole Brothers in the early `80s, whose career included supporting and playing on stage with Dr John and cutting one sleazy blues album.

As well as the memorable stage appearance with Dr John, though probably remembered more by Keith than by Dr John in those wilderness days, Keith has performed live with John Martyn, Andy Fairweather-Low, Michael Chapman, Steve Tilston, Dave Evans, Alan Taylor, Mike Silver, Pee Wee Ellis, Al Perkins and Kevin Montgomery. 

Keith was lead singer and harmonica player with Blues Legacy, a blues combo which also included Alamo Leal, Roger Slade (of Flash Harry), Tony Shakin' Hayes (ex-Parole Brothers, and On the Edge), and Keith Coomber.  The performance would start with a semi-acoustic set and build to let rip with a whole gamut of Chicago blues with electric guitar. The demise of Blues Legacy was largely brought about by the departure of Alamo to his homeland, Brazil. However, if he were to return one day and the others be willing and able.....

Widely respected by fellow musicians, Keith himself has been joined on stage by the likes of Andy Sheppard, Kit Morgan, Stuart Gordon, Rick Payne, Steve Payne, Chris Jagger and Alan Burke. 

These days, Keith is actively gigging, usually with Stuart Gordon on violin (who also plays with the Three Caballeros, Smile and Peter Hammill) and Kit Morgan (who has worked with Vanessa Mae and is currently working with Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull) or Rick Payne (of The Blues Cowboys) on electric and acoustic guitars. 

Keith was a co-organiser of the Acoustic Alternative music event with Rick Payne, which used to be a regular season of gigs at Bristol's QEH Theatre (formerly held at the Theatre Royal in Bristol), but the event has since seen its demise. One of the last gigs under this banner was in December 2002 when Keith, Stuart Gordon and Kit Morgan staged a performance at the QEH Theatre.  It was a great success and the line-up returned every December until 2004. Since then, the theatre has been in the process of renovation.

Over the years, Keith has played on three records by Steve Tilston, three by Michael Chapman, two by Dave Evans, the Korgis' first album and two by contemporary popsters, Up Bustle and Out. In June 2004, Keith played harmonica on an album by Al Perkins'. This was an honour as Al is one of the most respected musicians in the business, having played with the likes of Bob Dylan and these days with Kevin Montgomery. 

In the summer of 2001, Keith Warmington released his first CD, Life by the Scenic Route. All tracks bar two are his own material, written and performed over many years. It features one of Britain's foremost tenor and soprano saxophonists, Andy Sheppard, on several tracks. The violinist, Stuart Gordon, appears on most tracks. Other guest musicians include Kit Morgan on electric and Spanish guitars, Rick Payne on slide guitar, and Andy Hay on mandocello. Backing vocals are provided by Keith's sister Tricia and her husband Steve Webb, Stuart Gordon and Andy Hay.

The CD was recorded at Christchurch Studios in Clifton, Bristol, the studios also used by Andy Sheppard, Massive Attack and, more recently in 2003, by Steve Tilston for his latest album 'Such & Such'. The story goes, that after a busy day's thirst-quenching recording, Keith and the crowd went to the local for refreshment, whereupon the guys from Massive Attack enquired of the day's fruitfulness. "Not bad. We laid down four tracks". "Four tracks - in a day - that's more than we've done in the year!" they replied!

Other strings to Keith's bow include playing harmonica in backing music for TV productions, such as Naked Nashville and films made by the BBC Natural History Unit, and doing voice-overs for film and video in his inimitable baritone burr. For fifteen years now, he has presented his own radio show on BBC Radio Bristol, a three hours' daily "Drivetime" slot, which combines reviews of the arts with news and travel. This has had its rewards, as in 2001, Keith was awarded Top Local Broadcaster of the Year by Venue, the what's on and where it's at guide to Bristol and Bath.  The rewards are personal too.  "Because I love music, I've got to interview people like Alabama Three and Ron Sexsmith, which is a bit of a pleasure".

Having spent his entire career performing to an audience, whether in the classroom, on the radio or on stage, Keith is also in demand as host at presentations and performances. 

Keith's at home talking to people, whether on a bar stool to the person next to him or to a packed theatre. As described by Venue Magazine, "On air, he's a big man, sharp-witted and droll, charming, inquisitive, with a deep, rich voice that benefits from a warm, West Country burr. In the flesh, he's all of the above."

Contact us....

....on the email address below if you would like to book Keith Warmington for gigs, backing music and voice-overs for film and television, or harmonica playing at recording sessions.

At Blues and Folk-Roots Festivals and music venues Keith usually plays acoustic guitar and harp with Stuart Gordon, violinist, in a session of acoustic original and traditional blues.  At such events, the pair may be joined by Kit Morgan, guitarist. Keith's other sparring partner for blues gigs is Rick Payne, guitarist.

Site last updated on 18 August 2007

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© 2002 Keith Warmington | web design Lisa Beake | written by Charmaine Hawkins
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