The Buskers 74

Although recently formed the Buskers come with nearly 75 yrs experience. They are four accomplished musicians and friends who have come together to do what they love best. Play music! The Buskers play the bar and restaurant circuit in the Portes de Soliel region of the French Alps. A ski resort in winter and a mountain bike haven during the summer months. Apart from playing during apres ski for holidaymakers they have a large local following, and are becoming very well known in the area and surrounding valleys. The Buskers play a mix of soft rock comprising of well known covers and a rapidly expanding array of original music.

It all started with Alex R, a successful solo artist in his own right, wanting to expand his horizons. Alex set up an Open Mike session in Morzine, and invited anyone interested to come along and try their hand at any form of show-business. An Alpine version of Britains got Talent! A chance meeting with a saxophonist, Tim Absolon, a sound engineer recently moved to Morzine, and the duo was formed. Tim's sax riffs fitted well with Alex's soft rock guitar and the bookings started to pour in.

Already established in the area as an event manager, instrument technician and running a business renting out equipment to local musicians was Richie Lea. A bass guitarist since the late sixties, he was an obvious contender ton join the new band. Ritchie also runs Studio La Bas where the Buskers record. Studio La Bas is available to local artists for recording. Click here for rates.

All that remained was the percussion section for the band. Most of the venue's are to small for full drum kits, but Alex had found an alternative. On a visit to watch another band he had seen someone playing a Cajon and liked the sound. So after advertising for a Cajon player, along came Bongo Peat who fitted in perfectly.

Collaborating with lyricist and writer Paul Rane the buskers are currently recording an EP called "At Altitude" of original material and an album of some of their favourite covers. Five original songs are already out there.