It's long been said, and with some justification, that white musicians can't really play the blues - they just don't have the right birthright credentials. But as we all know some DO get pretty close. JULIAN PIPER is certainly one of those.

The only British guitarist to have played on two albums that have received the prestigious W.C. HANDY AWARD in Memphis, by touring and playing alongside the likes of LAZY LESTER, CAREY AND LURRIE BELL, LEFTY DIZZ, EDDIE KIRKLAND, TABBY THOMAS, CHRIS THOMAS KING, KENNY RAY NEAL, EARL KING, LOUSIANA RED, U.P. WILSON, EDDIE C CAMPBELL Julian had just about the best blues education available.

To complete an apprenticeship, which has seen him appear on stages alongside BUDDY GUY, ROBERT CRAY, B.B. KING and LOWELL FULSON, in 1987 Julian spent a year in Baton Rouge - a place he now regards as a second home. Working sometimes night after long humid Louisiana night, on the bandstands of the small black juke joints, including the Blues Box around town. Click here or on the flier graphic for Julian's "gallery" or if you read Francais here for more information). Thanks to the encouragement of his now long term friend 'Rockin' TABBY THOMAS 'King Of The Louisana Swamp Blues', Julian was quickly accepted by the local blues community. He played regularly alongside Excello legends like ARTHUR 'GUITAR' KELLY, SILAS HOGAN, CLARENCE EDWARDS and LAZY LESTER, or with the new kids on the block like KENNY RAY NEAL, LARRY GARNER or CHRIS THOMAS KING. On nights off he could be seen playing down in 'Noo Orluns' with local harmonica legend J. MONQUE'D.

Whilst in Louisiana, Julian collected material which was subsequently broadcast on his successful BBC RADIO THREE series 'Blues On The Bayou'. He also recorded what sadly turned out to be the last album ('THE GODFATHER') made by 76 year old SILAS HOGAN. He also co-produced and played on TABBY THOMAS 's 1988 release 'KING OF THE SWAMP BLUES'.

Julian's band JUNKYARD ANGELS was formed in 1975 and still performs regularly. Over the years they have appeared at just about every European Blues Festival on the map, and in 1998, along with harmonica player JEFF FULLER, Julian appeared at the Baton Rouge Blues Festival.

Julian organises BLUES SOUTH WEST (BSW) which functions as a non profit making organisation to promote blues music in the Exeter area. BSW always welcomes approaches from interested artists.

Julian currently writes for 'Guitarist',  'Guitar'  and 'Acoustic' magazines as blues correspondent on a regular basis, his slide guitar playing appearing on 'Guitarist' tutorial CD's, and his writing has also been published recently in MOJO and the national daily newspaper THE GUARDIAN.

In November 2008 he played at MORGAN FREEMAN'S  GROUND ZERO in Clarksdale Mississippi and played 'live' on air on the legendary KING BISCUIT RADIO SHOW.

2009 also saw him appear onstage at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival alongside his old buddie TABBY THOMAS and CHRIS THOMAS KING infront of 3,000 people.

Click here to listen to some of Julian's music (including the tutorials)

Click here to read some of Julian's articles