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ABOUT

 He is considered to be one of the best harmonica players in the Midwest. He plays
  with a soulful, bluesy style that was borne out of a lifetime of hardship and
  challenges.

  During his youth, stars like Joan Baez and Jose Feliciano visit his grandfather's house
  while he was living there. Those experiences influenced him a lot.
 
  While in middle school and high school, Dale played the trumpet and was a member
  of the concert band for six years. That provided his musical foundation.

  At age 17 he was kicked out of high school and his family home. With no survival
  options, he took up the harmonica and began playing for tips on the streets of the
  University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor just to get by. He got good quickly.

In the years that followed, Dale played local night clubs to get off the streets and to master his craft. He would soon cross paths with the likes of James Cotton and Junior Wells and was able to sit in with them.

In 1976, Dale had his First Transformation. He did an about-face and enlisted for 3 years in the Navy. While overseas he continued to play his harmonica at any club that would book him.

Upon his return to the States, he trekked across the country playing gigs and then headed off to Europe for a 1-year stint playing in a group.

In 1982 Dale returned to Ann Arbor and a life back on the streets after struggles with drugs and alcohol. Two years later he had his Second Transformation. He enrolled in college and earned degrees in Robotics and Computer Tech, then landed a job with General Electric.

IN 1993 he left the corporate world and decided to commit to his passion for music and become a full-time musician. Since then he has performed at some of the legendary Blues and Jazz clubs around Detroit like Bert's Place, The Detroit Blues Cafe, The Blue Goose, and Harbor House as well as at major events like Arts, Beats & Eats, The Taylor Blues Festival and The New Year's eve D-Drop.

During the course of his career, Dale has played with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Taj Mahal, Luther Allison, and The Butler Twins.

The Harmonica is Dale’s first love because it was his first instrument and it carried him through his difficult life journey. But he is also experienced on the trumpet, guitar and keyboards.

“Playing the harmonica is the highest form of inspiration for me. With it I can tap into audience emotion. I can make people laugh, cry or celebrate. Most of all, I can express things with my harmonica that I can’t do with my own voice. It’s special.”

So is Dale Robertson.