Delta Flashback! are a duo playing traditional blues songs from the 1920's and 1930's.....
One of the most popular and influential duos in the history of Afro/American music was pianist Leroy Carr and Guitarist Francis "Scrapper" Blackwell.
Their recordings featuring melancholic vocals coupled with infectious swinging rhythms, brought the blues firmly out of the country and into the city whilst influencing virtually every piano-guitar partnership that would follow them.
As well as the songs from this famous duo, and other male and female black blues artists of this era, Delta Flashback also perform several songs written by Brian himself.
Delta Flashback were:
- Brian Cookman - guitar, Kazoo, harminoca and vocals (1946 - 2005)
- Lee Wilson, Leo Cookman - keys
When BandBase began life in 2002, Delta Flashback was the first band to appear in our listings.
The duo played a great blend of blues tunes from the 1920s and 1930s, and some of Brian's own songs, White Trash being my favourite.
I had known Brian Cookman for a number of years, and had regularly gigged with his eldest son, Miles, in Rubber Biscuit. Brian had been the warm-up act for all our big theatre gigs, so I was already a big fan.
Brian asked me one day if I would teach his other son, Leo, to play the piano. I had been teaching him for a few months when it occurred to me that Brian wasn't gigging much, so I asked if he would like to form a duo. I think Brian was a bit skeptic, but he agreed to do a few practices.
Well, after the first one I was convinced, so I decided to book a gig at the Canterbury Tales, Canterbury. I knew the landlord quite well and he was more than happy for us to come and play.
That gig led to many others, and for me personally, I think it's the musical venture I am the most proud of.
Leo practiced very hard, and eventually took over from me on piano.
Brian was diagnosed with cancer, and died on 18th February 2005. We miss him very much.
There are many tributes to Brian on the Internet, and this is mine, which is why this page will always be here.
Thanks Brian,
Lee.