About Dieter Kropp

The love of the blues brought Dieter Kropp, who was born in 1961 in Barntrup/Lippe (Germany) and moved to the neighboring village of Bega when he was eight, to the hamonica at the beginning of the 1980s.

Since then, he has stood out because of his deep and honest connection with the blues. Inspired and influenced by great masters of the blues harp like Walter Horton, Charlie Musselwhite ans Sonny Boy Williamson, Kropp's own style of playing has been shaped in recent years by hundreds of live concerts. His work with the pianist Axel von Hagen, with whom he recorded the highly regarded LP One Blues One in 1990, was particulary important for the development of his individual style.

A professional musician since 1986, today Kropp is already seen as "problably one of the best German blues harp players" (Hessisch/Niedersächsische Allgemeine). Dieter Kropp's blues are deeply rooted in tradition while still remaining open to new influences.

As a harmonica-player and singer, he has matured into an impressive personality. In addition, he is now regarded as a competent songwriter who knows how blend into the blues continuum in a respectful and independent way. The stories told in Kropp's compositions are little everyday experiences with charm and character.

As a protagonist in the cause of the blues, he has not only used his extensive expertise in the position of moderator and host of a monthly blues radio show for RADIO BREMEN since January 1991, but also imparts his instrumental abilities in numerous Blues Harp Workshops. His instruction manuals Blues Harping, written with Steve Baker and published by Schott Musik International, have now become standard works.