Biography

50 Years Keeping The Blues Alive !

Raised in Chicago in the 1960s, Dik Banovich was influenced early on by blues, swing and other styles of American guitar music.
He draws inspiration from the best of traditional and contemporary fingerstyle guitar styles and is a powerful picker.

For 50 years, Dik Banovich has been playing his blend of acoustic roots & blues at concerts and festivals in Scotland, England,
in Europe, Norway, Denmark and recently Finland, the United States and even West Africa.
A style built around traditional acoustic blues drawn from the deepest roots of the Delta but also swing, ragtime,
Americana and folk blues.

Singer and fingerpicking guitar virtuoso, Dik has performed on some of the most beautiful stages in Europe, opening for
Peter Green, Paul Jones Blues Band, James Brown, Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes and more recently Ana Popović at the 2023 edition of
The Jerry Rick's Blues Festival in Croatia, and shared the stage with Mississippi Bluesman Vasti Jackson during the 2023 edition of
Corbera Blues Festival in Spain.

___________________________

A Bluesman's Journey....

Archnetys News - Published: April 11, 2025 - full article - here

Dik Banovich, a seasoned blues musician, recently shared insights into his life and musical evolution.

Born in Scotland in 1953 to an Irish mother and Jugoslav father, Banovich's formative years were spent in the vibrant cultural melting pot of Chicago.
upbringing, steeped in diverse musical traditions, profoundly shaped his artistic trajectory.

Inspired by the blues, swing, and American guitar styles, Banovich embarked on his musical journey in the late 1960s.
His early performances centered around traditional acoustic blues, transporting audiences to the heart of the American South, and the banks of the Mississippi.

However, his artistic spirit yearned for expansion, leading him to experiment with blending roots music and various styles.
Finding a Unique Voice Through Musical Fusion For five decades, Banovich has cultivated a distinctive sound, a fusion of roots and blues acoustics
showcased in concerts and festivals worldwide. This dedication to musical exploration has allowed him to forge a unique identity within the blues landscape.

"I needed to expand my musical space, to adapt roots, to mix styles. For 50 years, I have been playing this mixture of acoustic roots and blues through
concerts and festivals around the world. I think I have found my own style. I vibrate every time I play because in fact what I play, it's going to life." - Dik Banovich

The blues genre, while rooted in tradition, continues to evolve. Artists like Banovich demonstrate this evolution by
incorporating diverse influences and pushing creative boundaries.

According to a 2024 report by the Blues Foundation, the incorporation of world music elements into blues is a growing trend,
attracting a wider audience and revitalizing the genre.

Embracing Brittany - A New Chapter

Banovich's connection with Brittany dates back to the 1980s when he performed at festivals with the group Busy Fingers, sharing the stage with renowned
artists like James Brown and John Martyn. The warmth and authenticity of the breton people, coupled with the region's natural beauty, left a lasting impression..

********************************

___________________________

Dik has played literally hundreds of blues festivals and clubs.

This Bluesman has played clubs, folk clubs, art centers, bars and concerts in every venue imaginable (and unimaginable!)
on the road, here, there and everywhere. In Dik's 50 years of playing, he has made numerous television and radio appearances and recorded more than
11 albums since his first Indy Blues album, Dik Banovich - Folk Jazz Blues in 1983..

___________________________

Interview by Michael Limnios for Blues.GR

Q&A with exceptional acoustic guitarist Dik Banovich - Folk Blues drawn from the deepest Roots of the Delta - mai 2021

"What touched you from fingerpickin' style? Why do you think that the acoustic Blues continues to generate such a devoted following? ?"

"Listening to Big Bill Broonzy and Brownie McGhee turned me on to fingerpicking, then there were the great English guitarists like ,Wizz Jones,
John Renbourne, Davy Graham, Ralph MctellI began to realise that there was so much available in fingerpicking guitar styles, from blues, to classical,
flamenco, even the medieval lute playing of John Williams and the like.

I felt I could learn something from all of these guitar styles, for instance the flamenco
repertoire and use the technique in blues. I think acoustic blues will always appeal to people because it touches something inside them that they can relate to....
and this happens internationally regardless of language and culture

The blues is everywhere, which is why I also think that it's important for people to
appreciate and support music from their own culture as well. There's Blues in every culture."

Read the Full Interview Here

_____________________________

"Acoustic blues was, and still is, the heart and soul of the blues, and you showed it with every note you played.
That was our first Acoustic Roots Showcase and we needed a good example, so choosing you was right choice."

Boris Hrepi - Artistic Director - Thrill Blues Festival, Croatia, 2022

___________________________

Join Me

******

Copyright Dik Banovich 2025