If opposites truly attract, then Larry Garner and Michael van Merwyk are living, blues-playing proof.

The two award-winning musicians may come from opposite sides of the Atlantic, but their shared passion for the blues and deep respect for its traditions have forged a long-standing and close musical friendship. Since their first meeting some 20 years ago, they have performed together countless times in clubs and theaters, as well as at renowned festivals such as Italy’s Torrita Blues, Belgium’s Duvel Blues, and the prestigious Lucerne Blues Festival. At first glance, few similarities are apparent — yet between them exists a seemingly magical chemistry.

Singer and guitarist Larry Garner hails from the deep South of the USA, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During the 1970s and ’80s, he became a local legend at the iconic nightclub Tabby’s Blues Box. After winning the International Blues Challenge in 1988, he recorded numerous albums for the British label JSP and later for international labels such as Verve, Evidence, Ruf Records, and DixieFrog. Garner has now been performing his mostly electrified blues and soul for over four decades, earning five Blues Music Award nominations and induction into the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame. He is celebrated as a tasteful guitarist with humorous, soulful vocals, and a reputation as an outstanding songwriter and storyteller.

Aspiring musician Michael van Merwyk first honed his craft at the Roadhouse, a blues club located some 5,000 miles from Baton Rouge in his German hometown of Rheda-Wiedenbrück. As a member of the house band, he gained invaluable experience performing with American legends such as Jimmy Rogers, Lazy Lester, and Joe Louis Walker. Today, van Merwyk has been active for 35 years and is highly respected for his skills on both acoustic and electric guitar. With his band Bluesoul, he became the first European to reach the finals of the International Blues Challenge in 2013. He has also been recognized at the German Blues Awards as Best Guitarist and Best Singer.

In 2013, Garner and van Merwyk toured together as a duo for the first time, solidifying their partnership shortly afterward with the live album Upclose & Personal. Van Merwyk describes this recording of a January 2014 Germany performance as the ultimate private concert “like being in your own living room” — after all, the duo aims to give audiences an intimate, authentic experience at every show. They need no gimmicks or flashy poses. Larry Garner and Michael van Merwyk are two seasoned blues musicians who value authenticity, spontaneity, and pure musical joy above all else.