Biography

(long version)

Rex Blazer's exuberant presence has been energizing dancers nationwide for over 25 years. Rex's powerful and irreverent fiddling blends tradition with a big dose of improvisation based on modern musical motifs. From growling to "trad", blues to singing, it's always full of surprises. Rex ascribes to the theory that life should be a nonstop music and dance party, and is renowned for his knack of matching music to dance.

Rex, who lives somewhere between Montana, Florida, Maine, and Alaska, has been fiddling for 30 years. He grew up in Eastern Kentucky where he was exposed to the music of Jean Ritchie, John Jacob Niles, and other local Appalachian influences at an early age. He attended high school in Austin, Texas in the early 70's, which brought an appreciation of "the Austin Sound" (Delta Blues, Cajun,"Texas country", Western Swing) as it was developing.

Rex started playing bluegrass fiddle in Montana in the 70's and played in numerous bluegrass bands there before briefly attending the South Plains College Country and Bluegrass music program -- until he discovered traditional fiddle tunes and dance. This love of traditional dance music led him to Cape Breton in 1983 where he studied for a year under Carl MacKenzie and Kyle MacNeill.

Subsequently Rex has actively studied many diverse great fiddlers, with a focus on contemporary dance related styles and tunes - Cajun & Zydeco, Quebecoise, Irish, Old-Time, Scottish, Bluegrass, Country, Blues, Swing, & Rock. He currently focuses on touring with the dance band LIFT TICKET as well as playing recording and performance projects with singer-songwriters, fiddle in country and rock bands, and solo work for receptions, weddings, and other private engagements.

(short version)

Rex Blazer, who lives somewhere between Montana, Florida, Maine, and Alaska, has been energizing dancers nationwide for over 25 years. With a focus on contra and square dance fiddling, Rex is well known for his for his "liberal" interpretation of traditional and contemporary tunes and pop music, blending them into his own uniquely improvisational style. In addition, he plays recording and performance projects with singer-songwriters, fiddle in country and rock bands, and solo work for receptions, weddings, and other private engagements.