SINCE I WAS A BOY, I WAS INSPIRED BY THE SOUND OF HAMMERS BEATING DOWN ON THE IRON AND THE ANVIL. IT WAS CLEAR THAT I WOULD BECOME A BLACKSMITH AND MUSICIAN
THE BLACKSMITH
The sound of iron
EXPERIENCE
After his studies, Werner became experienced in all types of iron work to learn the material better and to optimize his skills: He worked on boats, cars, in construction companies and also learned several renovation techniques..
PROFESSIONAL
IIn the early 90's, he began his career as a blacksmith, making fences, gates, artwork and doing restorations.
Later, he taught blacksmithing at the R. Steiner school in Antwerp.
TO CONTINUE
He moved with his family to Norway in September 2009. The only thing he wants to do is to continue as a blacksmith and make music.
Because his wife, Mischa Vanhoudt, also became passionate about iron and loved to design, they started to work and collaborate together.
NEW MISSION
These days, Werner is trying to bring the culture of blacksmithing back to life via projects for schools and teaching blacksmithing principles and techniques. Starting September 2017, his new blacksmith will be available for courses.
THE MUSICIAN
The journey
Werner Blaas' Musical Tour as a Blues Harp player passed through several bands: The Roosters, Mc. Antoni Blues Gang, Magic Franky, The Zoots, Mr. Boogie Woogie, and Sammy Rose. For several years, he was a member of the music group, Pur Sang with Rob de Nijs and received a Golden Record. His Blues harp sound works like magic and it produces sounds from Blues, Country, Pop & Rock to sounds linked to Lounge, Dance, Trance en Techno.
The innovative idea to experiment with digital music arose, in the beginning of the century, and on the playgrounds of Pukkelpop and Lowlands where Werner was performing with a DJ in the lounge hall of Levi’s Straus.
The liberty to experiment and to play with performers and all kind of musicians gave him the opportunity to go back to the soul of music, and to improve his blues sound.
The last few years, he started to sing and a new story in his musical journey began.
Nice to know
Werner has been rewarded several times as "Best Blues Harp Player" of the Netherlands and Belgium.
He recorded ier several TV commercial . The most famous one was for UNOX soup.
In 2016, he donated his entire vintage Bluesharp Collection to the Notodden Blueseum.
