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uckfield blues & roots 2023

27th JULY - 30TH JULY

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thursday 27th July

Crowborough Community Centre

doors open 6.45

Sean Taylor

Sean Taylor is an international touring troubadour. His songs are best described as roots; influenced by blues, Americana, jazz, spoken word and folk music. As well as prolific songwriter he is a multi-instrumentalist, a singer, guitarist, pianist, and harmonica player. He has just been nominated for a UK blues awards acoustic act of the year 2023. Sean will release two albums this year; ‘Sean Taylor Band Live’ and ‘Short Stories’.

Sean has opened for Robert Cray, John Fogerty, John Mayall, Neville Brothers, Tony Joe White, Band Of Horses, Richard Thompson, Eric Bibb and many other legends.

"Sean Taylor is a wonderfully talented modern troubadour whose sincere, thoughtful songs pull you in. I've had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him. He swings. Check him out!" Eric Bibb
Sean has opened for Robert Cray, John Fogerty, John Mayall, Neville Brothers, Tony Joe White, Band Of Horses, Richard Thompson, Eric Bibb and many other legends.

"Sean Taylor is a wonderfully talented modern troubadour whose sincere, thoughtful songs pull you in. I've had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him. He swings. Check him out!" Eric Bibb

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7.30

sean taylor

James Oliver

James Oliver has already rubbed shoulders with many of the greats of the guitar firmament Albert Lee...Bill Kirchen...Greg Koch to name a few. Now, having recorded three vital, very contemporary albums, he is preparing to write a new chapter of not only his career but also Welsh music history.
His progress since forming Glas in early 2012 has been steady rather than spectacular with nearly 2000 gigs, playing every gig in the Valleys before expanding horizons beyond. See him on stage, though, and spectacular is very much the word. Little wonder the late, great Deke Leonard of Man/Iceberg fame was moved to say that 'Speaking as a guitarist, James Oliver scares the hell out of me.'
Bill Kirchen says: 'James Oliver is the real deal, a passionate roots rocker loaded with guitar firepower'.

In April 2020 Twang released James' first solo album which features 7 original songs and 4 covers. It's already gained rave reviews and was number one on the Amazon blues chart for 3 weeks and has twice been played on BBC Radio 2 and plenty of support from the IBBA.

 

James oliver

8.30

James Oliver Band

Catfish

Catfish are one of the UK's most exciting blues-rock powerhouses on the circuit today.  They have quickly established themselves on the scene as one to watch. The band features multi award winning Matt Long on guitar and vocals, his father Paul Long on keyboards and vocals, Adam Pyke on bass and internationally acclaimed drummer Kev Hickman.

The band has released three studio albums, a live album and  also released an acoustic EP following their successful livestreams during lockdown.

The band has been making waves in the last few years, with regular tours and festivals appearances in the UK, Europe and the USA and have established themselves as a real force in the British blues scene.

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9.40

Catfish

friday 28th July

Uckfield Civic Centre

doors open 6.45

Stormy-T and Bluesman’s Lane

“Stormy-T and Bluesman’s Lane“ are a four piece band from Hastings, formed in 2018 over a mutual love for the more traditional Jump and Swing Blues of the 1940’s and 50’s.
 Since then the band have been playing regular weekly shows across the South East of England, which include residences in Hastings, Bexhill and Brighton, and in 2022 released their debut album of original material entitled “Drinkin’ & Swingin’

OIP

7.30

Stormy T and Bluesman's Lane

Saints & Sinners

A concert exploring the space and harmony between spiritual music and the devil's blues.
Blues and gospel, despite their obvious differences, have always been linked, perhaps different branches from the same tree. One developing on Saturday night, the other on Sunday morning.
With five voices, a multitude of guitars, percussion & even some homemade instruments these musicians create a world of soul, stories and soundscapes.
Join us for a foot-stomping, gut-wrenching, heart-soaring journey from the cross to the crossroads….and all points in-between.

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8.45

Saints & Sinners

The Cinelli Brothers

2nd place winners of the 2023 International Blues Challenge.
Winners of the 2022 UK Blues Challenge.
UK Blues awards nomination best blues band for the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
UK Blues awards 2023 nomination for best album “No Country For Bluesmen”.
The Cinelli Brothers have a passion for the music of the 1960’s, an amalgam of blues, rock and soul, and add a twist of contemporary style, making them a rising force on the music scene. Their appeal crosses all manner of boundaries, attracting a significantly younger crowd to their shows as well as pleasing the ears of older fans. Brothers Marco (guitar, keys, vocals) and Alessandro (drums, B/V’s) are joined by Tom Julian-Jones (guitar, harmonica, vocals) and Stephen Giry (bass, guitar, B/V’s).

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9.45

The Cinelli Brothers

saturday 29th July

Uckfield Civic Centre

doors open 6.45

Brave Rival

Brave Rival are the South East’s rip-roaring rock and blues Machine. Hailing from Portsmouth, the UK Blues Award Nominated band features the powerful and beautiful twin vocals of Chloe Josephine and Lindsey Bonnick. On lead guitar, providing dramatic guitar solos and crunching rock riffs is Ed “The Shred” Clarke, and holding it all together is the rhythmic backbone, the self-proclaimed engine room of Billy Dedman (bass) and Donna Peters (drums).
Drawing influence from the likes of John Mayer, Aretha Franklin, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin and Tedeschi Trucks, Brave Rival offer a style and sound that you’ve always known, and yet never heard before.

Tipped as one of Joe Bonamassa’s “favourite discoveries this year” the future is looking incredibly bright for this young up and coming band. Brave Rival are a band on a meteoric rise, firing on all cylinders and are about to take the world by storm. Their unique combination of beautifully harmonic, soulful vocals, epic guitar solos, pounding drums and powerful bass serves up an infectious sound that is not to be missed.

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7.30

Brave Rival

Sam Kelly Station House

Internationally renowned, legendary drummer, Sam Kelly is a professional musician with more than 40 years in the business.  His “Station House” band has been featuring on the U.K./Worldwide music scene for many years, mixing instinctive funk/soul rhythms with the diversity of the blues.

In 2019 Sam re-launched the band as a 4-piece featuring Sam Kelly (drums/bvs), Richard Sadler (bass),Tony Qunta (guitar/vocals) and Rowena Poole (lead vocals) and this format continues to work at venues and festivals all over Europe/UK.

Sam Kelly's Station House is a blues-based "groove" band with a unique sound that is influenced by New Orleans Second Line, soul, jazz and British funk.  The show centres around tracks from their latest album "No Barricades" featuring the works of TW Henderson plus songs from Johnny Guitar Watson, Keb Mo and Labi Siffre, to name but a few.

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8.45

Sam Kelly's Station House

Alice Armstrong

Alice Armstrong is a singer-songwriter from Surrey in the UK, known for her wide vocal range, unconventional lyrics, long red hair and enigmatic stage presence.  She has written songs that have reached the top twenty played lists of the Independent Blues Broadcasters’ Association and Blues Matters Magazine, and she has been nominated for four different categories in the UK Blues Awards.

Alice’s world-class band consists of some of the finest musicians on the circuit today, including members of award-winning acts such as Catfish and the Stevie Watts Organ Trio. Her music busts the seams of traditional genres, creating a heady amalgamation of blues, soul, funk, rock, pop and country.

An Alice Armstrong performance promises a soulful, dynamic, genre-busting show with an enigmatic repartee that leaves the audience laughing, crying and tapping their feet in equal measure.

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9.45

Alice Armstrong

free sunday 30th July afternoon

The Highlands Inn afternoon

Midnight Canonball

Midnight Canonball: a trio formed around a shared love of blues, rock n’ roll and jazz.
The style is improvisational and hard driving, avoiding any of the clichés often associated with the blues.
Comprising guitar/vocals, double bass, and drums, Midnight Canonball is creating genuine excitement amongst audiences with its dynamic interpretation of classic songs, and energetic delivery of original material.
Not to be missed!”

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12.45

Midnight Canonball ft. Neil Grove

Mad Max

The Mad Max band was formed in 1992 by seasoned pro guitarist Max Chetwynd, who had a vision of putting together a tight and hardworking three-piece blues/roots inspired band that could play on unshackled instinct. He headhunted the then young, singing bassist Kev Roberts and drumming maestro Steve Coleman, and the band was born, playing venues and festivals across the South of England with audiences ranging in size from a few to a few thousand. In 2008 Ivan Pledge signed up to drumming duties and this trio is the up-to-date version you will see playing in venues along the South Coast, keeping Max's original vision alive. Occasionally we go out as a four piece with the highly acclaimed keys player Frazer Wigg and we hope to persuade him to join us for this festival.

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2.00

Mad Max

Festival Jam

The Sunday afternoon music jam will include some of the most popular and most talented local musicians including Eddie Armer, Nigel Bagge, Stuart Bligh and Joel White who all came together to perform as our own supergroup at Uckfield's Ukraine fundraiser last year and after about 10 minutes rehearsal provided one of the most popular sets of the evening.
If that's not enough to whet your appetite the hugely talented Ben Tyzack from the Spikedrivers will be joining the proceedings with a few other local musicians here and there !

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3.15

Festival Jam

Desperate Dan Band and Friends

Desperate Dan & Friends! 40s/50s Swing Blues revisited and more!

Bob Brookes – The Desperate Dan Band worked with and share the stage with Miller Anderson, Chris Farlowe, Sherman Robertson, Buddy Whittington,Eamon McCormack, Dave Mattacks (Fairport etc) and a few others

Roger Adams – Former lead guitarist of Krakatoa in the 1970s, playing alongside people like Hans Zimmer, Nigel Glockler, Maggie Ryder and others.

Derek Austin – Keys: Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Eric Burdon, Linda Lewis, Marshall Hain, Mike and The Mechanics, Caravan, Status Quo, Jimmy Cliff,

Chris Hunt – Drums: Lonnie Donegan (23 years) Van Morrison, Meal Ticket,
Dana Gillespie Blues Band &Joe Cocker

Jim Barr – Bass: Worked with Chris Farlowe, Miller Anderson, Dave Mattacks. A regular on the Big band Circuit and a stalwart part of DD for a while now! Rock solid and hard to beat!

They will be joined by a few guests, So look Out!

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4.30

Desperate Dan Band and friends

sunday 30th July

The Highlands Inn Evening

6.15 to 7.45 Dining

Luke Jackson

Luke is a Singer-Songwriter from Canterbury, Kent, who at the start of his career was nominated in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for both the Horizon Award for Best Emerging Talent and The Young Folk Category in 2013. He was also winner of Fatea’s “Male Artist of the Year 2014” and 2016. His live album ‘Solo:Duo:Trio’ was voted 2018 Album of the Year by Laurel Canyon and in 2020 his album ‘Journals’ was voted 2019 Album of the Year by Fatea Magazine.
Over the past few years Luke has steadily developed a reputation for himself through his solo, duo or trio shows, many festival appearances or when opening for such luminaries as Fairport Convention, Show of Hands, Steve Knightley, Martyn Joseph, Seth Lakeman, Karine Polwart, Oysterband, Paul Brady, Glen Tilbrook, Sarah Jarosz and John Paul White, formerly of the legendary Civil Wars. In addition to the UK, Luke has toured across Europe, Canada and the USA.
 Luke is now back on the road performing up and down the country impressing audiences with his show stopping vocals, emotive storytelling and captivating stage presence!

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7.45

Luke Jackson

Veronica Sbergia & Max De Bernardi

"Good time blues is alive and well and residing in... Milan, Italy. A band with a mission" - Folk & Roots Magazine
Veronica Sbergia & Max De Bernardi passionately play country blues and ragtime, hokum, jug band and rural music from the 20's and 30's.
They like to keep this precious musical heritage alive faithfully reproducing its original sound whilst playing it with a modern twist.
Using strictly acoustic instruments such ukulele, washboard, kazoo, resophonic guitars and doublebass their passion for this music is perfectly represented on their last CD "OLD STORIES FOR MODERN TIMES", that also sees contributions by other leading musicians and friends, Sugar Blue (a legendary harmonica player in the past with the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Willie Dixon and Frank Zappa) and the world master of resophonic guitar, Bob Brozman.

OIP

9.00

Veronica Sbergia & Max De Bernardi

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