Friday 23rd July 2021
mIKE ROSS BAND | ELLIE BAILEYS BAND | PAUL LAMB & THE KING SNAKES
MIKE ROSS
BAND
7.30pm
About Mike Ross Band
"Burnt in Blues, Soaked in Soul!" - Kerrang!
Born and raised in the Great North but living these days down in the Southland with a steady mind and a thoroughbred plan, Mike writes soul wrenchin', riff bustin' songs that will make you want to share the tale of his life's journey and the lessons he's learned.
This winding road leads from England to Europe before jumping the Atlantic to New York, detouring way down south to Memphis and New Orleans via Clarksdale Mississippi and Nashville Tennessee, soaking up every scent and sound along the way before fetching up on the shores of Sussex with a lifetimes worth of tales to share.
This lad from the far North East has distilled the essence of the Deep South and West Coast of America - Blues In Britain
Mike takes listeners on a uniquely detailed and image packed history tour of the history of the music of the music he loves to play, beginning in the Mississippi Delta at the beginning of the 20th century and finishing up right back in the present moment with his powerful emotive voice and intoxicating virtuosic guitar playing carrying you every inch of the way.
Fuzzed up, fierce and full frontal fiery attack coupled with sexy, smooth slidin', southern soul! - Mojo Magazine
To experience Mike playing solo or with the other members of his 4 piece band egging him on is to see why one reviewer declared him 'soaked in soul & burnt in blues'.
ELLES BAILEY
BAND
8.30pm
About Elles Bailey Band
They say you get a lifetime to write your first album & the blink of an eye to make your second. Elles Bailey wins either way, and she’s followed up the widespread success of Wildfire with the stunningly mature and highly personal synopsis of a year that changed her life with the no.1 selling brand new album 'Road I Call Home'.
“Wildfire was written over five years,” says Elles, “Road I call Home was written over one. It tells the story of touring Wildfire, and how my life has changed since. I feel it delves deeper, and deals with loss, love, anger, determination and life on the road, with more than 200 gigs under my belt and many miles travelled.”
Released on march 8th straight in at the top of the Amazon Blues charts as well as charting at number 13 in the Official UK Country Charts and it is still attracting 5 star reviews left, right and centre as well as loads of mainstream national radio support across the UK and Europe.
The album has, already, had 850 000 streams on Spotify (her total streams run into millions) and has received curated playlist support as well as picking up tons of Spotify algorithmic plays on releaser radar.
As well as being an international touring artist, playing sold out shows all over the world, Elles is a self confessed DIY artist and If ever there was a fine example of the Do It Yourself nature of the music business then Elles Bailey is it. From rather humble beginnings Elles has by dint of hard work and talent smashed through and past much bigger artists and bigger industry players - not least major record labels - by taking time and effort to really understand the brave new world that is today's landscape, being brave, breaking rules, making a few mistakes (always part of the learning process) and just powering through obstacles and doing whatever it takes. Her work ethic, both on the road, at shows, and in front of her spreadsheets is nothing short of phenomenal.
No surprise but 2019 is full of tour dates for Miss Bailey on he road that she really does call home. When she arrives near you, don't think twice, get there. A great evening and a long musical friendship will be waiting.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR ROAD I CALL HOME
PAUL LAMB & THE KING SNAKES
9.45pm
about Paul Lamb & The King Snakes
Lamb started playing the harmonica during his childhood, inspired by Sonny Terry, and he was fortunate to meet and collaborate with him after beginning to perform in clubs by the age of fifteen. Lamb played only acoustic blues until about 1980. Lamb also played alongside his heroes such as Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and Brownie McGhee. He formed the Blues Burglars with guitarist Johnny Whitehill in the early 1980s, a formation that eventually became Paul Lamb & the King Snakes. They released an eponymous album with Ace Records in 1990, followed by several others, each building both Lamb's personal reputation as a harmonica player and the band's prestige.He was awarded with the British Blues Connection's annual award for the best local harmonica player several years in a row whilst the King Snakes frequently took the title as best band.
As a consequence, his own harmonica skills have been in demand, and he had a hit in 1994 in the UK Singles Chart with the track, "Harmonica Man" (under the pseudonym of Bravado) with Pete Waterman.Lamb has also worked with Mark Knopfler, The Who, Rod Stewart and Jimmy Nail, played on BBC and film soundtracks, and various television commercials in the UK.
Lamb was more recently inducted into the British Blues Awards Hall Of Fame. Consistently rated as being one of the greatest harmonica players in the world, Mr Lamb leads the way as a Blues entertainer
.
The band delivers outstanding Blues with an amazing on stage performance, to delight one & all.
Expect a wonderful mix of hip shaking blues & boogie from the Mississippi Delta to the bright lights & city sound of Chicago
saturday 24th July 2021
STEVE WATTS ORGAN TRIO FT ALICE ARMSTRONG | THE ACHIEVERS | CATFISH
STEVIE WATTS ORGAN TRIO FT ALICE ARMSTRONG
7.30pm
About Stevie Watts Organ Trio Ft Alice Armstrong
Stevie Watts and Nat Martin met when they were both booked as sidemen on a gig with singer Jo Harman and Stevie knew straight away that he wanted Nat in his trio when they clicked musically and personally. Two or three years after playing soul jazz and blues around the pubs in Brighton and the south east with drummer Vinnie Lammi, the trio met on the YouGig studio boat in Shoreham by Sea to play through some ideas that Stevie wrote at home and their debut album started to form. That Christmas in 2017 the trio had a show in Sussex when Alice Armstrong happened to be opening the show with her duo. Stevie was blown away by Alice and asked her if she would like to co write on the tracks that required vocals. After a few writing sessions Mission to the Moon was made containing all original tracks and was recorded live in the studio.
These are four musicians that perform from the heart. “We just play what we wanna play and each performance has something different to offer”. Influences come mainly from sixties soul, funk, blues and soul jazz.
The fire and energy in the sound that these three make defies the fact that they’re a trio and when Alice joins them they turn into something that no other band using this format with organ bass sounds like. Take outstanding players with great songs that make you dance as well as cry (in a good way!), include infectious funk and rip-roaring solo’s and you have something that you would be absolutely crazy to miss!
THE ACHIEVERS
8.30pm
About the Achievers
UK blues challenge winners the achievers are one of the most talked about and critically acclaimed bands on the uk blues and roots music scene. with a reputation for innovation and originality they prove that soul, groove and song-craft still matter in the blues.
in less than 18 months their own brand of modern, secular 'dancefloor gospel-blues' has catapulted them from near-complete obscurity to rave reviews and big-stage appearances across the world. following the release of their 2019 album 'the lost arc' they received radio airplay by cerys matthew (bbc 2 blues show) and reached #1 in the independent blues broadcasters airplay charts.
in september 2019 the band won one of the most prestigious accolades in british blues music when they were selected to represent the uk at the international and european blues challenges in 2020.
the achievers draw on their obsession with American vintage dancing music and the songwriting pioneers of early rhythm & blues, americana and southern soul - and with their infectious rhythms, joyful melodies and four-part harmonies they stand proudly as British blues & roots outliers
CATFISH
9.45pm
About Catfish
UK and British Blues Award winning band Catfish have carved a reputation for themselves as an excellent live band with a phenomenal frontman in 25 year old guitarist/vocalist Matt Long who plays with a real passion for the blues. Over 2 years they received 5 nominations in the British Blues Awards and in May 2018 were awarded a UK Blues Award as Blues Act of the Year (England). Both their albums have reached no 1 in the IBBA Blues Airplay Charts, and their album Broken Man was voted album of the year for 2017 by the Independent Blues Broadcasters Association. Their new album Burning Bridges is already receiving great reviews. During 2018, they played in Holland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Rhodes and Spain and have a further three European tours already booked for 2019, along with an impressive set of UK dates all over the UK.
'Catfish are one of the finest live bands in Britain today. The quality of musicianship is outstanding and in Matt Long, they have one of the greatest young guitarists on the scene today...' Blues Matters Magazine
Winner UK Blues Award for Blues act of the Year (England) May 2018
Winner in the keyboards category in the British Blues Awards 2016 (Paul Long)
Nominated Young Artist of the Year in the UK Blues Awards 2018 (Matt Long)
sunday Afternoon 25th july
KING SIZE SLIM | FRAN MCGILLIVARY & MIKE BURKE | JOEL WHITE BAND
SAM BROTHERS | THE CINELLI BROS
KING SIZE SLIM
12.30pm
About King Size Slim
Having spent the previous 4 years touring and recording with TwoTone pioneers 'The Selecter' along with other Ska and Reggae luminaries, the sound was always going to be rhythm led, heavy on the bass and rootsy in the melody.
The trademarks of that sound emanate from a road-beaten Resophonic guitar, a powerful and direct vocal style and a peculiar rhythm section of Double Bass and a duo of Percussionists. It‘s a heavyweight acoustic sound that shouts loud and kisses sweet.
" .....few artists create a distinctive sound KSS has done just that, terrific stuff..." R2 Magazine 5 star review
Performing regular shows at the legendary 100 Club, Camden’ Jazz Cafe and Union Chapel Islington announced KING SIZE SLIM to an enthusiastic London Scene. Following the release of his debut studio album 'Milk Drunk' KING SIZE SLIM won international critical acclaim, IBBA album of the month, a British Blues Award and a nomination in Wasser Prawda magazine awards.
“The stand out act of the weekend” E-Festivals Acoustic Festival of Great Britain
Word soon spread amongst gig go-ers and bookers alike that KING SIZE SLIM was a hot act and subsequently Toby was handpicked to perform solo support for rock legends Queen at the BBC event 'Rock Big Ben' at Westminster Central Hall, London. Soon after he was invited as a guest of the Prince of Bahrain to perform live sessions at 2 Seas Studio and The Island Vibes music festival on the Island Kingdom of Bahrain.
“Here's 'Milk Drunk' ... I really like this record!” - Huey Morgan, BBC Radio 2 / 6 Music
FRAN MCGILLIVARY & MIKE BURKE
1.30pm
About Fran & Mike
In the mid 1990s we formed the urban blues band So Long Angel, releasing two CDs, "Would it Matter" and "Falling", and touring extensively. In 2005 we appeared again as a duo on the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival Acoustic stage and had such fun that we decided to concentrate our energies on the duo, enjoying again the intimacy of this style for both live shows and recording. We released two CDs "Restless" ( 2006) and "The Road that you Believe In" (2009), which have been very well received and were great fun to record.
In 2012 we toured the UK as members of the Spikedrivers Blues Roots Revue and had such a ball that we decided to expand our sound a little, so we got together with Roger Nunn, the drummer from So Long Angel days to form the Fran McGillivray Band. We're loving playing as a trio, with Roger switching between full kit and djembe . We think we produce a highly distinctive sound, with lots of scope for dynamics, interplay and rhythmic improvisation. In addition to original songs, our live set features our take on songs by Little Walter, Robert Johnson and Willie Dixon as well as numbers by some of the great women of the blues - Bessie smith, Big Momma Thornton, Etta James and Memphis Minnie. We also still enjoy performing as a duo.
In 2013 we released the first Fran McGillivray Band CD "Some Luck", which is made up mainly of original songs written by Mike and myself, some featuring special guest Alan Glen blowing some great harmonica. The songs have a broad range of tones, textures and themes, but they're all rooted in the music we love - the Blues.
2017 saw the release of Midnight Call, another album of original songs with blues, country and Americana stylings and featuring special guests Alan Glen on harmonica, Mike Paice on sax and Martin Smith on lap steel.
In Autumn 2018 we toured as Saints and Sinners, a project where we join the Spikedrivers to form a five piece band exploring the connections between blues and spirituals. A second tour followed in Autumn 2019. We have completed the first Saints & Sinners album and this will be released to coincide with the 2020 autumn tour.
Right now (February 2020), we’re working with Roger on a new Fran McGillivray Band album which we hope to have ready for release in a few months, and we’re busy with duo and trio live shows.
JOEL WHITE BAND
2.30pm
About Joel White Band
Joel White is dynamic, musical and entertaining in equal measure. Soul, Blues, Jazz and Funk are the languages he most fluently speaks. Since the age of 7 playing music has been a part of his life, starting with guitar then diversifying and adapting to becoming a multi-instrumentalist and accomplished songwriter.
Whilst building a multi-faceted portfolio career Joel has worked behind the scenes with great acts including 10cc, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Vanessa-Mae and The Three Degrees. On stage his skill in listening and engaging with others musically has taken him around the world including performances in the US, Scotland, Belgium, Holland, Austria and as far afield as Australia.
At the start of this new chapter, Joel is making strides at home and on foreign soil, taking his music to a wider audience. His influences include the likes of B.B. King, The Beatles, The Carpenters, Jon Cleary, Stevie Wonder, Dire Straits, Steve Vai, Guthrie Govan and many more. Sharing passion and enthusiasm in communication of emotion and feeling are central to the music Joel creates.
In recent years Joel's performance credits include 10cc, Aynsley Lister, Red Butler, Heidi Burson and support for Veronica Sbergia & Max De Bernardi , Lisa Mills, The Animals, Catfish, Maggie Bell And The British Blues Quintet and many more.
SAM BROTHERS
3.45pm
About Sam Brothers
Sam Brothers is a 25 year old singer-songwriter and performer, based in Canterbury, in the South of England. Although he is rooted in the raw traditions of the travelling Troubadour – he reflects the ever-changing world we live in through the wide eyes of his generation.
Sam is a massive talent - a remarkable guitarist and unique song-writer, blessed with an astonishing voice that recalls the gentle sensitivity of Nick Drake, but underscored by the screaming power and swooping range of Jeff Buckley……. And with something more, an honesty and intensity that is purely Sam Brothers. His songs reflect the truths that his single-minded lifestyle and tough choices have delivered. Rooted in the raw passion of the early protest singers and touching on the beauty of the first wave of folksters – Sam’s songs are invested with echoes of Dylan, Buckley, Drake, Van Zandt, and all the stops along the long, old, lonely road that those illustrious names illuminate.
Sam truly has something to say, a unique way to say it and a collection of people who believe in him and will support him in the process. He is already a great performer and a star in the making, but a new kind of star, who has a message to deliver and the tools to deliver that message.
Sam has spent the last two years working relentlessly in a variety of live venues and street-based busking locations across the UK, and has been a regular on the small Festival circuit in the South of England and a support artist of choice for acts as diverse as Sarah Jarosz, Rab Noakes, Hank Wangford and The Pretty Things. in funky, authentic venues like the Eel Pie Club, The Gulbenkian Theatre and The Troubadour, and has graced larger Festival stages like The Lunar, Blissfields and Smallworld alongside The Medlars, Callahan, Gentlemen of Few and even The Troggs.....
Sam's performance at last year's Uckfield Blues & Roots was a tremendous success...... receiving a standing ovation from the entire audience. Here's a young man following in the footsteps of local legend, Rory Graham ( aka Rag'n'Bone Man ) who performed at the very first Uckfield Blues & Roots Festival in 2013.
THE CINELLI BROS
4.45pm
About The Cinelli Bros
The Cinelli Brothers is a project born out of a common passion for the electric Chicago and Texas blues from the 60s and 70s, when brothers Marco (guitarist and lead singer) and Alessandro (drummer) decided to form an explosive team showcasing original repertoire in the style of Chess, Stax and Motown.
Joining the two brothers on stage, Enzo Strano on bass and Tom Julian-Jones on harmonica and guitar.
Their debut album Babe Please Set Your Alarm was recorded at the Soup Studio in London and the full live and analog recording was released in May 2018 on vinyl and digital format.
The record went number 2 in the IBBA (Independent Blues Broadcasters' Association) in June 2018.
The band is been featured in Blues in Britain, Blues Matters, Classic Rock and other magazines.
This album comprises nine tasty original compositions and three finely crafted covers. ‘Chain of Fools’ by Don Covay (an Aretha hit), ‘Back Door Man’ – which stays true to Willie Dixon’s number - and Prince’s ‘Kiss’, in a remarkable shuffle rhythm.
Music Republic Magazine nominated Marco Cinelli as Best Guitar Player of 2018.
Legendary radio and broadcaster David ‘Kid’ Jensen has played s different track from their album on six consecutive weeks of his United Djs radio show. Naming them as his favourite blues outfit, and his favourite blues album in many years.
The Cinelli Brothers champion a new generation of passionate musicians sharing in the love of Blues, Soul, R&B and the true authentic sounds that have made the blues a cornerstone of music history.
sunday EVENING 25th july
THE LONG RUNNERS | OLIVER DARLING | BLUES AND GROOVES
OLIVER DARLING & BLUES AND GROOVES
THE LONG RUNNERS
7.15pm
About The Long Runners
OLIVER DARLING
8.15pm
About Oliver Darling
Oliver has worked with many musicians over his career building a good reputation, and today enjoys being involved with some of the best artists in the business.
He started playing a guitar his Mother got from a jumble sale when 10 after expressing an interest in playing after hearing ''Purple Haze'' by Jimi Hendrix at school. He then had lessons for three or four years, before teaching himself. His Fathers record collection was mainly blues and 60s Rock and Roll (especially Big Bill Broonzy), all heavily guitar led. For an aspiring young guitarist, this was a library of exciting tricks to learn, more so than other music around at the time or since, and Oliver quickly became a student of the blues and its many forms. But the lessons really started when he began playing with other musicians....
'I got ok at it (guitar), and my Uncle Martin introduced me to some local musicians, including Steve Walwyn (guitarist with Dr Feelgood and The Big Town Playboys at the time). Steve invited me up on stage when I was 15, and the buzz was amazing, I knew what I wanted to do...'
Oliver then formed his first band, with Chas Chaplin (the drummer from Steve's band) on drums, and firstly Matt Clark then later Craig Rhind (also from Steve's band) on bass....the band was called The Bluetits!
'Retrospectively, I was very lucky to be playing with experienced and tasteful musicians like these, really spoilt-they saved me years of messing around and pointed me in the right direction'.
Around this time Oliver saw Mike Sanchez, then front man of The Big Town Playboys;
'I was really blown away with his style and charisma, and also the level of musicianship, I'd never seen anyone that good before. The fact that it was wrapped up with a great show as well was awesome, he had everything'.
This made an impression, and Oliver's understanding of the whole art of the show began to develop.
It was also around this time that Oliver fully began to appreciate the true brilliance of Fleetwood Mac's frontman and founder,Peter Green;
'I'd always listened to and liked Peter Green, but one day something clicked, and I just suddenly realised. I suppose it was just growing up a bit, kind of like an acquired taste. It also happened to me like that with T-Bone Walker, and with Charles Brown and Johnny Moore especially-I listened to the albums the first time, and thought they were ok, but then something would keep nagging at me, haunting me, and I'd put the album on again, and then be think ''Wow, this is amazing.... I want to learn how to do this!'''
A few years later, around 21, Oliver was supporting a group called Electric Leg (featuring Sanchez's bass player, Al Gare) with The Bluetits, and the guys really liked a couple of T-Bone Walker tracks The Bluetits performed. They asked Oliver up to do a couple of numbers with them. This was also where the nickname 'Darling' came from-at the end of the gig, the singer wanted to introduce Oliver, and asked 'what's his name?'. One of the band replied 'Darling', and when announced, there was some sniggering...! After this, the name stuck
The trademarks of that sound emanate from a road-beaten Resophonic guitar, a powerful and direct vocal style and a peculiar rhythm section of Double Bass and a duo of Percussionists. It‘s a heavyweight acoustic sound that shouts loud and kisses sweet.
" .....few artists create a distinctive sound KSS has done just that, terrific stuff..." R2 Magazine 5 star review
Performing regular shows at the legendary 100 Club, Camden’ Jazz Cafe and Union Chapel Islington announced KING SIZE SLIM to an enthusiastic London Scene. Following the release of his debut studio album 'Milk Drunk' KING SIZE SLIM won international critical acclaim, IBBA album of the month, a British Blues Award and a nomination in Wasser Prawda magazine awards.
“The stand out act of the weekend” E-Festivals Acoustic Festival of Great Britain
Word soon spread amongst gig go-ers and bookers alike that KING SIZE SLIM was a hot act and subsequently Toby was handpicked to perform solo support for rock legends Queen at the BBC event 'Rock Big Ben' at Westminster Central Hall, London. Soon after he was invited as a guest of the Prince of Bahrain to perform live sessions at 2 Seas Studio and The Island Vibes music festival on the Island Kingdom of Bahrain.
“Here's 'Milk Drunk' ... I really like this record!” - Huey Morgan, BBC Radio 2 / 6 Music
BLUES AND GROOVES
9.30pm
OLIVER DARLING & BLUES AND GROOVES
10.15pm
Lizzie Wells | Moose Wells | Muffin Berry | Simon Coleman | Val Frost | Ian Frost