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The 2nd Swanage Blues & Roots Festival 3, 4, 5 October 2008
free admission to all venues - dig deep when the collections come round - your donations keep this going
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Robin Bibi Band * The Mustangs * Keith Thompson's Strange Brew * Ian Hunt * Chris Scott's Bluesdevil * Jon Walsh Blues Band * Coalhouse Walker Blues Band * Chris Collins & Blues Etc with Hugh Budden and Steve Darrington * Motel 6 * Ernie's Rhythm Section * Slim Lightfoot Band * Fabulous Fezheads * John Crampton * C Sharp Blues * Coast * The Jives * Pete Smith * Martin Froud & Jim Tigwell * Sonny Black * Will Killeen * Bob Long & Keith Miller * Jim Reynolds * Andrew Bazeley * Confused Blues * Mike Healey & Paul Rowlands * Steve Darrington
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Saturday Afternoon - White Horse jam session Saturday Evening - The Ship Sunday Afternoon - White Horse jam session |
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Robin Bibi is a charismatic and versatile performer who never fails to engage his audience. He has worked with Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Ben E. King and many more. Due to the band's growing reputation and a highly entertaining stage presentation, The Robin Bibi Band has become one of Britain’s busiest bands. Blues, funk, soul, rock, reggae and jazz are all rolled together in their unique sound which can be heard on the album 'Blue Thrash Therapy'. This is a mixture of the band's most requested songs from the live set and their own original songs. This album received excellent reviews and extensive airplay. Robin Bibi is exuberant, passionate, dynamic, exciting and fun. His music is played straight from the heart and will move your head, your heart and of course your feet!
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KEITH THOMPSON'S Saturday Evening - Grand Hotel |
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Keith Thompson’s Strange Brew is an exciting live band with a huge following in mainland Europe, especially Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Poland. The band also appeared in Slovenia this year at the prestigious “Postonja Blues Festival” with “Ten Years After” and “Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes”, after Keith completed his 4th Blues/Rock album, “Independence”. The album has been getting great reviews, and Keith is starting to get long overdue recognition as a guitarist and songwriter in this country. Last year he headlined at the Colne R&B festival in Lancashire as well as Upton Blues Festival and Gloucester R&B Festival. It all started while still teenagers in pre-punk 70’s Keith and his band toured Germany, playing 6 nights a week, playing 5 x 45 minute sets a night! That was Keith’s first full-time professional stint and it changed his life! Over the years he has released a lot of incidental music for television programs and soundtrack projects and he has sold over 100,000 albums. Keith also writes songs and music for other artists and musical projects. He has added his skills on stage or in recordings to projects by Spooky Tooth, Mike D’Abo, Steve Winwood, Ruby Turner, Larry Burton (Albert Collins, John Lee Hooker) Dave Markee and Henry Spinetti (Eric Clapton Band and Tina Turner) Greg Ridley of Humble Pie, Robbie Blunt (Robert Plant) Luther Grosvenor of Mott The Hoople and many others. He is joined on stage by Patsy Gamble (sax) who appeared on Mick Jagger’s solo album, “Goddess In The Doorway” and has been a regular fixture in the band over recent years. Below are just some quotes from the music press: “Keith Thompson finally and without doubt on the top level of the British Blues-Rock-guitar-players. With a lot of power, energy and creativity, added with matching song lyrics and from time to time a hard ground beat, which always leaves enough space for the virtuosity of the master. This music is timeless” ~ Swiss Music (CH) "A blinding gem of a blues/rock album" – Blues Matters Magazine
"The best
album of the blues/rock genre I have heard in a long time"-
Hard Roxx Magazine "Rip Snorting Blues/Rock. Stomps along like there's no tomorrow" - Rock 'n Reel Magazine The new album “Independence” is now available. Check www.densitymusic.com for the latest news and info about gigs and recordings. |
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Friday Evening - White Horse |
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What a great pleasure to have this wonderful band again! The Jon Walsh Blues Band conjures up all the different colours and moods of The Blues – it rocks, boogies, stomps, howls, cries and weeps with a wide variety of blues from the slide guitar of the Mississippi Delta to the boogies of Texas and the jazz blues of Chicago. The JWBB hails from the Hants/Wilts border and has been playing the local circuit for about three or four years, occasionally jaunting off to Cornwall, Norfolk, Birmingham, London and Blackpool for mini tours and larger gigs. In 2005 they recorded and released a new live album – “Can You Feel It?” and are looking to record their next one. They supported Mojo Buford (Chicago) on his UK tour and have appeared at The St Ives Festival, The Annual Tregenna Castle Charity Concert, and The Summer Blues Festival in for Boogaloo Promotions. Jon Walsh (vocals, guitars, slide guitar, harp). Jon learned music as a youngster with the RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) and now teaches others as a guitar tutor in and around Andover. As well as fronting The JWBB he plays lead, acoustic and slide guitar, and maybe a little harp when he feels bold enough! Jon also writes the original material for the band and even though he wasn’t born in the Mississippi Delta all his compositions are pure Blues. Jon also performs as a solo act playing many of the well-known and some not so well known blues songs of the 20s 30s and 40s on his Martin and Taylor acoustics and his Dobro set up for bottleneck style. Pete Miller (keyboards, backing vocals.) Pete (affectionately known as “Mrs Mills” or “Mojo Miller” by the rest of the band) is the co-founder of JWBB with Jon. He is the maestro of the band having attained a BA(Hons) in Music and is now the Head of Music at a well-known secondary school. In the world of music, if Pete doesn’t know about it – it hasn’t been written. He is a seriously brilliant pianist/organist and fortunately for JWBB, his first love is the Blues. Pete has previously played with “Soundbite” and occasionally stands in for the Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra, along with his wife, Suzanne, who plays 1st Cello. Steve Stevens (bass, vocals). Steve has played bass with Jon on and off for years and is quite simply one of the best bass players in the South (of the UK that is, his fame hasn’t quite reached Mississippi yet!). Steve’s style is that of a solid but creative bass player who can play delicately (rare these days!) for slow jazzy blues but can also lay down a bedrock of boogie when required. Steve has been there, done it and worn the T-shirt after playing with “London”, “The Vampires” and “The Raiders” on some the UK’s largest stages before joining the JWBB. Terry Michael (drums, percussion). Terry is the most recent addition to the band. He has an awesome reputation as one of the best blues and jazz drummers around. Quite deservedly so as Terry is one of the few drummers who, not only drives a band with energy and precision, but also plays with real feel and passion – essential for a blues outfit. Previously, he played with “Canterbury Tales”, “Rod Garfield”, “Blues on Red” and “The Blues Boys”. When Jon approached Terry to join JWBB he was amazed and delighted when Terry accepted. He is now a firm fixture with the band. If you like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Tampa Red, Freddie King, Albert King, BB King, Robert Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bobby Bland, John Lee Hooker, Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Willie McTell, Son House, Willie Dixon, Elmore James, Blind Willie Johnson, Rory Gallagher, Albert Collins, and Otis Rush... you'll love the Jon Walsh Blues Band!
Get On The Mailing List for latest news click here! |
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www.myspace.com/onlyforthepleasure Friday Evening - Grand Hotel Saturday Afternoon - The Ship Inn Saturday Evening - Crow's Nest Sunday Afternoon - Bankes Arms Hotel, Corfe Castle |
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"At the 2007 blues festival the Bournemouth Echo 'discovered' a group of young men busking outside the Mowlem where they'd attracted a huge crowd. "Although a complete surprise, they captured the spirit of the festival, created joy wherever they went, and made a tremendous contribution to the weekend with their wonderful music. "I just had to get them back. Make sure you include Ernie's Rhythm Section in your schedule this weekend!" - festival organiser Steve Darrington. |
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Photograph: Corin Messer/Daily Echo, Bournemouth |
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"They're called Ernie's Rhythm Section and had a couple of venues veritably stomping while eschewing the use of any amplification. They have a tremendously infectious feelgood vibe and give one the feeling that this must have been what blues was like back before it went electric. Though I understand they can do electric too. A band to watch out for." - Bob Long "Unashamedly using an old formula, but to exhilarating effect, are Ernie's Rhythm Section. If only it could be bottled, their blistering blues would breath life back into the dead and bring optimism to even the most gloomy of outlooks. It's a relentless buzz of cutting delta guitars, jubilant vocals and smoking harp that leaves the venue swaying. We're left unclear as to which Manchester crossroad this lot met Lucifer, but they've got a big payback coming a lifetime down the line. Brilliant." - Manchester Sounds |
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"It takes several glimpses to be entirely convinced that the lead singer, Michael's voice is actually surging from his own mouth, such is its resonance and richness With the improbable vocals of an antiquated delta blues singer, and garnished by startling talent of the harmonica player Rik, not forgetting the stomp of Buch Muck Buckley's big old bass guitar and the phantom like talents of G Batowski, on organ, piano, guitar or whatever else he can find. Ernies Rhythm Section are a band who breathe foot-stomping blues, par excellence." - Johnny McDevitt, student-direct magazine
Get On The Mailing List for latest news click here!
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www.myspace.com/coalhousewalker Saturday Evening - White Swan |
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Raw and Live and that's h This four-piece band comprises of Harmonica, Piano, Guitar and Drums, providing a distinctive sound as the energy releases and the blues rhythms capture the audience. Stuart Webb (vocals, harmonica) played with Big Moose Walker and Luther 'Guitar Junior' Johnson before forming his own band Mississippi Rhythm Method and playing regularly at London's Station Tavern. Now with the reformed Coalhouse fronting out the band with powerful soul and love for the blues.
Mick Simmons (drums) not only provides the powerhouse for the band but generates huge enthusiasm too! With 20 years of experience and regulars at the famous Ain't Nothin' But... blues bar in Soho, London you can expect an awesome experience.
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we like it! The Coalhouse Walker Blues Band recreates the distinctive
Chicago blues of the 1940s to 1970s, topped with foot-stomping Boogie Woogie
piano. 
Richie Biggs (piano) is foremost a Boogie Woogie pianist of 20 years
experience and incorporates blues in his style beautifully. His solid and
consistent boogie bass lines replace
upright or electric bass and give Coalhouse their distinctive sound.
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CHRIS COLLINS & BLUES ETC with HUGH BUDDEN and STEVE DARRINGTON Sunday Evening - Grand Hotel |
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He has toured Europe and the UK with Bob and backed or supported numerous visiting American Blues Artists including Billy Boy Arnold, Sonny Rhodes, Magic Slim, John Primer and Koko Taylor. Chris is joined by his band, Blues Etc, which consists of some of the finest musicians in the South. Depending on the venue, the line up can include Hugh Budden (ex- Producers) on Harp, Darren Stevens on Bass, Steve Faithful, Mark Richards, Elrad Matthews on Drums and others. Their main influences are Chicago and, West Coast Blues, but they can turn their hand to some Soul or Rock 'n' Roll if required. Many of the songs are written by Chris, quite often with some risqué lyrics!!! One of his songs being recorded by Chicago based Alligator Records recording artist C.J. Chenier, on his release, "The Big Squeeze". They have played all types of venues, from small, laid back trio gigs to festival stages and have travelled as far as Switzerland and The Falkland Islands!! |
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Chris
Collins has been playing 'The Real Deal' since joining Southampton Blues
Legend Bob Pearce in 1993.
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Friday Evening - Black Swan Saturday Evening - Black Swan
It may all have been said before about Will, and his fans will know what to expect, but for the uninitiated, you will be dazzled by a brilliant mix of Elmore James/Robert Johnson and Bob Dylan and more, by simply stunning guitarist. Irish acoustic blues player with totally unique style. Celtic roots mixed with American blues. You can expect songs from early blues standards through to Dylan classics delivered with inimitable percussive guitar and whirling vocals. He's also considered to be one of the foremost slide guitar players in Europe today. Will Killeen was born in Mayo, Ireland. He taught himself guitar from the age of 10 then, influenced by Howlin' Wolf, Doc Watson, The Pretty Things, Robert Johnson, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones to name a few. Soon he was performing around London and once replaced Rory Gallagher when Taste was formed. Will's unique-Blues guitar style shows influences from a mixture of Country, Celtic, Eastern and Rock music. He plays regularly at countless venues and festivals around London and the rest of England, in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy, Germany and the United States. Wherever he plays, he amazes audiences with his own compositions and new arrangements of traditional songs. |
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A dazzling player with a huge repertoire of songs, Will is a walking blues
history manual, taking you on a journey from Robert Johnson and Elmore
James through to an unlikely but brilliant version of "Duelling Banjos" -
all on one acoustic guitar! 
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Friday Evening - The Ship Inn |
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He has also played with some of the top players in the country such as Paddy Milner, Ben Waters, Collin John (USA) and Robbie McIntosh, to name but a few. On a small tour of the club scene in Austin Texas he cut teeth with some of the top local players, he then moved on to Chicago and met up with the legendary Buddy Guy. Dan's main concern now is the playing and the promotion of Motel 6.
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Dan Anderson - Guitar/Vocals. Dan has been on the music scene since
the age of fourteen, playing in various bards such as Pack M Up, Triple Rock
and Custers Last Blues Band. He has also played many festivals and is also
highly regarded on the dep. scene.
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Chris Page - Drums/Vocals. Chris has been a professional drummer since leaving school, playing in bands and freelancing for numerous acts of diverse styles (Psychedelic-punk to shows and cabaret). He has played all over the world with some of the finest musicians and professional acts in the business. Chris has vast experience in both studio and live recordings and can list many live albums and radio sessions, along with several TV appearances. He has toured the USA, Middle East and Scandinavia several times over and has had many European engagements, including Spain, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, Italy and Ireland. Chris has also played in many of the most prestigious and famous venues including 'The Whisky A Go-Go' (LA), CB-GBS, The Cat Club, Limelight (New York), The Good Morning Club (Paris), 100 Club, The Marquee, etc. Festivals include Cork Jazz and Blues Festival, Wembley Country Festival, Glastonbury, The More Blues Festival. Acts include Max D Barnes (7 US country no. 1's), Albert Lee - Tammy Jones (UK no. 1), Ricky Valance - Steve Simpson (Meal Ticket), Bernard Manning, Roy Chubby Brown, Rocket 88, Diz Watson, Robbie McIntosh (P. McCartney, Pretenders), Big Bill Morganfield (Muddy Waters' son) Eddie Kirkland (John Lee Hooker), Phil Guy (USA), Jack Johnson & The Oilers (USA), Colin John Band (USA), Ben Waters, Paul Howard and Tender Trap, Orange, The Little Angels and Kevin McDermott. Laurie Higgins - Bass. Laurie has been playing bass for 15 years, having studied jazz under such luminaries as Steve Berry (Loose Tubes) and Nikki Iles. He plays in a variety of bands in many musical styles, including Lightning Head (a samba/ reggae band that has just finished rocking top London venues like Cargo and The Vibe Bar). A versatile musician, Laurie is equally at home alongside top jazzmen like Tony Roberts as well as blues men like Big Bill Morganfield, Paddy Milner and Colin John. Laurie has performed at many top UK festivals including Glastonbury and The Big Chill, as well as occasional tours of Europe including France, Portugal and Italy. His first love will always be jazz and blues, and Motel 6 is one of the most electrifying bands he has been involved in for sheer musical excitement. Tom Hughes - Hammond B3. Tom Hughes has been playing for 23 years and his main instrument is the Hammond organ. He also plays accordion, guitar and sings. Tom is a member of originals band, The Lucky Bishops who started in 1994 and who have had 2 self produced albums released and are completing a 3rd. They play their own unique brand of short psych pop songs with vocal harmonies. The band have played many gigs and festivals notably several Terrastock festivals in London and Boston as well as the SXSW festival in Austin, TX, gigs in New York -CBGBs and The Knitting Factory, plus a short tour of Germany and a recent appearance at the Felipop festival in Spain. Tom is also a member of Dorset group, Gothic Chicken - "Hot psychedelia played by cold professionals." They play lots of obscure and not so obscure songs by the likes of The Association, Blossom Toes, Soft Machine, The Zombies etc. Tom does lots of gigs with local group, The Sidekicks, a popular covers band who can be found jamming songs they've not necessarily played before in many local pubs. In 2003, Tom toured Spain with Phil Guy (blues legend Buddy's brother) and fellow band mate, Chris Page and guitarist, Colin John. In 2004 Tom joined progressive rock group, Nektar, touring all over America. He recently played with them in Germany and appeared on German TV show, Rockpalast. (!!!!) In his spare time, Tom records other local bands as well as his own Grant Day – Guitar. Grant has been playing guitar for almost 28 years and studied and acquired a diploma in jazz. Grant has been a guitar tutor for many years, teaching all styles to adults and children around his home county of Dorset, The Strat wielder has trodden the boards all around the UK with bands such as Contraband and Flared Up, and sessioned for many songwriters and artists who require his services. Grant depped for the awesome Glen Smith with Motel 6 and is now a very happy, fully fledged member of the band following Glen's departure. "Filling Glen's shoes has been an enormous task but I hope I can contribute a different edge to the band's sound," he said. After being offered a tour of the States with his band Bottle Up And Go in 1987 (declined due to family commitments), Grant decided to hone his style with a huge array of local bands and artists in Weymouth, Dorset, and shared the stage with many successful musicians including Robbie Macintosh, Chris Lonergan and Ade Millward. Grant's first love is the blues and admits to being "ecstatic" after being invited to join Motel 6. |
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Saturday Evening - White Horse |
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The new album from The MUSTANGS, regarded by many as the UK’s most exciting blues rock band, was released worldwide on June 9th. Entitled NOTHING STAYS THE SAME, the album is The Band’s second release under BLUESMATTERS, the UK’s biggest dedicated blues label. NOTHING STAYS THE SAME has 13 brand new, original Mustangs songs, showcasing The Band’s ability to mix a range of blues inspired styles on one album, yet maintain a sound and voice that is all their own. THE MUSTANGS' unique brand of blues rock is cut from a different stone than other blues bands: combining the edge and tight punch of traditional r’n’b with a more melodic and lyrical slant, the four-piece Hampshire based band sounds like no other. NOTHING STAYS THE SAME is their strongest album yet, with the title track and opener Put Your Money On Me typical of The Band’s punchy blues rock. Ballads such as live favourite Good Luck Girl and Long Distance Line further highlight The Band’s diversity and dedicated craftmanship to songwriting. BLUESMATTERS label chief Alan ‘D’ Pearce said: “Entertainment, quality of musicianship and songwriting craft - The Mustangs are a band that can get a crowd up on their feet or enthrall a sitting audience and that is a great combination to have in your musical armoury”. The Band’s previous album, Split Decision, was universally acclaimed as an essential blues rock album, and reached number 5 on the iTunes blues chart on release. The Band’s first two albums, Let it Roll and Rocking Horse, were released on their own label, Raging Horse. Both spent more than 2 years on the CD-Wow unsigned Top 10 chart and gained rave reviews in the blues press, with some writers hailing The Band as the country’s brightest new blues talent. NOTHING STAYS THE SAME is distributed nationwide by Proper Distribution, the largest independent distributor in the UK. It is available in all good record shops as well as on iTunes, Tune Tribe.com and Amazon.so.uk, Tesco.com. Asda.com, Play.com and HMV.co.uk The Mustangs formed in Hampshire in 2001, and are now based in South London. Led by the stunning voice of charismatic singer/guitarist Adam Norsworthy, The Mustangs have forged a reputation as one of the best live bands in the country. The rhythm section of Jon Bartley (drums) and Ben McKeown (bass) is regarded as one of the tightest around. The line-up is completed by veteran Derek Kingaby on blues harp. The King Bee cut his teeth playing harp on the blues circuit in London in the late 60s, alongside rhythm and blues bands such as The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds amongst many others. The Mustangs first made an impact on the UK Blues scene by winning the Eel Pie Club's search for new talent in 2004. Since then they have been invited to play at the famous Guildford Festival and have starred at high profile Blues festivals all over the UK including Colne, Hyde Park, Blues At The Fort, Swanage, Skegness, Farnham Maltings and Sinah Warren, amongst many others. “In a genre so dominated by predictable cover bands, the Mustangs have broken free from the 12-bar rut to deliver an accessible all-original album of musical depth, where sheer balls is tempered by plenty of heart and soul” Record Collector review of Nothing Stays The Same “Split Decision is a compulsory purchase for British Blues Rock fans” – Musician Magazine. "Let It Roll perfectly showcases the Mustang’s ear for a good hook and blistering musicianship" Music Eye Magazine "The Mustangs press all the right buttons…and have quality songs in abundance. Traditional hi-octane blues with a modern twist." Gigbase Magazine "Those that like to dance will be well pleased with the Mustangs, those that like to sit and listen will enjoy, in fact this band have something for everyone no matter how you like your Blues. Glorious!" Blues Matters Magazine "Performing a selection of blues tunes it’s easy to see why they were voted best band of the year in respected music magazine GigBase.Frontman Adam Norsworthy draws his charismatic voice from some dark corner of his soul, and presumably rips his dynamic guitar mayhem from the same scary place" Blue Matters Website "The Mustangs stand out. It is obvious these guys have their own agenda" Surrey Comet "Good music, a tight band, a real desire to please the audience and a fabulous frontman! There are very few frontmen around who can combine a great voice and guitar-playing with a high energy stage performance, natural charisma and good looks!" Monica Madgewick, Boogaloo Blues "Ass-kicking" Blues Pilot Radio "The tightest blues band in the UK" CD-Wow "One of the most exciting blues bands in the UK today" AND Magazine "The Mustangs are the top south coast blues band" Petersfield Post "The Mustangs have a growing reputation – time to investigate" Blues In Britain Magazine “If you want a band that gets people up and dancing, the Mustangs are it” – Blues in Britain Magazine
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Saturday Afternoon - White Swan Saturday Evening - Anchor Inn |
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From 1995 to 2003, Slim fronted The Swamp Things to flesh
out his vision and reworkin The Swamp Things played with a host of blues luminaries including The Blues Band, American harmonica wizard Johnny Mars (whom they backed on a TV show) and Andre Williams, writer of ‘Dark End Of The Street’. They also played the European circuit from the Czech Republic to Germany, France, Holland and Belgium as well as doing many blues weekenders on these shores. Slim is a well-travelled man and his music has also traversed the radio waves in US as well as on Paul Jones' Radio 2 show. The bulk of his material harks to that Delta/New Orleans style to which he pertains. In 2004 he released two albums ‘Standing On The Banks Of The Mighty Blues’ and ‘Dust Bowl Soup’. The new album `The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea’, with his new band The Backbones, was released in December 2005 and showcases his love of Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and Captain Beefheart. Recent converts to his latest material are Paul Rodgers (ex Free), Rick Parfitt (Status Quo) and comedian Jack Dee, who have all bought his CDs.
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Friday Evening - Crow's Nest Inn Saturday Afternoon - Grand Hotel Saturday Evening - Barking Frog |
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Jazz, Blues, Folk, Ragtime, Calypso, Baroque and Bluegrass all get treated to his blistering fingerstyle technique and become playgrounds for his lightening improvisational skills. Rated as one of the UK`s finest guitarists he has gained a national reputation not only as a phenomenal player but also as a teacher and story teller. Regularly receiving standing ovations at top international Jazz, Blues and Folk Festivals, few musicians appeal to such a wide audience which is testament not only to his outstanding musicianship but also for being genuinely entertaining. Having rediscovered his love of the acoustic guitar in 1999, he has gained international recognition for his unique arrangements and dazzling playing which resulted in 2005 by him being hand-picked by Bob Taylor to represent Taylor Guitars in the UK. Pete is now ambassador for Larrivee Guitars and Acoustic Guitar Clinician / Product Specialist for Sound Technology Plc. |
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of blues standards and obscurities. During a busy few years and many
personnel changes, The Swamps released impressive albums including
‘Catfish Row’ and ‘In The Doghouse’.
Thirty five years playing experience has made Pete Smith an extremely
versatile and accomplished musician. 
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Friday Evening - Red Lion Saturday Afternoon - Anchor Inn “Classic material and excellent musicians, they start off with the energy most bands aspire to at the end!” |
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Together they offer a compelling mix of R&B ranging from Little Walter's harp style to the more rocky side of Chuck Berry. These good old Essex boys have established a brilliant reputation at festivals such as Banbury Blues Festival, the Great British Rhythm 'n Blues Festival, Monmouth Festival, Cromer Folk Festival, Broadstairs Folk Week, Upton-upon-Severn Blues Festival, Barnard Castle Festival, More Blues Festival (Belgium), and Boogaloo Blues Weekends. “Classic material and excellent musicians, they start off with the energy most bands aspire to at the end!”
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Brilliant
guitar and harmonica duo featuring Jeff Chapman, ex-Wilko Johnson sideman
and frontman for The Roosters, and Al E Bye from R&B band AM5. |
Friday Evening - Moonlight Bistro (some reservations available) Saturday Evening - Moonlight Bistro (fully booked) Sunday Afternoon - Grand Hotel |
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His albums, including “The Corner Seat” and latest release “The Best Of Days” on Free Spirit Records, receive radio play on BBC Radio 2 and many commercial stations throughout the UK and US. Numerous live sessions on The Paul Jones and Johnnie Walker Shows help to reach a wider audience. Sonny's CD “Heart and Soul” met with critical acclaim from US major publications Living Blues and Blues Revue, and was made album of the year by the UK's Blues In Britain magazine. The readers of Blues in Britain magazine voted Sonny Black guitarist of the year in 2002. Sonny performs with Chris Belshaw on bass and on occasion with fiddle player, drummer and mandolinist. Recent performances have included The Brecon Jazz Festival (Wales), Bardies Blues Festival (France), Farnham Blues Festival, Crawley Acoustic Festival and Swanage Blues Festival as well as regular appearances at clubs and arts centres. See www.sonnyblack.co.uk and www.smallplanetmusic.com for more information. Reviews: “If the blues is indeed a feeling, then Sonny Black's guitar conveys that feeling better than most.” Blues Revue-USA "Heart and Soul - the Blueprint album of the year" Fran Leslie Editor Blues In Britain Magazine "An outstanding artist." Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2 “A Sonny Black performance takes you from the Delta to the borders of jazz and back again” Blues On Stage “A quiet treasure…relaxed, uplifting almost spiritual” Blues Revue USA "There is no one to touch him in this country for wringing true emotion out of his instrument. His technical mastery of acoustic and electric instruments is complete...he possesses that quality that can only be called blues soul." Blues In Britain “One of the most inspired, thinking guitarists in the UK”. Red Lick Records "Sonny got everybody settled with an instrumental, a slide guitar conversation that caused rapturous applause at the end” Blues in Britain/Farnham Festival Review “Ragtime, jazz standards, all sorts flowed effortlessly and the enraptured crowd of 300 or so were so quiet you could have heard a plectrum drop.” Swanage Festival Review”Top drawer" Time Out “You could not have hoped for a better night of guitar roots and blues tunes” Venue Magazine“…and if Sonny Black is playing near you solo, duo or with a band, do yourself a favour, go and see something very special” Phoenix FM |
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In
concert he performs a wide variety of exquisite and intimate
fingerstyle acoustic and slide guitar instrumentals with influences
from Blues, World Music, Soul, Country and Jazz.
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Friday Evening - Purbeck pub Saturday Evening - Purbeck pub |
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Wow! A one-man blues explosion with a big, powerful sound of hard-hitting and danceable up-tempo blues. John plays slide or bottleneck style on a 1930s National Steel Guitar with fantastic harmonica and thumping stomp box to provide a driving rhythm. If you like John's influences - Howlin' Wolf, Bukka White, John Lee Hooker and Ry Cooder - you'll really enjoy John! He has recently played in Florida, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Czech Republic, Poland, France and Slovakia, and is booked for a tour of Tasmania, New Zealand and Australia. "Stomping and unstoppable ... like a runaway train ... an act well worth watching " Blues in Britain "You can practically fry eggs on the man as he radiates energy into the room. His gravel-gargling voice is a perfect compliment to his 1930's National steel guitar, harmonica and footboard. The sound he produces has astonishing depth" Bill Grainger, Beaford Arts "Crampton plays heavy blues in a kind of Tom Waits/ John Hammond vibe ... a wonderful singer and guitarist ... really cooking!" Michael Messer "One of the UK's top acoustic slide and steel guitarists" Hookers Blues Club "Stunning blues voice ... he blew me away!" Blues in Britain "Crampton creates a big and powerful sound which gets your feet tapping, your body dancing and your heart singing ... everyone was blown away" Ashwyn Smyth, Digital Blues "John's incredible, he takes to the stage with nothing more than a National Steel guitar, a harp and miked up stomp box and then lets rip." The Spitz, London |
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Friday Afternoon - Open Mic at the Red Lion, featured at 4.30pm approx Saturday Afternoon - Open Mic at the Black Swan
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 Andrew’s skill at conveying the sound and the spirit of the old acoustic blues has drawn gasps of admiration wherever he plays. Whether it’s the Son House/Charley Patton slide style (played on an authentic 1929 National) or the melodic finger picking style of players like Willie McTell and Robert Johnson (on his 1918 Gibson). But his range is broader: the “hokum” songs from Bill Broonzy and Memphis Jug Band can be heard alongside the likes of Hoagy Carmichael and even the soul classics of Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson. He even includes The Who and some reggae in his set! As well as playing solo gigs (including spots alongside such greats as Michael Chapman, Pete Brown and Otis Taylor), Andrew appears regularly as a member of the popular trio Barrelhouse Blues.
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Friday Afternoon - Open Mic at the Red Lion Friday Evening - Barking Frog with Martin Froud Saturday Afternoon - Open Mic at the Red Lion Sunday Afternoon - Open Mic at the Red Lion "Fiery and Fluent" and The Man In Charge of the Open Mic Sessions with Martin Froud |
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Jim's performances are rich in history - story songs gathered from the wealth of pre-second world war country blues and beyond, with the occasional original thrown in. Add to this warmth and humour, and it promises great entertainment! A respected festival organiser in his own right, Jim is hosting our Open Mic sessions every afternoon over the weekend, and will be making guest appearances in the evenings.
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Friday Evening - Royal Oak |
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A relatively new band of local musicians with a long pedigree. Bassist and singer Tommy Marsh is widely known for his musicianship, which spans over 50 years! Credits include The Grasshoppers, Sapphires, T-Birds, Martin Johnson Band, with the late lamented Captain Boogie himself, John Falcon, and the now defunct Arecibo Blues House that graced Bishopstock and many a Swanage Blues Festival. Also in Arecibo was Coast's drummer Nick Hennessy, whose history includes The Swamp Band, Graham Mack's Blues Band, and appearing at The Marquee with Sting's musicians. Completing this trio and new to the band scene is Terry C on keyboards and guitar. All three members sing, and the music could be described as ideal for those who like light blues and a whole lot more!
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Friday evening - Anchor Inn |
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C Sharp Blues is comprised of four like-minded souls dedicated to the art of the blues, but with a funky/rock retake on the genre. Seminal material from Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Albert King, B B King, T-Bone Walker et al is mixed with coruscatingly-compelling original material. Mike Biggs (guitar, vocals) has been in the forefront of the UK’s remarkably healthy blues/r&b scene for a couple of decades now. His powerful vocals and earthy guitar work has been the signature of bands such as C Sharp, Red Rooster, Time Out and many more. Smudge Smith (guitar, piano) is blessed with a ferocious blues guitar sound and a remarkable skill as a boogie piano player. He was a mainstay of the Ben Waters Band for many years, when a major feature of the band’s live shows was his four-hand piano duets with Ben, the acknowledged master of boogie-woogie in the UK. Chris Lonergan (bass) played alongside Ben Waters and Smudge for many years as the band toured the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, Canada and Africa, playing at major gigs (Ronnie Scott’s, 100 Club, Royal Festival Hall, Albert Hall etc) and festivals (Glastonbury, Cork Jazz Festival and many more). He’s also been seen onstage alongside the likes of David Gilmour, Gary Brooker, John Etheridge, Mick Taylor, Andy Sheppard and the like. Paul Fancy (drums, percussion) first came to prominence with John Peel favourites The Martian Schoolgirls in the 1980’s and has been touring constantly since, from English stately homes to the Victoria Falls in Zambia. Paul’s funk-orientated approach to the blues is a major factor in C Sharp’s unique sound. You will witness a take on the blues that has its soul in the Mississippi Delta, while its sound is firmly planted in the 21st Century
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Saturday Afternoon - Bankes Arms Hotel, Corfe Castle Saturday Evening - Red Lion |
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The Fabulous Fezheads are England's Premier Sand Dance Vaudevillian Illusionists carrying on in the tradition of Old 'Blind Ned' Cleggett with his famous stage act of the 1920's and 30's, and actually starring his Great-Grandson Pete 'the Flying' Cleggett . Under the watchful eye of Father Ken and featuring Keith the Camel, the Fabulous Fezheads blend a mixture of Dance, Danger and Music that will Astound, Astonish and Amuse
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Jim
Tigwell is a folk/blues musician who started his career during the folk
music boom of the early 1970's. He is well known for that raggy fingerstyle,
using what the Rev' Gary Davis described as the "sportin' thumb"',
and developed by people like Blind Blake, Mississippi John Hurt and Gary
Davis himself, amongst others. 
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Saturday Afternoon - Crow's Nest Inn |
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Ian Hunt is regarded as one of the finest male rock vocalists in the UK. His vocal and guitar style are much in demand from the large advertising corporations such as Nescafe, Rover, Bounty, Rock Circus, National Express, Suchard, American Express, Cadbury’s and numerous others. Ian currently divides his musical works between live gigs in and around London and hosting a guitar class and a Jam Night/Open Night.
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Friday Evening - White Swan |
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Maybe it’s the way that he blends his influences seamlessly in a true pan-roots fusion - crossing boundaries at whim, mixing it up with folkies, jazzers, rappers, mountain pickers and cold eyed hard delta groovesters, yet always retaining his own unique style, imprinting everything he does with his particular vision. Maybe it’s his voice, spookily soulful, ranging from rumbling baritone to keen falsetto; or his guitar playing, stroked, strummed, slapped, picked and whipped into a landscape of tones, textures, arpeggios and melodies; or perhaps it’s because, quite simply, he is the real deal. © Palmer Eldrich 1996
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So what is it that makes Chris Scott so special? Maybe it’s because he's
been to the edge so many times and has always returned in good enough
shape to tell us about it. Maybe it’s the raw emotion he displays whilst
playing, eyes closed, sinking trance - like into a place where he can
access the true tone of the song. |
Saturday Afternoon - Open Mic at the Red Lion, featured at 4.30pm approx |
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Bob Long & Keith Miller is an acoustic blues duo (vocals, guitar, harmonica) just coming up to 40 years old! These guys started playing the blues together back in the 1960s and today their music, mostly country blues, jugband and ragtime, is tighter and brighter than ever! Over the years Bob and Keith have, in addition to their duo performances, played separately, solo and in various bands and with many other blues musicians including Dave Kelly, Mississippi Bill Abel and Charley Taylor Jnr. Bob, a frequent visitor to Mississippi where he will appear on November 1 at The Hambones Festival in Clarksdale MS, sings with a mellow restraint combined with soulful feeling. His guitar playing ranges over a variety of styles and is influenced by RL Burnside, Charley Patton, Muddy Waters and others. Keith's harp playing is precise and exciting. "Keith's harmonicastry is inventive, sympathetic and fitting" (Blues In Britain). Their recently released album, I Wonder To Myself has won much critical acclaim and a percentage of the sales is dedicated to The Tommy Johnson Blues Foundation, which is raising funds to re-open to the public the graveyard in Warm Springs, Mississippi where Tommy was buried in 1957.
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Sunday Afternoon - Anchor Inn |
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Jim Reynolds is a guitarist and singer who writes and plays an eclectic mix of music. The individual pieces tap into blues, ragtime, rhythm and blues, music hall and folk traditions. Some are extremely sensitive songs about life, people and relationships, while others are tongue in cheek. His albums are also sprinkled with classics from the likes of J.J. Cale, Nick Drake, John Martyn, Roy Orbison, the Inkspots, Jelly Roll Morton and Jimmy Rogers. Having played abroad and in the U.K., especially in Bristol, the South West, Wales, the Midlands and recently the South East, at clubs, pubs and festivals, he has honed his singing and playing, creating a rich and cohesive sound. His finely crafted songs and guitar are a pleasure to listen to and live performances are always memorable. Despite the rarity of 'happy' tunes, the wry observations and descriptions of peoples' experience are somehow uplifting, delivering a sense of humanity and intimacy. Jim has performed with many respected icons of the present day folk circuit, including: Steve Tilston, Maggie Boyle, Mike Silver, Wizz Jones, Isaac Guillory, Chris Newman, Phil Beer and George Melly. Not forgetting the Pigsty Hill Light Orchestra and the ever-popular Smile.
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Friday Afternoon - Open Mic at the Red Lion. featured at 3.00 pm approx |
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Mike Healey and Paul Rowlands play guitar-based contemporary blues songs with Mike's rhythmic finger picking and Paul's fluid accompaniment
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Saturday Afternoon - Open Mic at the Red Lion, featured at 3.00 pm approx |
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Confused Blues have been playing together for a mere 2 years but are a regular sight busking along Swanage seafront during the various music festivals throughout the year. The band comprises Oliver Cullimore (13yrs) who plays keyboard and percussion, Louis Alberry (14 yrs) who plays lead and rhythm guitar, Jack Cullimore (also 14yrs) who plays fiddle, keyboards and percussion, and Michael Alberry (16yrs) who plays guitar, blues harp, percussion and lead vocals. Catch this band as they busk around Swanage and also play in the open mic sessions over the festival weekend. |
Confused
Blues are a local band comprised of two pairs of teenage brothers and they
play an eclectic concoction of blues, rock n roll and gypsy jazz. With a
mixture of both well known classics and fluent improvisations, they will
set your feet tapping.|
Various guest appearances, Open Mic on occasions Sunday Evening 8.30-10.30pm with Chris Collins & Blues Etc featuring Hugh Budden "Catch him if you can!" - Blues In Britain |
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Festival Organiser
Steve Darrington was the house pianist and For over 40 years he has played piano with artists as diverse as Lonnie Donegan, Marty Wilde, Don Everly, Albert Lee, Brewers Droop, Roxon Roadshow, The Boogie Band, Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup, The Mighty Flea, Billy Boy Arnold, and on over 50 albums. Steve came to Swanage for two days in 2000, and never left! Nowadays he occasionally performs solo and sits in with different bands. For further information, see www.stevedarrington.com (and yes, the photo was taken recently!)
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harmonica player at the legendary Blues Loft, Nags Head, High Wycombe in
the 60s and 70s when it played host to many visiting American Bluesmen
and rock bands. ("Too many to mention here!")