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The Eighth Swanage Blues Festival ADMISSION POLICY Admission is free to customers at all venues, except restaurants where conditions apply. OFFICIAL COLLECTIONS The festival is organised by Steve Darrington, a disabled musician who gave up touring due to an accident. He organises the festival at his own expense. So please give as much as possible when the Official Collectors come round, so he can afford to do it again!
Get on the Mailing List for latest info! click here
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS here
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Saturday evening 10pm - White Horse
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The Guv'nors 20th Year Tour continues! Led by Bluesmaster Robert Hokum on guitar and vocals, this seven piece outfit plays the blues with psychedelic funk, acid jazz and Latin grooves. Every year they headline the Ealing Festival’s summer party in the park to audiences in excess of 20,000. STOP PRESS Latest Reviews ...unique take on the Blues... their fusion of funk with Blues and Latin rhythms and huge percussion workouts is, for me, highly entertaining, very complex in many respects and very skilfully done. Ashwyn Smyth / Blues Matters & Digital Blues FM (review of The Guv’nors at Boogaloo Festival, 13 Nov 2005) ...a very soulful, grooving, enthusiastic amalgamation of funky, latin influenced Sax/Guitar led Blues. Hot stuff! Highly Commendable! Brian Harman / Blues in the South (Review of Guv’nors CD ‘Kickin’ It Back’ Jan 2006) Not the usual Brit-blues... but this is certainly a refreshingly different approach from a home-grown act. If you catch them at a Festival or show, just make sure you’ve bought your dancing shoes along. Norman Darwen / Blues & Rhythm (Review of Guv’nors CD ‘Kickin it Back’ Feb 2006) ‘Kickin’ it Back’ was my first acquaintance with the Guv’nors and turned out to be a very good one. The album is packed full of songs made for dancing... The band are very tight... fresh and vibrant. Gordon Baxter / Blues in Britain (Review of Guv’nors CD ‘Kickin it Back’ Feb 2006) |
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Friday evening 9pm - 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! 
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS here
JON WALSH BLUES BAND |
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Saturday evening 9pm - Ship Inn
What a great pleasure to have this
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! |
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wonderful
band again!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS here
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Saturday evening 8.30pm - Grand Hotel “Alison Moyet meets Tina Turner” “Powerful and Passionate Vocals, Dynamic Rockin’ Rhythm ‘n Blues” "Rocking Rhythm & Blues from BB King to Guns & Roses plus some great originals" Debbie (Lead vocals): began her musical career as a blues singer, travelling the length and breadth of the UK with a number of ‘Big Bands’ ranging in style from jazz, country and popular music whilst training for classical and opera. Moving on to West End Stage Jesus Christ Superstar at the Palace Theatre, Hello Dolly with Carol Channing at Drury Lane playing the second lead role of Mrs Molloy and The Streets Of London at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket. With her powerful style and passionate blues renditions her main influences have not only been from the great Bonnie Raitt, Eva Cassidy, Aretha and Ella but also Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King and Otis Redding! Phil Head-Smith (Lead guitar): although renowned for his hard-rocking style, started playing in ‘77 with west country giants The Heat and was then asked to join the original Street Circus and Fat Larry’s Band working with Crystal Gale, Box Car Willie and other American Country artists. ‘85 – Phil fronted Fluke producing two albums (SMP World Wide Records) charting across Europe hitting no 2 in the Belgium album charts. Phil continued to play with bands and sessions in the UK until he found The One Eyed Bishops ‘ based in New Jersey. The line-up included Mike Burrow, Jay Adcock and Dan Tilbury (Fluke, UK Snakes ) and recorded the album ‘School Of Rock ‘n’ Roll’. ‘‘Heads" is responsible for the band’s outstanding original material. Paul Blount (Keyboards): has a range of styles (although he likes to think of himself as a “Dr John”) from acid jazz, soul and rhythm and blues having played with Mickey Waller (ex Rod Stewart – Jeff Beck).and local bands that include: Midnight Blue, Funkjunkies, Fastrack, Redzone, and Spoonful.
Baz Payne (Bass): has been playing in rock and
blues bands in and around London since the late sixties, and has
played with and supported a number of name bands. During the early
1980s, Baz left he UK to spend some time playing in Germany,
entertaining the troops and military bases around Frankfurt and
later, working in clubs around Munich and Garmisch. He played with
Charlie Hart (of Ronnie Lane’s band ‘Slim Chance’) and the Fake
Faces at the Ronnie Lane tribute show at the Ruskin Arms in 1997 and
in 1998 the Faces Convention with the Band Stone Cold Sober. The band is at present unsigned. For gig schedule and original tracks visit www.myspace.com/debbiegilesband |
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS here
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If you manage to see only one gig this weekend, make sure this is it! |
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Friday evening 9pm - Swanage Bay View
Listen to what the organiser of the famous Bottleneck Blues Club in Kent said: "Storm Warning presented a beautifully crafted set, weaving an intoxicating mix of the traditional with jazzier and rockier elements to keep the head in designing this set of, principally, original material and this fresh approach, expertly executed by a great team of musicians, was more than appreciated by the members!" Well, he was happy, wasn't he?! A solid and hard working blues-based outfit with some very contemporary and original numbers, featuring bass, drums, guitar, harmonica, piano and organ. They have played many festivals and been guests on Paul Jones’ Radio 2 show. Storm Warning is a band of five diverse influences that happen to make distinctive, exciting music. The blues are the heart of the sound, but the blues is a form that changes its shape and character to suit whoever is playing it. So, like all musicians who take their blues seriously, Storm Warning has a unique sound, but one that seems to have a wide appeal. |
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Friday evening 9pm - Barking Frog |
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"Blues, funk, soul, rock, reggae and jazz" 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 have 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 bands 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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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS here
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Friday evening 10pm - White Horse
With the release of their
last album, Split Decision, the Mustangs underlined their position A Mustangs stage show is like no other, with the tireless energy and huge voice of lead singer Adam Norsworthy the focal point around which they build their shows. The band is regarded as one of the tightest in the country, playing Mustangs originals alongside barnstorming re-workings of classic blues songs. The four-piece Hampshire based band formed in 2001. Guitarist and singer Adam, already a young 'veteran' of live performing, joined forces with harp player Derek Kingaby. Augmented by the dynamic drumming of Jon Bartley and the rock solid bass of Ben Mckeown, the band cut its teeth in the many music pubs and clubs on England's south coast, but has also played famous venues and festivals such as Hyde Park, The Hackney Empire, Colne Blues Festival, Boogaloo Blues Festival, Blues at the Fort, Eel Pie's Bluesquest, Swanage Blues Festival, Southsea's Blues at the Pier, the International Festival of the Sea, The South Coast HOG and many others. Official recognition of The Band’s growing stature has come in many shapes and forms. They were voted band of the year in the respected music magazine Gigbase. They were chosen from more than 500 bands to play at Guilfest and have also won the famous Eel Pie Blues Club's Bluesquest competition for new talent. They have made three celebrated albums of entirely original material – Split Decision, Rocking Horse and Let it Roll. Split Decision is the band’s latest album, released on Blues Matters, the UK’s largest dedicated blues record label, it reached number 5 on the international i-Tunes blues chart, and continues to sell well on Amazon. The two previous albums were released on the band’s own label and have been in the CD-Wow Unsigned top 10 for over three years. Typical of the band’s original output, Split Decision sees the band exploring the blues its many forms. Whether you want simmering, sultry blues ballads or high temp blues rock, the Mustangs deliver. Diverse songs such as the funky Can’t Find A Lover, the rip-roaring Put The Lights Back On and the stunning ballad Blue Dawn Rising are already live favourites. The band has a new album due out in the Autumn. For more information on the Mustangs please visit www.themustangs.co.uk “Entertainment, more quality of musicianship and songwriting craft - . The Mustangs are a band that can get a crowd up on their feet or enthral a sitting audience and that is a great combination to have in your musical armoury”. BLUESMATTERS label chief Alan ‘D’Pearce "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 Madgwick, 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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as one of the best and most exciting original blues rock bands in the UK
today. Their blistering, high energy live sets, have quickly grown them a
reputation as one of the very best live bands in England. 
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS here
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Saturday evening 9pm - White Swan
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. Ryan Lamb (guitar) is a natural player with great inner feeling expressed in his music - guaranteed to bare his soul through his music at every gig. Ryan joined Coalhouse a year ago and gelled instantly. Ryan has been playing guitar all his life, encouraged by his father, the internationally renowned Paul Lamb of Paul Lamb and the King Snakes fame. Very experienced at mixing and playing with blues legends enabled his own style to flourish early on.
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.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS here
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Friday evening 8.30pm - Grand Hotel Saturday afternoon 1-4pm - Bankes Arms Hotel, Corfe Castle Saturday evening 9pm - Crow's Nest Inn Photograph: Corin Messer/Daily Echo, Bournemouth |
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At the last 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. "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 "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 |
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS here
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Friday evening 9pm - Ship Inn
Dan Anderson - Guitar/Vocals.
Dan has been on the music scene 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. 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. 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 |
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.