Andy Grant Trio, Assorted Buskers, Back Porch, Blind Lemon Gliders, Blue Touch, Blues Machine, C Sharp Blues, Dan Sowerby Band, David Raphael Band, Fabulous Fezheads, F-Rock, Hugh Budden, Jam Sessions with Robin Bibi Band, Jason Manners & 3 Buck Shirt, Jawbreakers, Jay Tamkin, Johnny Sharp, Lewis Cohen, Milton-Farrow Skiffle 'n' Blues Band, Motel 6, Mustangs, Open Mic Sessions with Johnny Sharp and Martin Froud, Paint It Blue, Ray Drury, Riotous Brothers, Riverside Blues Band, Robin Bibi Band, Stan's Blues Jamboree, Steamer, Steve Darrington, The I.D.s, The Smokin' Benny Brown Band, Tommy Allen & Johnny Hewitt, Will Killeen, Zoe Schwarz and Blue Commotion,
Andy Grant Trio
Dates Playing: March 2013
Website: www.andygrant.net
After fleeing a job in a South African gold mine, Andy made ends meet playing original blues music on street corners from Melbourne to Copenhagen. Now residing in Dorset, he has earned a wide and loyal fan base, winning over audiences time and again with his original, rootsy mixture of Blues, Rock and Jazz. This award winning guitarist* mixes up soulful vocals with great tunes and mean fretboard skills.
Now joined by jazz punk double bass virtuoso Simon Rushbrook, and multi instrumentalist film composer Lee Miller on Drums, the Trio take their many influences and tear them up on improvisational renditions of Andy’s eclectic and original songs
Drawing comparisons with artists as diverse as J.J. Cale, Taj Mahal, Led Zeppelin and John Martyn, the band are at home entertaining festivals, bars and anywhere people gather together to hear great live music. Their clean acoustic sound provides the solid foundation for musical genre hopping. A heavy metal riff can morph into a bluegrass tune, and then into a jazz funk groove without ever jarring or feeling out of context.
The three musicians play with energy, passion and precision, always complementing each other and constantly striving to make each moment on stage special. By clocking upwards of 150 shows a year, Andy Grant Trio are becoming masters of their art: Good time blues music with great feel and no boundaries.
’Really excellent music’ Phil Jupitus, BBC TV’s Never Mind The Buzzcocks
’If you like strong singer/songwriters this is for you’ Blues Matters
’Laidback, earthy and grounded, Grant's soulful acoustic rock arrives fully formed, mature and ready for anyone........Great Stuff’ Musician
*’Best Overall Guitarist Yr 2000’ London’s Famous Guitar Institute
Assorted Buskers
Dates Playing: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Assorted Buskers will play at Swanage Railway Station and other venues around the town, dependent totally on the Good Will of the people of Swanage!
Buskers are requested to obtain a copy of The Rules from the festival organiser before playing anywhere. Thank you!
Back Porch
Dates Playing: under discussion
Website: www.backporch.org.uk
Back by Popular Demand!
Back Porch offers an unusual take on the blues with their mainly acoustic line-up. With their trademark foot stomping rhythms and a lot of laughter, they seem to be able to switch from humour to heartbreak in the blink of an eye.
Their all-original album, “Aint Lettin’ Go”, is receiving more and more radio airplay and their live shows remain an experience not to be missed.
This band will make you laugh, cry and tap your feet! After the Back Porch experience you’re sure to leave feeling better than when you arrived!
Blind Lemon Gliders
Dates Playing: March 2013
Website: www.blindlemongliders.co.uk/
The Blind Lemon Gliders write:
Abna Churchill (Vocals and Harmonica) found his love of Blues in Los Angeles in the 1980's when he supported such names as Kim Wilson of the fabulous Thunder Birds. On his return to the UK, he met....
Rory Benmore (Lead Guitar) is a suberb guitarist with a vibrant approach and authentic style, recently returned from Oklahoma where he backed some fantastic bands including Miss Blues and Speedy West Jr.
Tim Harrison (Keyboard) is one of the finest young musicians in Dorset (just 17!), and knows how to get the crowd on their feet with his Rock and Roll style. This young man is really going far with his Boogie Woogie skills. Watch out for him during the intervals, he plays some pretty mean solo piano!
Willie Bath - bass
Luke Kill (Drums) is Swanage's finest drummer, playing in almost every band that has come out of the town. He provides the beat that holds the band together in that particular 'Gliders style.
Description
With an extensive set list we can reach everybody who is watching, and make every gig unique. Very rarely will you see us play the same song the same way as the last time you heard it; we like to develop each song as we play, changing the dynamics, and the feel of the song, we achieve a different experience every time.
With a range of ages, from the young to the old! We have the talent and experience that comes through our music. Blind Lemon Gliders have gained an understanding of how to play and feel old and modern styles of Blues. We are based in Dorset and regularly play venues across on the circuit. We aim to have fun, and play good music.
Blue Touch
Dates Playing: Saturday, Sunday
Website: www.bluetouch.info
Blue Touch continue to cement their reputation as being one of the top live acts on the blues circuit, and look forward to visiting Swanage once more, to meet friends both old and new
The captivating Andrea Maria on vocal duties has been described in BluesMatters! magazine as “making Madonna look like a virgin”. Andrea has been singing and performing for many years and her stunning stage presence never fails to impress.
On drums, the rock powerhouse that is Hugh Lawrenson firmly underpins Blue Touch as a powerful blues/rock outfit. In the past Hugh has toured extensively throughout Europe, South Africa and the Middle East, but always enjoys our trips to Swanage
Alan Cleaves has been playing guitar for longer than he cares to remember, and also sings. Very rarely spotted without a Les Paul, Alan is a founder member of the band.
Also on guitar and vocals, Neil Sadler has had a long career as both a professional musician and the proprietor of a recording studio. Neil somehow makes the astonishing seem easy...
Merv Griffin on bass is another founder member of the band who often seems to have the wrong number of strings on one guitar and lost the body of another but yet still seems to make the right sort of noise!
The band plays at many festivals, blues clubs and other events, playing a range of blues and rock arranged to provide different interpretations and always present a dynamic stage show.
2012 saw the release of their latest CD imaginatively titled “IV”, which offers rocking blues, acoustic blues and more, all with the unmistakable Blue Touch....touch
www.facebook.com/blue.touch
Blues Machine
Dates Playing: under discussion
Website: www.thebluesmachine.co.uk
Progressive, dynamic, and raw. Playing blues how it should be played, The Blues Machine offer a truly energetic performance with passion that can only come from adolescence.
Now 18 years of age, the trio’s music combines newfound maturity with teenage restlessness in the footprints of Taste, The Groundhogs and Cream.
C Sharp Blues
Dates Playing: Saturday evening
Website: www.chrislonergan.co.uk/
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, BB 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
Dan Sowerby Band
Dates Playing: under discussion
Website: www.dansowerby.com
"Finalists in the UK wide search for the best in new blues talent New Brunswick Battle of the Blues 2011 and nominated as a nominee in British Blues Awards 2012 Kevin Thorpe Songwriter of the Year"
The Dan Sowerby Band are only a three piece band but they use every inch of the stage, filling it with a full drum kit, double bass and 4 guitars. Their set is bursting with Blues classics and original songs which Dan has penned himself. Not only is Dan a great song writer but he is an exceptional guitarist, he switches between an array of electric guitars and one Resonator guitar (Dan uses four guitars because they are each tuned differently). He uses a brass slide to make his guitar sing, this is on occasions used in unison with a wah-wah pedal which gives his guitar a vocal quality.
Having such a great guitarist fronting a band you would expect the performance to be full of elaborate guitar solos, this is not the case. Yes, Dan does play a mean guitar solo but Matt on double bass and Ben on drums see this as an opportunity to join in with Dan. Doing so turns what would normally be a guitar solo into a full band instrumental. As the evening progress the music gets louder, the audience take to the dance floor and the band becomes more energetic. Matt on double bass becomes immersed in the music becoming more animated and dancing with his double bass like it was his dancing partner. Definitely a band worth checking out!
www.facebook.com/dansowerbymusic
David Raphael Band
Dates Playing: Sunday
Website: www.thedavidraphaelband.co.uk/
What can you say about the David Raphael Band? We can tell you that Bernie played with Jimmy Witherspoon, we can say that Steve played with David Gilmour or that Nick jammed with Johnny Winter but we don’t need to. We can leave it to the reviews they have received from all over the UK. The “slickest R’n’B band in the UK” and “a total joy to watch and listen too! They tick all the boxes and hold the highest credentials both as musicians and performers who really entertain having gained much respect and appreciation from fans and fellow musicians alike”.
“Its good time R&B driven by David “The Harpmeister” Raphael who ‘blows up a storm’ with this great combo!”
“They were even better than ever. They are one of the busiest bands on the circuit and it shows in their brilliantly tight arrangements. Nick Hyde on lead guitar is superb and has a brilliant voice too. His harmonic solos with David's harp playing were absolutely spot on and riveting. Bernie Fox on Drums and Steve Browning on Bass are two really good musicians and create a really great underscoring beat which allows Nick and David to solo freely”.
“The Dave Raphael Band gave us a demonstration of tight playing, exuberant showmanship, instrumental dexterity, some expressive singing and an obvious, infectious enjoyment in what they are doing".
Why not come along to the Anchor on Sunday at 3:00pm and see for yourself.
Fabulous Fezheads
Dates Playing: Saturday afternoon and evening
Website: www.fezheads.com
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
F-Rock
Dates Playing: March 2013
Website: www.facebook.com/rockwithfrock
FROCK are: Duncan Elder (Du Kane) - Vocals, Paul Sundt - Lead Guitar, Pete Smith - Guitar, Evie Strike - Bass, James Perry - Drums.
F-Rock band members are most noticeable for their age range – 50’s to teens! Duncan is better known as Du Kane. He’s been involved with a lot of bands, most recently Beautiful People. His last single, My Manor, is well worth a listen! Paul Sundt has been gigging professionally for the past 10 years in a variety of bands, both as a guitarist and keyboardist. Paul is also a lecturer at Southampton College of Music Technology. Evie Strike – striking in every way. Having already played in a three piece band with Paul prior to joining F-Rock, she was very keen to come on board to gain more experience – at 18 she is an extraordinary example of young talent. James Perry has achieved a lot at a very young age (24). He is signed with Bull Riff Stampede and in 2012 played at a number of major festivals around the country. Pete Smith the dinosaur of the band, whose claim to fame is that he remembers most of the tracks the first time round, has played in a number of local bands including Freezer who played, alongside Paul, at The Anchor two years ago.
Sunday’s recipe will be 8ozs of Zeppelin, a level teaspoon of ACDC, a cup of Hendrix, and a splash of Free, Neil Young, Thin Lizzy, The Who, The Beatles, Floyd and many more!
Hugh Budden
Dates Playing: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Website: www.hughbudden.com
Hugh started playing blues harmonica relatively late in life compared to the vast majority, having been inspired by seeing “9 Below Zero” at Reading Rock festival. Before long he was playing with the newly formed band “The Producers” who went on to become British Blues Band of the year many times. These days he performs with some of the most respected musicians in the South playing across the spectrum of blues styles, not forgetting Jazz, Country and Indie music. This is hardly surprising as he cites Kim Wilson, Howard Levy and the late Norton Buffalo as his Harmonica Hero's.
Hugh has performed with or supported many legends of the Blues and Rock scene and has also played in many European countries as well as as New Zealand, The Middle East and the Caribbean which may explain his taste for loud shirts and shoes!
Jam Sessions with Robin Bibi Band
Dates Playing: Saturday afternoon, Sunday afternoon
Jam Sessions are hosted by the Robin Bibi Band at the White Horse from 2 - 5pm Saturday and 3 - 6pm Sunday.
Backline provided but drummers bring own sticks.
Jason Manners & 3 Buck Shirt
Dates Playing: under discussion
Website: www.3BuckShirt.com
Dynamic and varied Blues from Swamp to Swing, heavily improvised and played with soul!
Jawbreakers
Dates Playing: under discussion
Website: www.thejawbreakers.com
“Exciting, Amazing, Stupendous and Unique!” – Steve Darrington
Absolute Top Musicians playing Blues, Jump Jive, Theme Tunes and against all odds, Big Band Swing in a way you’ve never heard before - but you'll like it... you'll like it a lot!
The Jawbreakers’ attitude: ‘How hard can it be?!!!’ means no genre of music is out of bounds.
Jump Jive, Film Noir, Sensational!
Deano Robinson on drums, Philip Brannnan on rhythm guitar, Ed Brayshaw on lead guitar and vocals, Chris Riley on upright bass and Max Hunt on piano and organ
Unmissable.
Jay Tamkin
Dates Playing: Saturday evening
Website: www.jaytamkinband.com
Steve Darrington says: "It's not often that I suggest you read a review first, but take a look at this one!"
Review of The Tropic Ruislip 30th July 2011 By Dave Hart
"I think the only way to describe this gig is Obscene.... there is no way in a million years that a guy of that age, should have that amount of virtuosity! Take all the best aspects of blues, rock and jazz put them in a blender and you will have something that starts to to sound akin to this amazing artist. All the material was "home grown" and would not be out of place in the repertoire of people like Eric Clapton, Joe Satriani, (the late) Gary Moore or Alvin Lee. Jay Tamkin has speed when appropriate, and a feeling and fluency is his playing which is a joy to behold. To any budding guitarists... seeing Jay play will do one of two things, make to strive a lot harder or make you hang you guitar up on the wall. To make matters even worse the kid can sing with great feeling and has the looks to go with it. Jay proves that Britain HAS got Talent, sadly plonkers like Simon Cowell are too thick to recognise true talent."
Jay Tamkin is a multidimensional, multi-talented singer/songwriter and instrumentalist who has been likened to Stevie Winwood and a young Jimi Hendrix. He writes all his own music and has over 30 songs published, with his debut CD, Sorted & Latest CD ALIBI available at HMV,Amazon,iTunes,Napster and Play.com.
He played four tracks live on the Paul Jones BBC Radio 2 Blues show and has toured Europe & USA extensively & played at almost all the music festivals in the UK, including the main stage at Glastonbury, and several in Europe. He has played with and alongside Robin Trower, Eric Burdon, Chris Farlowe, Madeline Bell, Roy Ayers,P opa Chubby, Pat Travers, The Groundhogs, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Blockheads and many more.
The band are Jay Tamkin - Guitar, Lapjack, Vocals: Rik 'Howling' Christiansen – Keys: and Nick Ramos Pinto – Drums.
There’s no doubt that congenital talent is at work here? Classic Rock magazine.’
Make no mistake...this is the arrival of somebody VERY special on the British music scene? GTFM radio.
"I thought that they were stunning, absolutely tremendous, one of the best Festival performances this year" - BIRMINGHAM 27th INTERNATIONAL JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL Organiser
Johnny Sharp
Dates Playing: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Website: to be advised
Johnny took up playing the electric guitar with a keen interest after receiving one as a present for his eighth birthday. Devoted to the blues artists he grew up listening to, such as Lightning Hopkins, Otis Rush, Freddie King, Elmore James and Peter Green, he formed his first band at 14 years old and was performing professionally at 17.
After moving to London during the 1990s he made a name for himself on the on the underground folk & blues circuit being mainstay lead guitarist with Pete Bennett & The Blues Explosion which were very much a modern day ‘John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers’ outfit. They were featured in NME 2000 and made many festival appearances including Glastonbury.
Johnny is a well-known face on the current UK blues circuit and his playing style has been likened to a ‘Beano era Clapton’. He co-hosts the ‘open mic’ sessions at Swanage Blues Festival with Martin Froud.
Lewis Cohen
Dates Playing: under discussion
Website: www.lewiscohen.co.uk
Whether its giving solo performances blending classic pre-war country and acoustic blues music with his own self-penned material, or singing and playing guitar with the alt. Bluegrass sensation The Wagon Tales, Lewis delights audiences with his passion, conviction and humour. His voice - with a range that can deliver anything from a delicate and soulful ballad to the throaty roar of a barrelhouse stomp - has brought critical acclaim for his live and recorded work. His mastery of rural guitar styles provides the perfect foundation for his music, and his skill with a bottleneck continues to draw praise from newcomers and aficionados alike.
Milton-Farrow Skiffle 'n' Blues Band
Dates Playing: March 2013
Website: www.richiemilton.co.uk
Rhythm'n'Blues bandleader Richie Milton and Canning Town bluesman Bill Farrow joined forces to record the cd "Barefoot and Blue" along with Harmonica wizz Alan Glen, top bassman Greg Harewood and well respected drummer Graham Hollingworth.
The cd received rave reviews along with live radio sessions. Their vibrant mix of blues and skiffle has been a guaranteed crowd pleaser at festivals, concerts, functions and corporate events and their latest cd "New Tracks (Down an Old Road) will be available in 2013!
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Motel 6
Dates Playing: Saturday evening
Website: tinyurl.com/ca7kjyc
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.
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.
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
Mustangs
Dates Playing: Friday evening
Website: www.themustangs.co.uk/
THE MUSTANGS are one of the most established and well known blues rock bands in the UK, with a reputation for blistering live shows and ground-breaking original blues albums. In 2009 the band was nominated for three British Blues Awards.
Regarded as a breath of fresh air on the UK blues scene, the London-based four piece combines the power and punch of traditional R’n’B with great original songs and a show-stopping stage set. They have established a formidable reputation as one of the hardest-working and most charismatic bands in British blues.
The Mustangs are led by the stunning voice and slashing guitar of livewire frontman Adam Norsworthy. The razor-sharp rhythm section of Jon Bartley (drums) and Ben McKeown (bass) is the tightest on the circuit. The line-up is completed by R’n’B veteran Derek Kingaby on vintage blues harp.
The Mustangs formed in Hampshire in 2001. They immediately started gaining rave reviews in the blues press, with writers hailing the band as the country’s brightest new blues talent. News of their deft song-writing and hunger for playing live soon spread. Since then the Mustangs have headlined stages all over the UK and Northern Europe.
Having been on the Blues Matters label for five years, in 2011 they signed a worldwide record deal with Trapeze Music and released their sixth album, Shaman & the Monkey, to great critical acclaim.
“This outfit has the potential to change how British blues is perceived and received” Blues Matters Magazine
“In a genre so dominated by predictable cover bands, the Mustangs have broken free…sheer balls tempered by plenty of heart and soul” Record Collector
“Truly storming, ferocious…the very definition of blues rock” Rock’n’Reel mag
"Blistering musicianship" Music Eye magazine
“Split Decision is a compulsory purchase for British blues rock fans” The Musician magazine
“Musical depth, sheer balls and plenty of heart and soul” Record Collector
“Skill, flair, and a true feeling for the music they so clearly love” BluesMatters.com
“This outfit has the potential to change the way British blues is perceived and received” - Blues Matters magazine
“Infectiously funky..and downright beautiful” – R2 Magazine
Open Mic Sessions with Johnny Sharp and Martin Froud
Dates Playing: Friday afternoon, Saturday afternoon, Sunday afternoon
Website: www.facebook.com/swanagebluesopenmic
The Open Mic Sessions are held at the Red Lion from 2 - 5pm Friday and Saturday, and 1 - 4pm on Sunday. Slots are not booked in advance.
Book in with the hosts of the Open Mic sessions on the day - turn up early if you can to avoid disappointment. 1.30pm on Saturday might still be OK.
Paint It Blue
Dates Playing: under discussion
Website: www.myspace.com/paintitblueuk
“Paint It Blue entertained us at a Swanage Blues Club gig and the overwhelming demand from our members was that they should be booked for the next blues festival!” says Steve Darrington, festival organiser.
Paint It Blue is a five piece band, fronted by three young talents, Hannah Robinson (vocals, guitar and percussion), Peter “Pedro” Quintin (Guitar) and Ed Fish (Harmonica). They are backed by a mature rhythm section - Ian Walker (Bass) and Marcin Dyba (Drums).
Paint It Blue play Blues – a blend of original songs alongside carefully chosen covers and standards - delivered in their fresh, soulful style. The band is based in Bournemouth, Dorset and play at venues along the South Coast.
Paint It Blue formed in 2008, with the current line up becoming established in summer 2009. Their self-titled debut album was released in July 2010, and made Blues in Britain Magazine’s ‘Best of British Blues on CD’ list for the same year.
In May 2011 Paint It Blue won the Cooltura Music Awards prize, a national competition, where they performed original songs at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London to an audience of 2,000 people.
Singer and front woman Hannah Robinson came to the blues through her love of soul music, particularly that of Sam Cooke, developing an obsession that has grown ever since Paint It Blue was formed. Guitarist Peter ‘Pedro’ Quintin is heavily influenced by the emotional, ‘less is more’ style of Peter Green, as well as admiring the showmanship of Pete Townshend. Ed Fish evolved an individual, self-taught style after being inspired to take up the blues harp whilst watching a video of Junior Wells.
Paint It Blue’s rhythm section provides the perfect strong, sensitive backbone for the band. Bassist Ian Walker credits Peter Cetera of Chicago and John Paul Jones to be his greatest influences. On drums is Marcin Dyba, with a rare, intricate style that helps make Paint It Blue’s sound so distinctive. He is influenced by listening to The Beatles, as well as admiring Tony Royster Jr. and Steve Gadd, which helps to keep Paint it Blue’s rhythmic style open.
The band intends to commence creating a second album in the near future, whilst continuing to perform at new venues and festivals.
“With Paint It Blue, what you hear is what you get… brilliantly played music by a very talented band of musicians” Karl Hayman, Bhone.co.uk – Album Review
“The music is tight, the technique sound and the music mostly original. The moody voice of singer Hannah Robinson puts into question the ageist prejudice I mentioned earlier: her voice might yet be young and have years of maturing ahead, but she grabbed my attention – she has a rich, working voice that allows an unexpected emotional depth. This is an unassuming band that, again, deserves a wider audience” Nick Baines, Wordpress Blog – Album Review
“…the stunning voice of Hannah Robinson who really shines in all areas backed ably by her band of quality musicians. The guitar work is intricate and of a very high standard with a number of great solos along the lines of Gary Moore or Eric Clapton. If you love your Blues music or you just want a break form your normal style of music this is well worth a listen” Chinners, rockregeneration.co.uk – Album Review
Ray Drury
Dates Playing: Sunday afternoon and evening
Ray Drury is the Gospel/Soul/Blues style organ and piano player with the award-winning Producers Blues Band and can be seen sitting in occasionally with South Coast bands Blues Etc, Steve Brookes Band, Riverside Blues Band, Zoe Schwartz Blue Commotion, Smokin' Benny Brown Band, Bob Pearce Blues Band, Pete Harris Blues Band, Rufus Stone, Little Miff & The JT30's, Dan Sowerby Band, FNUK, Steely Scam as well as more national acts Cregan & Co (original Rod Stewart Band) and Tobacco Dock Blues Band.
The Producers’ latest CD and Vinyl record ‘London Blues’ features guests Paul Beavis (Go West, Low Riders) Andy Fairweather Low (Eric Clapton, Roger Waters) Ben Waters and 5 times blues award winner Paul Lamb, with all the material being self penned originals.
Riotous Brothers
Dates Playing: Saturday afternoon
Website: www.riotousbrothers.com
We are very pleased to be returning to Swanage Blues Festival, always a highlight of the year for us. The Riotous Brothers’ songs and influences are shaped by the blues. From its roots in America it branched out with the British boom and it keeps on growing. We’re part of the new growth, pushing outward and upward from what has gone before. But don't just take our word for it:
'A repertoire stretching the limits of blues and R&B, songs from their own book have a familiar feel to them, as if they are the standards of tomorrow. The band had a great rapport with the audience - a fun evening.' Blues In Britain magazine
'The Riotous Brothers is a confident, adventurous band, full of well-crafted songs that stretch into excellent blues-rock, muscular funk and good time boogie with real emotion and feel. Central to the band's energetic drive is Mash Sonnet, passionately belting out his vocal parts and with a wide range of tone colours to his guitar. Paul Long contributes emotive vocals, organ and electric piano. Mat Lake provides the subtle, undulating bass work and the band's natural exuberance is reined in and eloquently shaped by drummer Dirk Maggs. It's rare for a blues-based band to come up with something as original and different - full of creativity, integrity and real spark.' www.getreadytorock.com
'So memorable were some of the songs that I had to do a double take, as I was convinced they were covers, but all the material on the album is self-written. A faultless recording...high energy material...destined to cause a riot!' Blues Matters magazine
Riverside Blues Band
Dates Playing: Friday evening and Saturday afternoon
Website: www.riversidebluesband.co.uk/
Most Blues Rock music is a lot of rock and not so much blues. Riverside Blues Band reverses this trend and challenges the assumption that blues is all doom and misery, playing upbeat music with a distinct Chicago edge - music to have a good time to, just as blues should be.
There'll be a selection from the Dr Feelgood/ZZ Top songbook... cars, beer and lurve also get a mention, there's an original composition, at least 3 songs about murdering your girlfriend....and purely coincidentally, a couple about ladies of generous proportions...all scattered nonchalantly amongst other R'n'B classics...
Robin Bibi Band
Dates Playing: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Website: www.robinbibiband.co.uk/
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!
Stan's Blues Jamboree
Dates Playing: Saturday 1pm-7pm
Website: www.stansbluesjam.co.uk
Stan’s Blues Jamboree returns to Swanage Blues Festival with another cornucopia of blues performances, starting with Stan’s Blues Jam, followed by showcase slots of top-notch blues bands, and concluding with the Steamer Acoustic Jam Session featuring guest artistes from near and far.
Steamer
Dates Playing: Saturday afternoon
Website: www.myspace.com/steamer234
Steamer - an acoustic blues trio with songs from the Delta, Chicago, Texas, and British blues including some of their own, with the spirit of Riverside Blues Band.
Stan on vocals & guitar, Helen on bass and Tom on djembe & cajon.
Steve Darrington
Dates Playing: under discussion
Website: www.stevedarrington.com/
Festival Organiser Steve Darrington played piano and/or harmonica for over 40 years with blues, country and pop 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, Duster Bennett and on over 50 albums.
Although disabled since age 6 with Polio, Steve completed 35 years of touring before having to settle down due to ill health. He came to Swanage for two days in August 2000 - and is still here!
Steve started Swanage Blues in 2001 originally as a party and has since developed the events into what they are today - the Best Blues Parties on the South Coast!
Steve compiles the local "Live Music and more!" guides, available at venues, tourist information centres and for download here. He works all year round to raise the funds necessary to keep the blues festivals going. So please be generous when it's your turn to support Swanage Blues by buying a wristband or two!
He still plays a mean keyboard if he can be persuaded. "Catch him if you can!" - Blues In Britain
The I.D.s
Dates Playing: March 2013
The I.D.s are a young duo based in the South of England who play chilled out blues. With Calum Bird on electric guitar and vocals and Tom Sofikitis on djembe and cajon, they will be supporting The Riverside Blues Band.
The Smokin' Benny Brown Band
Dates Playing: March 2013
Website: www.smokinbennybrownband.com/
A biography of The Smokin’ Benny Brown Band in 50 words? Impossible! These boys require at least 50 superlatives! Smoke and the boys will be serving up some Blackened Blues, a powerful music full of passion that delivers every time without fail. Great Vocals. Brilliant Musicians. Fantastic, Energetic Blues Band.
Tommy Allen & Johnny Hewitt
Dates Playing: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Website: www.thebluesduo.com
This is a true capture of street style Chicago blues during the 1950s where many guys just set up on Sunday down on Maxwell Street and performed to passing crowds. The well-balanced musical mixture of Tommy Allen and Johnny Hewitt has come from years of love and passion of the true blues.
These two guys in everyday life perform in totally different style bands; though grown from the same roots, these roots are where Allen and Hewitt meet and take us on their very own journey to where the delta headed to Chicago and became electrified.
You would have seen and heard music like this along Maxwell Street every day with the likes of Robert Nighthawk, Carey Bell and many other artists who bridged that pre-war acoustic and post-war urban electric styles.
Tommy Allen and Johnny Hewitt, the duo, are no-frills, no-nonsense, raw and honest and like Johnny says, "Let the music speak for itself".
Tommy and Johnny have supported in 2009 Mud Morganfield – son of Muddy Waters, and Buddy Whittington – John Mayall Guitarist and performed at Colne Blues Festival 2009 and 2010.
“Man – these guys sound real good” Mud Morganfield – son of Muddy Waters
“Thanks for two sensational sets at Tenby” Committee – Tenby Blues Festival
“They gel superbly – it’s as though they were meant to play together” Paul Cowley – Sutton Blues Collective
“For two men, you make a real big sound” Buddy Whittington – John Mayall guitarist
Will Killeen
Dates Playing: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Website: willkilleen.weebly.com
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!
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 was 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.
Zoe Schwarz and Blue Commotion
Dates Playing: Friday evening
Website: www.bluecommotion.com
Zoe Schwarz-vocals, Rob Koral-guitar, Rodney Teague-bass, Dave Maye-drums
Zoe and Rob will be appearing with their trimmed down four piece line-up. Although best known for their sophisticated delivery and interpretation of the blues with their large six piece BLUE COMMOTION band, it’s perhaps an interesting diversion to hear the more raw, open sound of the power trio behind Zoe’s typical live mix of catchy, lively original tunes, classic moody covers by the likes of Nina Simone and Willie Dixon, and up-tempo shuffle/jump blues. The music is underpinned by the tight grooves of Dave Mayne and the rich textural harmonic awareness of Rodney Teague on bass.
‘Zoe proved throughout the show to be a vocalist of rare talent’ – Blues in Britain, John Mitchell, Sept 2012 (Maltings Farncombe)
“Over the past five or six years a quiet revolution, or rather evolution, has been taking place on the south coast of England. The rise of BLUE COMMOTION is nothing short of phenomenal, with all six musicians contributing to high quality, original and inventive jazz and blues music.” The Bishop, Blues Matters 2012
“Schwarz takes all that is good from Janis Joplin and Billie Holiday and makes it uniquely her own.” C.Michael Bailey, AAJ Apr2012)
“Rob Koral is quite simply a guitar genius.” Blues In Britain, B. Middleton July 2012
‘Eye catching jazz vocals meet sumptuous guitar’ – Guitarist Magazine, Jan 2012
‘Good Times’ “…exceptional, original songs. Buy this CD soon. It’s remarkable.” Blues In Britain, B. Middleton July 2012
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