Glastonbury Tickets
Two tickets for Glastonbury 2007 will be the prize in the Blues Festival raffle presented by Michael Eavis himself! All you need to do is arrive at the festival before 1pm and you will automatically be entered into the draw.
Ton Up CLub
The Bristol Blues Festival is supported by local businesses via the Ton Up Club. Click on the image above to visit the site (opens a new window).
Bristol Blues 2006
Following on the success of the Bristol Blues Festival 2005, underground-sounds.co.uk is fostering the creative growth of the Bristol Blues scene. The mix of both regional and international artists will raise the status of the exceptional music talent to be found in the South West.
Doors will open at noon on Sunday October 15th with music continuing until approximately midnight - 12 hours of great music. Over 18s Only. Tickets will be £20 on the door and £15 in advance from the Bristol Ticket Shop or through our online ticket ordering below:
Please contact tony@bristolblues.co.uk for more info.
Artists
- Otis Taylor
Hailed as the world's foremost psychedelic banjo-playing bluesman and with his music being labelled 'trance blues', Otis Taylor is definitely the blues man of the moment. His 2005 tour of the UK (including Bristol) garnered endless critical praise and major articles in The Independent and The Guardian.
Otis plays mostly banjo and mandolin, instruments more commonly associated with country than with blues, and rather than deal straightforwardly in the usual blues verities, his songs usually place those themes-love and loss, community and suffering, catharsis and redemption-in the context of grim, straightforward historical narratives that are meticulously detailed. Taylor's approach suggests the global-village equivalent of a West African 'griot', a wise storyteller who passes his village history down orally. Born in 1948 in Chicago, Taylor grew up, from age 6, in Denver, hanging around the Folklore Centre and learning various instruments. Before going on to form his first blues band in 1964. His first near-brush with fame came in 1969, when he relocated to London to sign with the British blues label Blue Horizon. After that deal quickly fell through, he returned to Boulder to play with more blues-rock outfits, often working with Tommy Bolin, the hard-rock guitar hero who'd recently left the James Gang and would soon graduate to Deep Purple. In 1977, Taylor left the music biz completely to become an art and antiques dealer. He didn't play in public again until 1995, when he also released his debut album Blue Eyed Monster (no longer available). When Negroes Walked the Earth followed in 2000, White African in 2001, and Respect the Dead in 2002; White African won him a Handy Award, the blues world's highest honour, for best new artist in 2002 while the latter earned 2003 nominations for acoustic blues artist and contemporary blues album of the year. Since then albums such as Double V and 2005's Below The Fold have only added to his reputation for playing the blues his way - blues for the 21st century.
Visit: www.otistaylor.com
- The Groundhogs Rhythm Section with Chaz DePaolo
- Michael Pickett (Canada)
In a musical career that has spanned more than three decades, Canadian singer/songwriter and award winning recording artist, Michael Pickett, has embraced the blues with style, substance and musical integrity. In 1998 Michael released his debut CD Blues Money. This was nominated for a Juno and received the Jazz Report and Real Blues awards for 'Blues Album of the Year'. Michael was also presented with the coveted Maple Blues 'Blues With A Feeling' Award in recognition of his passion and commitment to the blues. Conversation with the Blues in 2000 earned him another Juno nomination and won the Canadian Indie Music Award for 'Blues Album of the Year'. In the Spring of 2000, Michael revealed yet another layer of his seemingly endless reservoir of musical talents. His deep love of roots/blues music compelled him to pick up his Gibson guitar after a 30+ year hiatus. Applying focus and diligence, this musical transition transformed him into a formidable guitarist on the six-string, twelve-string, and National Steel Duolian. Adding exceptional rack harmonica skills and remarkable vocals, he delivers performances that are charged with electricity and filled with passion, authenticity, substance, and a unique style. Michael's career has included extensive recording, film, radio, and television credits. He has shared the stage with John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, Koko Taylor, John Hammond, Sunnyland Slim, James Cotton, Jeff Healey and has opened for Taj Mahal, Muddy Waters, Son Seals, and James Cotton.
Visit: www.michaelpickett.com
- Trafficker
Trafficker is the band formed and led by ace guitarist and songwriter Tommy Allen. Never one to let the grass grow under his feet, Tommy recently spent 8 months playing guitar with the Sugar Babes recording their single Soul Sound and appearing with them on 24 Television Shows. Tommy played guitar for Mojo Buford (legendary American harmonica player and an ex-member of Muddy Water's band) in 2003 and as a result has been invited to Memphis this year to embark on a two week tour of the southern states of the USA as a guest of Memphis blues band, Nightrain, fronted by Papa Don McMinnn, who was guitarist for John Mayall's Blues breakers in the early 70s. Tommy has jammed and recorded with: Lazy Lester, The Producers, Ben Waters, Papa George, Rod Garfield, Danny Bryant, Dino Baptiste, Connie Lush, Robert Hokum, Earl Green, Todd Sharpville, Eddie Martin, Otis Grand, Ian Parker, Pee Wee Ellis (James Brown Sax Player), Simon Kirk and Mick Ralph (Bad Company). Trafficker had a change around and became a power trio at the start of 2005 and now with their third album out Fade to Black Tommy has shown again strength in his singing and writing abilities.
Visit: www.tommyallen.com
- Keith Warmington and Rick Payne
Rick Payne - 'Impressive slide guitar playing from West Country bluesman whose work bears comparison with early Ry Cooder' - Daily Telegraph.
Often compared with Ry Cooder, slide guitar maestro Rick Payne's performances have taken him to prime time TV, to festivals and theatres throughout the UK and on tour to Europe, USA, Scandinavia and Greek Islands.
He has provided the background music to a number of major BBC TV productions, for wildlife programmes on Radio 4 and for BBC World Service. He has also featured on BBC Radio 2 with Nigel Kennedy and appeared live on BBC1 'Holby City'. His mastery of acoustic blues takes him beyond the usual boundaries of blues festivals and clubs. He frequently plays at jazz and folk events and at literature and poetry festivals and has even played the blues at a classical music festival, on stage after the English Symphony Orchestra.
A qualified guitar tutor, Rick passes his skills on to around 150 students per week at schools throughout the South West and at workshops nationwide. He is also kept busy as senior tutor and course writer here at the Acoustic Guitar Workshop. Reviewers have described his sound as: heart wrenching and passionate, delicate and scorching, seriously brilliant, totally absorbing and spellbindingly evocative with raw and fiery vocals to match.
Keith Warmington - Hailing from Cornwall, Keith Warmington found his way to his current home town of Bristol some 30 years ago. He arrived as a musician, at that time playing in a duo by the name of Strange Fruit. Essentially a blues and jug band, Strange Fruit toured the length and breadth of Great Britain and made the occasional foray into mainland Europe. It may have been his purpose in life, but it didn't pay the rent, so Keith embarked on a career as a French teacher, and some years later made the seemingly illogical progression into broadcasting for the BBC. In the meantime, Keith maintained his stage presence, playing in pubs, clubs and festivals throughout the West Country. He was the founding member of the Parole Brothers in the early '80s, whose career included supporting and playing on stage with Dr John and cutting one sleazy blues album. As well as the memorable stage appearance with Dr John, though probably remembered more by Keith than by Dr John in those wilderness days, Keith has performed live with John Martyn, Andy Fairweather-Low, Michael Chapman, Steve Tilston, Al Perkins and Kevin Montgomery. Widely respected by fellow musicians, Keith himself has been joined on stage by the likes of Andy Sheppard, Kit Morgan, Stuart Gordon, Rick Payne, Steve Payne, Chris Jagger and Alan Burke. Over the years, Keith has played on three records by Steve Tilston, three by Michael Chapman, two by Dave Evans, the Korgis' first album and two by contemporary popsters, Up Bustle and Out. In June 2004, Keith was asked by Al Perkins if he would play harmonica on his forthcoming album. This is a big honour as Al is one of the most respected musicians in the business, having played with the likes of Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, The Rolling Stones and these days with Kevin Hay.
Visit: www.keith-warmington.com
- Pete Roe Five
- Forster King Band
Formed by guitarist Jamie Forster and vocalist Phil King, this band also features Scott Hammond on drums and Jonny Henderson on keyboards. Their sound blends two of their biggest influences: a BB King shuffle added to New Orleans funk, a recipe that is certainly making an impact.
Visit: www.forsterkingband.co.uk
- Beth Rowley Band
Having known from a very early age that she was destined to sing Beth Rowley started writing and recording music and experimenting with different styles. At 16 she formed 'The Apogee' an original 5 piece funk/soul/acid jazz group. It was during this time that she discovered her real passion for performing, and started to make an impact on the local music scene. Beth went on to study music and art at Weston-super-Mare College, managing to fit her performance schedule around her college work. One evening she attended the open mic. night in the renowned Bristol music pub 'The Old Duke' and, needing somebody to accompany her, she happened across local pianist/songwriter Pete Roe, who that night was working behind the bar. After busking through some Carole King songs, Beth and Pete continued to write and gig together for the next two years. Beth now performs with a 5 piece band to packed venues and is fast becoming a highlight in the Bristol and London live music scene. Performing lots of her own self/co-written songs, their sound is an earthy rough round the edges live experience, drawing from Folk, Soul and Blues. Alongside work with her own band, Beth has performed and recorded with a range of other artists. In the summer of 2004 she toured with Ronan Keating, performing duets and singing his backing vocals at music festivals and television shows across Europe and the UK. She carried out similar work with Enrique Iglesias during his 2004 UK record release promotion. Beth met saxophonist Ben Castle, a much respected musician and composer, well known for his work with Jamie Cullum. Beth sang on Ben's album 'Blah Street' a meeting of jazz and electronica and has recently recorded a number of tracks for his follow up album, due out in 2005. After this meeting, Ben offered his assistance with Beth's own music and in February 2004 along with Mark Edwards, produced a 4 track EP for her. Ben then co-operated with Beth working on her new EP 'Sweet Hours'.
Visit: www.bethrowley.com
- Bill Smith and the Fabulous Bluescasters
Bill Smith and the Fabulous Bluescasters are from the South West of England and play a blend of Texas blues and UK R&B having been influenced by the likes of Stevie Ray, Jimmy Lee Vaughan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Arc Angels, Dr Feelgood, The Hoax, Doyle Bramhall and all those other Blues Rockers who have shaped and touched our lives ever since this form of recorded music first reached these shores. The band, Bill Smith (vocals), Rich Miller (bass), Archie Fugill (guitar) and Matt Venn (drums), formed 2 years ago and have been gigging continually ever since. The Bluescasters believe in entertaining an audience and their show has become something of a crowd puller: the band play tight and dress sharp!
- Innes Sibun
"The most moving blues you'll hear" Total Guitar Magazine
In 1990, Innes formed the Innes Sibun Blues Explosion and recorded the album That's What The Blues Can Do, produced by the legendary Mike Vernon. In 1993, Innes joined Robert Plant's band to tour the Fate of Nations album across the USA and Europe followed by Brazil, Venezuela, Chile, Argentina and Mexico. A new Innes Sibun Band album, Superstitious appeared to be followed by others including After Dark, recorded live at The After Dark Festival in Germany. After a short break from music, a new band and a new album Farmhouse Blues sees this fine band and great guitarist up and running again.
Visit: www.innessibun.co.uk
- Keith Davis
- Solo country blues on vox, guitar and dobro
- John Fenlon Band
- As well as being one of the most popular blues bands in the West of England, The John Fenlon Band is the resident band for the weekly Tuesday night blues sessions at The Stonehouse. Fronted by John Fenlon (vocals, harmonica), the band has already released two high quality CDs and played major festivals all over the UK. The remainder of the personnel is Tim Price (drums), Richard Blake (bass guitar), Andy Kinsman (sax), Paul Hartshorn (guitars) and Steve Williams (keyboards, vocals). This was also the band that Charlie Derrick played guitar with preceding his untimely demise - which led to foundation of the Charlie Derrick Music Bursary - and eventually to Bristol Blues 2006.
Visit: www.johnfenlonband.co.uk
- Mike Hoddinott's Blues All Stars
- Kevin Brown
Kevin's devotion to music has been life-long and his passion for slide guitar has resulted in many outstanding recordings and performances across the world. All of Kevin's work is emotionally strong whether playing with a full rhythm section or working as a solo artist. His fresh approach to slide playing and willingness to examine new ideas has resulted in recordings that often seem to have a 'timeless' nature to. His career began with the release of Picking Good Tunes on his own Do Dah label in 1984. This came to the attention of Joe Boyd at Hannibal records who then released it in 1986 as Road Dreams. The follow up Rust put Kevin firmly on the map and was nominated for Best Blues Album of the Year by the British Blues Foundation. On the strength of these two releases Kevin signed a major deal with Chrysalis Records in 1994 and his major label debut Time Marches On has since been hailed as a classic. Sunny Side Up was Kevin's first instrumental album and released in 1999. In Sept 2001 Kevin is scheduled to release his first solo acoustic/electric slide/vocal album. Mojave Dust was recorded live, straight to stereo, during the first half of 2001, pre-release feedback suggests that it is perhaps Kevin's finest piece of work. Kevin has also collaborated with Master Senegalese Kora player Moussa Kouyate. His new album, Tin Church, was released early in 2006.
Visit: www.thekevinbrown.com
- Yuki
There can't be many Japanese Boogie-Woogie pianists in the world and people get a big shock when they see Yuki sat at the piano producing such a big sound. A member of the Bristol band Mean Red Spider, she has also played with Eddie Martin as a guest piano player. Since settling in Bristol in 2001, Yuki has appeared at Glastonbury Festival, WOMAD, and The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival (Colne). Strongly influenced by legendary New Orleans piano players such as James Booker, Dr John and Professor Longhair, Yuki is one of the few pianists in the UK with a true New Orleans sound.
Visit: www.yukipiano.com
- Vulnerable Things
Formed in April 2004, This Bass-less trio have evolved at a rapid rate. Hot property in a blossoming young blues scene emerging in London, the band have just recorded their 3rd EP "Good Luck Mr Gorsky".
The bands powerful live shows have captivated audiences and converted those that thought Blues was just a thing of the past. In their latest recording they have managed to capture a sound so many new blues bands have been striving (but failing) to achieve.
The band have fused influences from the Black Keys, Tom Waits, Howlin Wolf, Junior Kimbrough, Dr John and numerous others to produce a truly original sound.
The passionate, soulful and sometimes desperate performances delivered by singer/songwriter GP Bennett move hand in hand with the subtle and intricate work of guitarist Lewis Hodgkinson. All this entwined with the rhythmic driving percussion of Mr Jimmy Ryan.
This band takes on the blues from a different angle whilst injecting a level of soul and feeling rarely achieved by contemporary artists attempting to work within this genre.
A re-birth of the blues could be just around the corner.
Visit: www.vulnerablethings.moonfruit.com
Venue
The Stonehouse and Jongleurs are on the ground and first floors of a building on Baldwin Street in the heart of the city of Bristol. Both venues regulary host music of many styles. There will be two stages with full PA, lighting and seating on three levels [including the balcony on the first floor]. Each of those levels has its own bar serving a wide range of drinks including a number of special offers. The venue also serves a range of food including meals suitable for vegetarians.
View a Map.
Bursary
Inspired by a very talented musician and former Worle school pupil, The Charlie Derrick Music Bursary, has been set up to celebrate the special musical talent of individuals and to promote the necessary partnership between school, home and student. The aim of the Bursary is to acknowledge the effort and commitment that needs to be shown by each of those parties in achieving a common goal of such high standards of musicianship.
This is our primary aim. I am glad to say however that the latest Bursary has been awarded to Westhaven school in WSM, where an Apple Mac computer, complete with sound card has enabled children with specific learning needs to compose music. Our invitation to you today is to ask whether you have a deserving individual whose musical talent could benefit from specialist lessons or even if it is to help fund the acquisition of an instrument which would allow that person to step up a gear, but perhaps whose family are not in a position to allow this to happen.
Applications for Bursarys from Heads of Music dept in schools and colleges are welcomed either by email or direct communication with Mr Howard Sayer, Head of Music, Worle School, Redwing Drive, WSM N. Somerset. We look forward to considering your applications with the other committee members and thank you for allowing me to present the "Raison d'etre" of the Bursary via The Underground Sounds Original Music Club, which we feel continues in a very positive way, the inspirational twenty years of a great person and very talented musician.
Julie Derrick (Charlie's mum)
Links
Blues Matters - The music magazine and record label where Blues still matters!
Blues in Britain - Each month, Blues In Britain reports on the blues scene, with emphasis on what's happening here in the UK.
Total Guitar - Total Guitar's MySpace page.
Yamaha - Yamaha UK.
Sennheiser - Sennheiser UK.
I Want Gigs - I want Gigs is a place for amateur musicians to showcase themselves to be seen by venues in the UK.
Bristol Evening Post - 'This is Bristol' in association with the Evening Post.