Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion

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Kent Duchaine

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Laurie McVay & The Highrollers

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Everyone likes the sound of the blues, they just don't know it yet. So says Laurie McVay, who is coming to The Bullfrog Blues Club on Thursday 4th April (starts 8 p.m).

McVay has been dubbed the 'Blues-Soul Man' for his modern, soulful approach to the music. The songs are blue to the core, but they bring in elements of jazz, funk and Southern Soul. Well-versed listeners will hear echoes of Bobby Bland, Junior Parker, Magic Sam - others will simply be moved by the timeless but timely sounds.

Laurie will be joined at The Bullfrog by his main band, The High Rollers: Graham Matthews (drums), Tim Hollis (bass), Andy Charles (guitar) and Dave Gledhill (keyboards). The Rollers are modelled on the versatile five-piece outfits that can be heard in the blues clubs in Chicago and they provide impeccable support.

Blues in Britain magazine described Laurie McVay as 'a fine harmonica player and a superb singer' [who] pulls off the difficult trick of being soulful with a British accent'. You'll find it hard to disagree. This is the British blues of today 'vibrant, joyful, sad as required ' and soulful as hell.

Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow

January 2020 marks thirty years since Brooks Williams’ first album came out. Thirty years since the Washington Post’s glowing review of that album. Thirty years since National Public Radio’s Noah Adams interviewed him about that album. It’s where it all began. The subsequent twenty-eight recordings, the countless international tours and festival appearances, the countless hours and miles on the road and in the studio.

When it came time to put together an album reflecting songs from across those thirty years, Williams immediately thought of fiddler Aaron Catlow. The two met on a tour in The Netherlands in the snowy winter of 2019. “I loved his tone and vibe immediately” says Williams, “the breadth of styles under his fingertips reminded me of how I think about my music and I thought he’d bring a great sound to the project and tour.”

And so he has! Listen the interplay on Williams’ signature cover of Dave Alvin’s “King of California” or the drive of Williams’ “Not Haunted Anymore.” The interplay was instantly, and intuitively, present.

Williams, a Stateboro, Georgia USA native, now makes his home in Cambridge UK. Besides his busy solo touring schedule, he collaborates with Boo Hewerdine in their State of the Union project, as well as an on-going collaboration with Rab Noakes. Williams has also orchestrated one-time collaborations with Hans Theessink, Sloan Wainwright, Guy Davis and Sally Barker. Americana UK described him as having, “a beautiful voice that you just melt into.” Blues Bytes said, “Pure talent, hard work and relentless touring have brought him to the pinnacle of his career.”

Aaron Catlow is half of the Bristol based duo with Kit Hawes. Their take on acoustic and folk music is fresh and inventive. They re-shape traditional music as well as write their own. When not gigging with Kit, Aaron also plays with Yola Carter, Sheelanagig and, now, Brooks Williams. Songlines calls Catlow “Fleet fingered…” R2 Magazine remarks on the “dexterity, energy and passion…”.

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The Achievers

UK BLUES CHALLENGE WINNERS THE ACHIEVERS ARE ONE OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT AND CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED BANDS ON THE UK BLUES AND ROOTS MUSIC SCENE. WITH A REPUTATION FOR INNOVATION AND ORIGINALITY THEY PROVE THAT SOUL, GROOVE AND SONG-CRAFT STILL MATTER IN THE BLUES.

IN LESS THAN 18 MONTHS THEIR OWN BRAND OF MODERN, SECULAR 'DANCEFLOOR GOSPEL-BLUES' HAS CATAPULTED THEM FROM NEAR-COMPLETE OBSCURITY TO RAVE REVIEWS AND BIG-STAGE APPEARANCES ACROSS THE WORLD. FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF THEIR 2019 ALBUM 'THE LOST ARC' THEY RECEIVED RADIO AIRPLAY BY CERYS MATTHEW (BBC 2 BLUES SHOW) AND REACHED #1 IN THE INDEPENDENT BLUES BROADCASTERS AIRPLAY CHARTS.

IN SEPTEMBER 2019 THE BAND WON ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS ACCOLADES IN BRITISH BLUES MUSIC WHEN THEY WERE SELECTED TO REPRESENT THE UK AT THE INTERNATIONAL AND EUROPEAN BLUES CHALLENGES IN 2020.

THE ACHIEVERS DRAW ON THEIR OBSESSION WITH AMERICAN VINTAGE DANCING MUSIC AND THE SONGWRITING PIONEERS OF EARLY RHYTHM & BLUES, AMERICANA AND SOUTHERN SOUL - AND WITH THEIR INFECTIOUS RHYTHMS, JOYFUL MELODIES AND FOUR-PART HARMONIES THEY STAND PROUDLY AS BRITISH BLUES & ROOTS OUTLIERS.

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THE GRATEFUL DUDES

The Grateful are the UK's most authentic Grateful Dead tribute. Based in the heart of England, The Grateful Dudes have come together to play the music of The Grateful Dead in the spirit of adventure, allowing you to experience the energy, excitement and experimentation of a Grateful Dead show . Highly experienced in the European Dead scene, they have been playing these songs since the mid '80s in various line-ups in venues all over Europe. The band consists of Andy Scoffin (lead guitar, vocals); Richard Hill (rhythm guitar, vocals); Bill Giles (keyboards, vocals); Dave Seppanen (bass guitar); Greg Myles (drums, vocals); and Bob Bryars (drums)

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The Muffin Men

Celibrating The Music Of Frank Zappa

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