Events

Jimmy Carpenter, saxophonist, singer-songwriter, and arranger, began his musical journey over 35 years ago. In the '80s, he toured the east coast with the renegade blues band, The Alka-Phonics, in the ’90s with the blues-rock band The Believers, with whom he learned about the music business. Over the years, Jimmy has toured internationally with Tinsley Ellis, Jimmy Thackery, Walter Wolfman Washington, Eric Lindell, and others. In 2012 Jimmy joined Mike Zito, his long-time friend and musical cohort, and recorded and toured as a member of Mike Zito and the Wheel. In addition to touring nationally & internationally, Jimmy has written, arranged and recorded the horns for many artists, and has gained a reputation as a master Blues, Rock-n-Roll and R&B saxophonist. Jimmy has also released three solo albums: Toiling in Obscurity, (2008); Walk Away (Vizztone 2014), and Jimmy Carpenter Plays the Blues (Vizztone 2017). After many years in New Orleans, he currently lives in Las Vegas with his partner in crime and musical inspiration, Ms. Carrie Stowers. In addition to leading his own band and playing with numerous others, he is the Musical Director for the Big Blues Bender, and leader of the Bender Brass, The Bender’s house band. He is the current president of the Las Vegas Blues Society, and in 2020 was nominated for a Blues Music Award, his 5th for Best Instrumentalist/Horn.

Support comes from Five Points Gang

Though he is best known as a bluesman and variously described as a legend and a national treasure, a typical Siegal solo show is much more than blues, taking in the American folklore of songwriters such Guy Clarke and Townes Van Zandt, and his own genre-defying songs. What binds together this varied repertoire is Siegal’s fabulous voice and immense command of the guitar.

His trophy cabinet swells by the day: British Blues Hall of Fame, nine-times British Blues Awards winner, three-times European Blues Awards winner, multiple USA Blues Music Awards nominations (most recently for acoustic artist of the year) and twice MOJO blues album of the year.

But don’t expect him to dine out on his press cuttings or sit polishing his trophies. For Siegal, it’s all about the next show, the next song and the next great record.

“Vast talent, historical reverence and forward thinking.” BLUES REVUE USA

“Awash with wit, lust and distraction…..the cleverest writer and most magnetic performer of Blues in the UK.” MOJO

Support is provided by Jed Potts

The most enduring act to emerge from the UK’s much touted pub-rock scene, Dr. Feelgood was formed in 1971 by a group of R&B enthusiasts who had originally played in local outfits such as the Southside Jug Band, the Fix, and the Pigboy Charlie Band. The original line-up included Lee Brilleaux (Lee Collinson, 10 May 1952, Durban, South Africa, d. 7 April 1994, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England; vocals/harmonica), Wilko Johnson (b. John Wilkinson, 12 July 1947, Canvey Island, Essex, England; guitar), John B. Sparks (bass), John Potter (piano) and Bandsman Howarth (b. Terry Howarth; drums). When the latter pair dropped out, the remaining trio recruited a permanent drummer in The Big Figure (b. John Martin).
 

Powerful and energetic, standout act with an ultra confident, no-holds-barred swagger.

Gerry Jablonski and the Electric Band have a unique trademark sound and style.

Their raw and crafty stage show takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride of dangerous, charming and gutsy music with hooks and melodies that cross genres and age groups.

“an absolutely refreshing and life affirming experience. The best band you never heard of” Classic Rock  Magazine

2018 Blues Awards - UK Blues Act of the Year

Live national TV appearances on STV

10 years road experience throughout Europe, UK and Scandinavia

Sellout headline shows for Jazz Scotland

5 self released albums

New single "Heavy Water" produced by Grammy award winning Stacy Parrish           

Critical praise in national music magazine features and reviews

New live album "LIVE at the Blue Note"

Radio play on BBC Radio 2

“This project has been slow cooking for nearly a decade. It’s something we’ve all been working towards and now finally we have a window to take this show on the road. We approached it in the spirit of  ‘The Band’. We'd write songs in the morning, recording them in the afternoon, swap instruments and just keep the tapes rolling.”

Since their chance meeting in Nashville 2011 the three have collaborated with one another in different formats. Individually each has travelled the world pursing their own musical endeavours and now for the first time they are joining forces as a single unit. The trio’s debut album (set for release 2021) features a collection of original material recorded in Nashville.

Martin Harley has created a significant impression on the blues, roots and Americana scene that can easily be measured by a growing global demand to attend his live shows, which include a full house at London's Union Chapel. He has toured extensively worldwide, released and co-produced eight independent albums. In 2019 Music Radar ranked him #5 in the world’s greatest blues guitarist poll. Total Guitar Magazine, rated him as one of the world’s greatest acoustic guitarists, he was nominated as Instrumentalist of the Year at the Americana Music Association Awards and the Guardian described him as “Spellbinding”.

Raised on American Roots music in and around Appalachia, Daniel Kimbro is a GRAMMY-nominated musician from Knoxville, TN with numerous recording credits and touring appearances. Splitting his time between Knoxville and Nashville, Daniel is a member of the Jerry Douglas Band, the Earls of Leicester, and the Transatlantic Sessions, and has appeared on stage with the likes of James Taylor, Alison Krauss, Sir Aly Bain, Cara Dillon, R.B. Morris, Maura O'Connell, and many others.

In 2016, Sari first burst onto the Blues-Rock scene with her critically acclaimed debut album, A Force of Nature, produced by iconic British Blues pioneer Mike Vernon (David Bowie, Eric Clapton, John Mayall, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Green).

Now, two years later, Sari is breaking new ground with her sophomore album, Never Say Never. Sari insisted that the album be recorded live to capture the raw energy of her music.  She has ventured deeper into her personal life. In the process, Sari has revealed herself with a vulnerability and honesty that she admits was as painful as it was healing. Her songs are highly crafted with vibrant lyrics that highlight just how good Sari is at invoking passion, grit, and empathy.

Sari’s success comes after years trudging the rugged road of life of the hard-working Blues woman. From her humble beginnings, working the music scene in the legendary fierce South Bronx of New York and on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, to a performance at Carnegie Hall, the operatically trained tornado stood her ground as a phenomenal Blues-Rock singer who would not be denied.

Sari’s home is her suitcase and her path has always taken her on the road less traveled. Her life is a story of never giving up, being true to yourself and pursuing your passions against all odds. It’s a story that is incredibly inspirational and a reminder why we should Never Say Never!

Support is provided by Ashley Sherlock Band

Memphis-based, GRAMMY®-nominated Southern Avenue inked their first record deal with legendary Stax Records in 2016. The first Memphis band signed to Stax in over 40 years, their self-titled debut was an immediate phenomenon, reaching #1 on iTunes’ “Top Blues Albums” chart before being honored with the 2018 Blues Music Award for “Best Emerging Artist Album.” 2019’s KEEP ON proved an even greater success, debuting among the top 5 on Billboard’s “Top Blues Albums” chart amidst worldwide critical acclaim, ultimately earning Southern Avenue their first GRAMMY® Award nomination, for “Best Contemporary Blues Album”.  

In addition to the early success that the band has had with their recordings, they have also found a home on the road. The band has performed in 15 countries on three continents and averages over 150 shows in a typical year, making the group one of the most sought-after live performance experiences.  Their high-energy shows have captivated audiences around the globe, making this eclectic group a must-see at venues and festivals alike. 

Support is provided by Paul Gemmil & The Black Magic Blues Band

Since bursting on to the UK Blues scene with their debut record ‘The Uprising EP’ in April 2019 followed by their second EP ‘Innocence Of Youth’ in May 2020, Grace and Aaron have been going from strength to strength. The British husband and wife duo have an ever-growing online fan base and have gained the attention of Cerys Matthews’ The Blues Show on BBC Radio 2.

Their unique harmonic vocal-led approach to song writing, dirty electric guitar, slide resonator mandolin and fiddle create a unique distinctive and contemporary blues rock sound that echoes 1970s classic rock with hints of the 1930s blues that inspire them.

In November 2020, they released their debut album ‘We Fly Free’, to critical acclaim from the UK radio and rock music magazine media.

In October, WRM’s first single from the album, ‘Battleground’, was added to the main playlist on the UK’s leading classic rock radio station Planet Rock. 

In late November, the band followed up with a second single, ‘Did I Break The Law’, that was played on BBC Radio 2’s The Rock Show with Johnnie Walker. The single was also played on Planet Rock throughout December 2020 and into January 2021.

The UK rock music press were unanimous by praising ‘We Fly Free’ as one of the most striking, refreshing, and impressive debut blues rock albums of 2020.

Vive Le Rock said that ‘We Fly Free’ was “urban blues with the brakes off,” and gave the album with a 9/10 rating, while Guitarist Magazine described at album as “electrifying, it’s a great debut.” Fireworks Magazine praised it as “One of the best blues rock albums of the year.”

On October 26th, ‘Battleground’ won “Tracks of the Week” on Classic Rock’s Louder Sound website, who described it as “Primal old-school blues (more John Lee Hooker than Stevie Ray Vaughan) – dressed up in biker leathers and wreathed in arthouse smoke.”

November 2020 saw two more accolades when WRM graced the magazine covers of Blues Matters and Blues in Britain featuring stylish photographs taken by one of the UK’s leading rock photographers, Rob Blackham. 

Blues Rock Review voted ‘We Fly Free’ #9 in their Top 20 Albums of 2020 poll.

The album was also made Rock and Blues Muse’s “Top 20 Blues, Rock and Roots Albums of 2020,” alongside Joe Bonamassa, Larkin Poe, Walter Trout, Shemekia Copeland, The Allman Betts Band, Marcus King, Kirk Fletcher, Savoy Brown, Bernard Allison, and King King.

Support is provided by Troy Redfern

 

    


 

You should already know these songs. If the old saying about talent equaling success were true, then The Steepwater Band would already be a household name, rubbing shoulders with Aerosmith, Bad Company and other like-minded travelers in our collective Rock 'n Roll Fantasy. But that's not how things always work, and this band knows it and still leans into it, smiling, with everything in them, not for brass rings and marquees, but because they must! For them, the music life is a calling and not some stupid costume one puts on to shake loose gold, fame, and groupies. In a land of caricatures, it's striking to come face-to-face with the real thing.

Something primal lurks in their music, but always wrestling with emotions and stories that are everyday-ready ~ music at once strut-inducing sexy and brass knuckles honest, a sound evolved smartly & patiently through countless gigs, running the bulls whenever and wherever they've been welcomed since 1998. AC/DC once said, "If you got the dollar, we got the song / Just wanna boogie woogie all night long," and The Steepwater Band surely embodies this lip-smacking urge to get some in this mean old world, befitting the group's Chicago roots and their earthy understanding of crackling city blues.

The abiding, resounding passion inside this band is never in question. Dive into their seemingly endless catalog of songs just about anywhere, and the heart and muscle pumping away inside every track are palpable and present in a most pleasing way. Their sound is like a soundtrack for arm wrestling The Devil and then drinking shots with him 'til sunrise after you've pinned him down. Their songs bridge the miles between lovers, throw lines to brothers and sisters in need of some understanding and a spark that makes them shuffle, eyes closed, shaking off the day's heavy load, ready for another round because the right song by the right band made them feel they had enough fight left in them. That's the kind of band you're dealing with here, and they'll be doing this long after all the pretty boys, package acts, and pretenders have left the stage.