Events

Monday 4th May 2009 - EDDIE MARTIN
Tuesday 5th May 2009 - GARY POTTER
Tuesday 26th May 2009 - IAN SHAW
Sunday 21st June 2009 - EUGENE HIDEAWAY BRIDGES

Tuesday 5th May 2009 - GARRY POTTER

Gary Potter is regarded as one of the greatest jazz and country guitarists in the world. He enjoys high acclaim in the United States, Australia and Europe.

He is in constant demand all over the UK and works as a solo performer or lead guitarist with his trio, quartet or larger combos. He is a guitarist who is melodic, lyrical and imaginitive, with perfect rhythmic sense.

His playing is influenced by players such as Django Reinhardt - Gary featured in the Channel 4 film 'The Django Legacy' - and Charlie Parker, yet his approach to playing jazz guitar, both acoustic and amplified, is sufficiently original to give him an identity that is all his own.

"When you see this guy, you probably won't believe it - one of the best players I've seen in years." Benny Green

"A talent and name to note and mark." Humphrey Littleton - BBC Radio 2 Jazz

"That guy can really play." Birelli Lagrene

"I'm going home to burn my Maccafferi guitar after seeing Gary play." Joe Brown - The Bruvvers

"Gary is a heck of a guitar player. He executes his ideas so very well. I wish I could do that in alive situation." Chet Atkins

"One of the most wonderful guitarists in the world." Martin Taylor

"He's a genious." Digby Fairweather, BBC Radio 2 Jazz Notes

"He's brilliant." George Harrison

"George Harrison got me into jazz guitarists like Django Reinhardt and Gary Potter." Gary Moore

Monday 4th May 2009 - EDDIE MARTIN

Master guitarist/blues harp player and fine vocalist Eddie Martin and his band launch their new album "Contrary Mary" on the Blue Blood Label.

Ripping slide guitar and a genre-sweep from classic rock to country blues-rock map the contours of the latest tough but slick album from the UK songwriter Eddie Martin.

Master-class chops on guitar and harmonica are to be expected now from this highly-rated multi-instrumentalist with eight critically-acclaimed albums under his belt, and 2 years spent learning his trade in Texas!

‘His playing is so assured you’d swear he was from Texas’ – Austin City Limits

Tuesday 26th May 2009 - IAN SHAW

"Best Jazz Vocalist" at the BBC Jazz Awards in 2007 and 2004, Ian Shaw has already amassed a number of highly acclaimed albums and is a popular performer both in the UK and the US. An incredibly colourful character, he has been cited, along with Mark Murphy and Kurt Elling, as one of the world's finest male jazz vocalists.

Shaw is a regular on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 4 and his new album "Lifejacket" has cemented his reputation as a fine song-writer as well as a great jazz singer.

Here’s what the critics say of “Lifejacket”:

“if "Lifejacket" doesn't end up at or very near the top of this year's jazz vocal roster, I'll eat my iPod.” Jazz Times, USA

“a convincing album of originals . . . a reminder of what an important talent he is” **** Observer Music Monthly

“a profoundly sophisticated artist with a broad grasp of music's mechanics, as well as an affecting, emotional and sometimes very funny singer - never has trouble with the hardliners” The Guardian

“this is a gem of a recording, and hopefully not a one-off peek at Shaw the singer-songwriter. More, please.” Jazzwise

Sunday 21st June 2009 - EUGENE HIDEAWAY BRIDGES

Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges spends a lot of his life on the road travelling across many continents taking his music near and far. He is recognised as one of the top blues festival performers in the world. He has been nominated for 2 awards at the Blues Foundation awards this year which are; Best soul blues artist of the year and best soul blues album of the year.