Clare Free is one
of the fastest rising stars on the blues circuit. After
playing piano for several years she took up guitar at 17
out of an obsession with writing songs. Soon she had a
teacher and he sent her to a blues jam session. This was
one of the scariest moments of Clare’s entire career,
she sat in on a song and was so nervous that she was
literally shaking all over. She played on a couple of
songs, her fingers trembling so much she didn’t play
very well, but the seed was sown. Clare is not someone
to be easily beaten so after the jam she went home, got
a load of blues music and practiced for hours every day
to learn to play the blues. The next month she went back
and played a little better.
Within 2 years she
had recorded her first EP and in three years she turned
pro. Her first band to see any level of success was
‘Misdemeanor’ where the line up included Matt Schofield,
Constance Redgrave and Maurice McElroy (now of the
Spikedrivers.)
After a while, Clare left to set
up her own band, during this time, although not with her
own band, Clare was given the opportunity to jam with
Larry Garner at the Lugano Blues Festival in
Switzerland, she did some trio gigs with Dana Gillespie
in India and was the opening act for three weeks at the
Mustique Blues Festival.
A year later, Clare was
asked to join a band called 99lbs which was a 9 piece
band. Soon, Clare and her husband David, welcomed their
daughter and then eighteen months later, their son into
the world. Then, suddenly, Clare became ill and was
unable to drive as a result. For two years she
re-directed her songwriting to writing music for
children writing two albums of children’s music in the
time she was away from gigging. She vowed that if, and
when, she was able to drive again she would record an
album that was full of music that she simply loved.
When she was back on the road she wasted no time,
the resulting album is ‘Be Who You Are’ which is a mix
of blues, rock and country and received excellent
reviews.
Clare’s musical roots have always been
in the blues so, having got Be Who You Are out of her
system she set about finding the perfect band members
for a great blues band. Pete Hedley was the obvious
choice for a drummer, he had played on Be Who You Are
and is an outstanding blues player. Both Clare and Pete
knew guitarist Matt Allen as an exceptional player so
when a space came up for a rhythm guitarist he was
called right away. It was Pete who introduced Clare to
bass player Dave Evans. Dave is from a funk background
which made him an ideal addition to the band as Clare’s
blues music tends towards a funky sound.
In
August 2010, the EP 'How It Is' was recorded and
released to massive critical acclaim. It is a reflection
of how the band sounds live and has been twice award
nominated both for the People’s Music Award and for the
British Blues Awards* Also, all four songs on the EP
reached the top ten in the blues chart with
international distributor CD Baby.
The Dukes have been plying
their trade around the pubs and clubs of Lincolnshire
for a very long time! The reason for their longevity is
very simple:
“They’re very good at what they
do!”
Guitarist Chris cut his teeth with the
legendary “Mezziah” in the 60’s and has also done stints
with notable local bands such as the “Dangerous
Brothers”, “Gringo” and the “Ooters”.
Drummer & vocalist
Tony was a founder member of the “Brothers Band” and
also performed with “High School” and the “Ooters”.
Bassist & vocalist Mike started out with “Hokey
Pokey” and has also spent time with “Fifth Avenue” and
the “Wizards of Bordeaux”.
A shared love of Texas
Roadhouse R&B brought them together, when Stevie Ray
Vaughn, Freddy King and other legendary bluesmen were a
staple of the set list. In addition to Eric Clapton and
Cream, you can expect some Big Bill Broonzy, Peter
Green, B.B.King and some ‘rocking’ blues!
Del Bromham
Del Bromham was and still is the
singer/songwriter and mainstay behind the band STRAY.
Making his first public performance at the age of
thirteen, he has seen and been through many musical
changes. Hear Del recounting stories from his long
career and playing a selection of songs, not only his
own compositions, but also others by artistes he feels
have been an influence on him. Del has been very busy
with STRAY recently, so this is a rare opportunity to
catch him in a solo acoustic performance. Del will
be promoting his solo blues based album titled ‘The
Devil’s Highway,’ recently released on Angel Air
Records, which has received excellent reviews by the
music press.
Jo Harman’s evocative voice, and compelling stagecraft,
has seen her dubbed one of the most exciting singers of
her generation.
From initial attention grabbing
performances at The Great Escape (music industry)
Festival and headlining prestigious London clubs like
the acclaimed 606 and award winning Hideaway (where she,
and they, cut their first ever live album), Jo and her
top class band (whose CV's include the likes of Bob
Dylan, Jessie J, BB King, Beyonce, Sting, Bowie and
more) have been making waves of the 2011 festival
circuit, including appearances at Chagstock, Meadowlands
and North Devon Festival. Wholly positive reviews and
growing airplay internationally, 3 separate BBC
Introducing sessions, an increasingly impressive gig
roster and prestigious support slots for the likes of
Marlena Shaw, Terry Callier and Average White Band
(where she supported them three times on their recent UK
tour), have only added to Jo's growing reputation as a
blues, gospel and soul fuelled singer of exceptional
promise.
Having already worked with Grammy
Winning and double Grammy nominated producers, Jo is
currently recording tracks with Al Scott (Levellers,
Oyster band, Eliza Carthy) with a view to releasing a
debut studio EP later in the year.
''Outstanding''
- Time Out
Poplar Jake
Poplar Jake's musical journey began with the blues.
As a teenager, he was the kid who held up the queue
of Saturday record buyers while a dubious assistant
searched for re-pressings of ancient discs by
long-dead black guys with the most unlikely names;
Big Bill Broonzy, Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf...boy's
gotta be kidding, right?
Several years, various musical detours and not a few
adventures later, Poplar Jake is right back where he
started: deep in the blues. Only this time, he's
taking it out to a newly-discovered, willing
audience.
And it's working. Little by little, blues lovers
across the country are waking up to what "ol'
Poplar" is putting down. In the North of England,
he's opened for Mitch Laddie and attracted a
following of his own. In his own neighbourhood,
younger musicians press him for tips. In Holland, he
strode onstage at the Crossed Guitars Festival in
front of a crowd demanding blistering hard
rock...and tore the roof off with his own blend of
old school blues.Jake has a busy 2012 ahead on the UK festival
circuit and blues clubs across the UK and Europe.
His debut CD, "Ridin' The Blinds", shows how
"that old stuff" can still be fresh and exciting,
with several radio stations asking for a copy before
it was even pressed.Jake has put down several live Radio sessions
across the country and has a healthy air play
schedule on both local and international shows.
But that's just a taster. The live act continues
apace, and there's a full-length album in progress.
Newly formed trio featuring Tyne Delta
musicians Richie Young (Vocals & percussion),
Jim Macara (Guitars) and Ceri Payne (Guitar &
Vocals) to create rock n roll music with Sun
Studios era ‘feel’ Enigmatic vocalist Richie
Young and emotive guitarist Jim Macara of Alive
& Kickin’ fame join forces with aficionado
guitarist Ceri Payne to create an acoustic
journey, Memphis style Playing authentic
instruments, Gibson, Martin and Dobro guitars
and taking their lead from early Presley &
Johnny Cash numbers through T Bone Walker & Big
Bill Broonzy blues rolling into Dylan/The
Band/Stones & JJ Cale to contemporary country
Lyle Lovett & the Union Station, to create a
stripped back timeless Americana sound .
