Led by the charismatic force of Phil Hughes, 11 Foot Sack is a powerhouse of blues, gospel, soul, and everything in between. Taking their name from on old Mose Allison tune, “putting that cotton in an eleven foot sack…twelve gauge shot gun at my back…” the band are sure to get you up and dancing on some of the more racy numbers, and will then leave you speechless as Phil transports you to another time and place with his very, very fine gospel singing. Bit different to some of the other blues out there, definitely worth coming along!

Back by popular demand! A fusion of funk, soul and rock – driven by infectious grooves and led by stunning vocals – this is the unique sound of Rapid City. Rapid City loves to generate live energy with music that gets an audience on its feet. Fronted up by the powerful sound generated by three brothers, weaving vocal melodies and harmonies together in a style all their own; the whole is completed with drums and bass driving an ever-changing pulse of grooves, overlaid with raw guitar licks.

Rapid City is a convergence of inspiration from musicians of varied roots, which perhaps goes some way to explain their unique sound. As well as funk, soul and rock the band also draws influences from a range of r&b, jazz, reggae and latin music. They have evolved their original material over the years to a sound which is both contemporary and derivative, combining a looseness of form with tightness in delivery – a combination which betrays its origins in the original funk movement.

The Nigel Price Organ Trio – winners of the 2010 Parliamentary Jazz Awards
for ³best jazz ensemble is led by one of Britain¹s finest guitarists Nigel
Price – ex James Taylor Quartet and also a regular performer at Ronnie
Scott¹s.
His blend of flowing bebop lines, blues feeling and the will to swing has
made him instantly accessible and popular with jazz audiences.

Phenomenal drummer Matt Home has toured with Barry Harris,Herb Geller,Scott
Hamilton,Howard Alden Ken Peplowski,Jim Mullen, and many others.He is also a
house band regular at Ronnie Scott’s club and currently the drummer with Ray
Gelato.

Dynamic organist Pete Whittaker, one of the few players who actually brings
the real thing to gigs, has been involved with many jazz projects including
Theo Travis’ “Double Talk” and guitarist John Etheridge’s “Blue Spirits”.
The band will be playing hard swinging jazz including material from the
recent album ³Nigel Price Organ Trio  Live!² (Jazzizit records)

Roll on our weekly Blues Jam.

Strap on your guitars, grab your drum sticks and warm up your vocal chords!

Musos turn up by 7.30pm to sign up, everyone else, the fun and games begin at 8pm.

Led by our resident New Orleans wizard Hugo ‘Teddy” Simmonds,

expect a night of old school New Orleans Dixie, Swing and Jazz.

Rollo Markee Started playing Blues at the age of seventeen having been inspired by his mentor Julius Junior. Twenty years on he has developed a rich, passionate and authentic blues voice. His valve amplified Harp playing is full of tone, style and energy. Working as a musician an actor and a dancer has made Rollo the consummate Frontman, engaging with and enthusing audiences. This has won him admirers across Europe.

Immersed in Black American music and culture from a very young age, Franck developed a passion for singing and playing guitar at the age of 12.

His love of music continued throughout his childhood and led him to become a professional musician in 1985. A year later he was booked as the opening act for the major American blues artist LUTHER ALLISON. In 1988 Franck won a prize at NEW YORK’s famous APOLLO THEATER amateur night show and he became subsequently a frequent guest at the show.

Following several performances at a festival in Harlem, he got the opportunity to play in various New York clubs. This led to TV interviews for NBC in New York and ABC in California. As well gigs in New York, Franck was also booked regularly at clubs and festivals throughout Europe.

In Switzerland Franck performed in a show that was recorded and broadcasted regularly on the European MCM and Muzzik TV channels. As support act Franck Ash was booked for : DR. JOHN (88), ROBERT CRAY (95 & 2001), ROBBEN FORD (99), TAJ MAHAL (2000). Alongside the work with his own band, Franck was also invited to become the band leader and guitar player for the great SCREAMIN’ JAY HAWKINS. This lasted up until Screamin’Jay’s passing in February 2000. They toured Europe and US (13th CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL), recorded two album : “At Last” in MEMPHIS Sam Phillips studio, and “LIVE AT THE OLYMPIA” in Paris France, where the concert was recorded. In 1996 Franck appeared in a TV SHOW celebrating the closing ceremony of the Atlanta Olympic Games. As part of the same production, he also recorded several interviews and performed a further concert. In 1999, Franck’s debut album “THIS MUST BE LOVE” was released to critical acclaim across the international Blues and Soul scene, resulting in an award from the French Academy Of Jazz and an award as 2000 BEST EUROPREAN ARTIST by Euroblues. Franck’s live performances are full of energy and virtuosity, making him a regular guest at festivals throughout Europe and North America.

Franck continues to develop a unique and versatile repertoire. The underlying heritage of Franck’s music is the Blues, with a fusion of Soul, R’nB and Funk, resulting an original sound that is inimitably his own style. You can continue to discover the wonderful music of Franck Ash on his latest album, “BEYOND THE CLOUDS”, which he released in 2003, and confirms his status as one of the finest Blues artists at work in Europe today.

Canadian born singer-guitarist Jimmy C learned his chops playing on the West Coast of America, from home-town Vancouver to San Francisco. Having moved to Japan in 1996 Jimmy eventually linked up with American singer Mississipi John L Watson and was persuaded to record with him in London in 1999.

These guys are some of the most entertaining musicians we’ve ever had!

Yes it’s that time again.

Musos turn up at 7.30pm to sign up.

Everyone else the fun and games start at 8pm