With the busier Autumn period approaching, let’s take a look at the rest of the blues coming to AAC this Autumn/Winter.
The Cinelli Brothers | Saturday 20 August | £15
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The Cinelli Brothers is a project born out of a common passion for the electric Chicago and Texas blues from the 60s and 70s, when brothers Marco (guitarist and lead singer) and Alessandro (drummer) decided to form an explosive team showcasing original repertoire in the style of chess, stax and motown. Joining the two brothers on stage, Tom Julian-Jones on harmonica, guitar and vocals and Stephen Giry on bass, guitar and vocals.
On the 30th of November 2021 the band released their second album “Villa Jukejoint” in conjunction with a SOLD OUT show at the legendary 100 Club in London. Recorded at home with only 1 microphone, the record has a unique vintage and retro feel typical of the 50s and earlier 60s! February album of the month for the IBBA, which broadcasted a different song each week, the records has been featured magazines in the UK, Spain, and in the Netherlands, with fantastic reviews.
In 2020, 2021 and 2022 the band has been nominated for the UK Blues Awards as “Blues Band Of the Year”. In January this year the record “Villa Jukejoint” was nominated for the UK Blues Awards as “Blues Album Of the Year”.
The Cinelli Brothers champion a new generation of passionate musicians sharing in the love of blues, soul, R&B and the true authentic sounds that have made the blues a cornerstone of music history.
kAZ hAWKINS | fRIDAY 02 sEPTEMBER | £18
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Award winning Belfast singer/songwriter Kaz Hawkins isn’t just a classic blues interpretation. She is from a generation and culture where blues emotion is gladly mixed with a soul voice, gospel flights, some rock guitars and cry ballads. Discovered supporting Sir Van Morrison, she exploded onto the Irish blues scene winning numerous awards. She then began to win awards in the UK and was invited to represent the United Kingdom in Memphis and then again in Denmark where she became the first UK act to win at the European Blues Challenge in 2017. When she isn’t touring, you will hear Kaz as a presenter on BBC Radio with her show Kaz Hawkins Got The Blues or giving lectures for charities on using music as a mental health tool. Kaz will return to the UK after a 4 year hiatus with her French/Belgian band for some exclusive shows.
After moving to France in 2019, the French public fell in love with her heart-breaking hit ballads, Lipstick & Cocaine & Because You Love Me. Kaz then signed a record deal one year later with the famous Paris blues label Dixiefrog Records and cemented her life in France. Never forgetting what her UK fans have given her, Kaz can’t wait to return with new material, new stories and some good ole Belfast Craic.
‘Belfast’s finest blues export since Van Morrison’ Belfast Telegraph
‘If you can imagine a cross between Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin and Etta James, you’d be getting somewhere close to describing Kaz Hawkins’ Blues & Soul Magazine
cHANTEL mCGREGOR (SUPPORT: BLUE NATION) | fRIDAY 09 sEPTEMBER £17
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In previous years, Chantel stepped out in the pro-musician world and her stunning live performances demonstrated that she had the ability to perform rock for the new age, played by a musician born with an effortless virtuosity. Since then, she has built a loyal and growing fan base who follow her every move.
If you measure an artist’s prospects by the company they keep, then Chantel has been moving in the right direction. Early in her career, Chantel was invited to perform with Joe Bonamassa, on two of his UK tours.
Over lockdown, as well as the 2 albums, Chantel released a rock cover of ‘Stupid Love’ by Lady Gaga and had a track on ‘Gumbo Blues, a tribute to Dr John’, both through Cleopatra Records in the USA. She also released the single ‘I Will See’, which she co-wrote and recorded with David ‘Nova’ Nowakowski (Scars on 45).
Chantel is writing for her next studio album, and is debuting some of the new tracks on her tour which, is taking place throughout the UK.
Blue Nation are a 3 piece band from Birmingham. They use Riff based Melodic Blues Rock from a reservoir of influences, including Beatles, Cream, Zeppelin, Brit Pop 90s, more recently Rival Sons and Vintage Trouble, to create their memorable sound. Their songs are delivered by three accomplished musicians, fronted with stunning vocals. All backed up with impressive gig experience, stage presence and great songs.
Gerry Jablonski Band | Friday 16 September | £14
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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
Reunion: Dave Kelly, Bob Hall with Hilary Blythe
Thursday 06 october | £16
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Friends since the sixties, the UKs premier blues vocalist and guitarist Dave Kelly and blues & boogie pianist Bob Hall are together again.
Dave Kelly, outstanding singer, guitarist and songwriter, a founder member of The Blues Band, and five-times winner of the British Blues Connection ‘Acoustic Artist of the Year’ award; has played and recorded with Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker and the legendary Son House.
Bob Hall, acclaimed pianist, mandolinist, singer, and songwriter has occupied the piano chair for scores of US Blues legends. He is a prolific recording artist, founder member of Savoy Brown and the leader of Rocket 88 and The British Blues All Stars.
Hilary Blythe is an emotive and compelling singer and rock-solid bass player. A highly versatile artist, Hilary is the engine room of The A-Team which backs Lil’ Jimmy Reed on his European and North American tours.
Sari Schorr | Friday 21 October | £15
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Every year there is seemingly a constant parade of must-hear singers right? Not really. They come along rarely if they’re the real deal, as rarely as a seminal live album actually. Meet Sari Schorr. What makes her different is what makes all the others the same. She’s got talent, who hasn’t, but she has depth, life experience (like helping out in Haiti after the earthquake). She has real stories to tell. Sari is one of the few singers that can be, and is, mentioned in the same breath as Joplin. What you get is Blues with 3 Michelin Stars served in a New York diner. Don’t forget to leave a tip!
Sari’s brand-new, 12-track live album was recorded on the last tour and serves as a perfect illustration of why you’ll want to catch the next one. We are treated to the passion of original songs from her two studio albums and two reworked covers, Black Betty and I Just Want To Make Love To You, both hot favourites with audiences. These stunning live recordings from across Europe, along with two previously-unreleased acoustic tracks recorded for the BBC in the UK, truly make this album an object of desire. For Sari “there is an honestly in a live performance that allows me to be vulnerable and uncensored.”
We are in uncharted territory, and to use superlatives that have been wrongly applied to lesser performers in the past, mostly by ad agencies, would be to cheapen something exceptional. Perhaps the best words are actually the names of other exceptional artists Sari stands alongside, like Tina Turner, Elkie Brooks and the already mentioned Janice Joplin.
“Schorr can sing ‘em. the New Yorker makes you believe every stormy line” Classic Rock Magazine
“…one of the best contemporary blues rock singers in the world” Raw Ramp
The Hooten Hallers | Thursday 10 November | £14
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Columbia, Missouri trio The Hooten Hallers are a high-energy blues-rock band known for hard-traveling and wild live shows, with a seemingly endless tour schedule. The myriad of influences in their music incorporates elements of rhythm & blues, rock’n’roll, honky tonk, jazz, soul, and punk with a thematic penchant for the strange and the unexplained.
Their live shows take the listener on a seamless ride from unapologetically raucous blues on the lap steel and bass sax, to a sweet three part harmony country ballad, to a romping dance number. 2017’s self-titled album ‘The Hooten Hallers’ on Big Muddy Records, is the culmination of their experiences from a decade of performing and traveling together. They’ve injected the album with the stories and characters they’ve encountered over many years and miles. Produced by Johnny Walker (Soledad Brothers, All Seeing Eyes) and Kristo Baricevic (Big Muddy Records), the Hooten Hallers’ latest effort showcases their evolution as musicians and songwriters.
Listeners often detect hints of George Thorogood, Morphine, and Tom Waits, but anyone who has seen The Hooten Hallers live knows that this power trio is unlike anything they’ve experienced before. John Randall’s demonically-tinged vocals and manic guitar, and Andy Rehm’s screaming falsetto vocals and steady, pounding drum beat keep the band focused on their unique blend of deep blues and country punk. Kellie Everett brings the power with the deep rumble of her baritone and bass saxophones. When The Hooten Hallers come to town, you know it’s gonna be a party!
Aynsley Lister & Ian Parker | Saturday 03 December | £16
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Back in February 2007, when these two artists were on the Germany Blues Label Ruf Records, they did a tour together around the UK and Europe. The tour was called Doublevision, when each artist would do a short set each and then do a thirty-minute jam to end the night which was always a great crowd pleaser.
They did a few shows in the UK which were a great success, and have continued every year since except the lockdown years. This show at Arlington Arts is the ONLY UK show in 2022, a show not to be missed!