Coming to The Musician in January 2019

Swinging Jazz in the style of Django Rheinhardt and the Hot Club of France. Featuring Will Smith (guitar), Arthur Tyers (guitar), Kenny Wilson (accordion/vocals) and Mike Whittle (double bass/vocals).

One of the finest female singer/songwriters this country has produced in years. Edwina brings together English folk, Americana and the rich Northern singer/songwriter tradition to create a sound that’s truly her own.

Highly accomplished, she’s toured with such notable performers as Jools Holland, Van Morrison, Nanci Griffith and Loudon Wainwright III to name just a few.

Edwina numbers Michael Parkinson and Mike Harding among her fans and the title track of her album Pour Me A Drink was covered by Nanci Griffith who calls her "the sweetest voice in England."

Her cover of the Randy Newman song Feels Like Home was featured in the Cameron Diaz film My Sister's Keeper and has since had over ten million plays on Spotify and over thirty million plays on You Tube.

Edwina's 4th album Ruby Rose was released in December 2021.

"The sweetest voice in England. A wonderful young woman, so gifted and full of song." - Nanci Griffith

"Haunting, honeyed, solo songwriter." - The Guardian

Well, what can one say about this young man?
Phenomenon, instrumental virtuoso, off the scale - all superlatives have been exhausted in describing Tim's enormous musical talent.

“Tim Edey is brilliant – in every which way. As a guitarist he has few peers. As a box player he’s a magician. As a character he’s off the scale – Colin Irwin, fRoots
“Utterly fantastic. Sheer, wonderful ebullient music” – Mike Harding “Tim Edey plays a host of different instruments to a standard us mere mortals can only dream of. Listen and weep”- Jim Byrne, The Living Tradition
Tim Edey was voted BBC Radio Two’s Musician of the year 2012 (BBC R2 FOLK AWARDS) and “Best duo” with Brendan Power. Tim is a multi-instrumentalist and singer and has toured the world and recorded with most of the major names in Celtic/Contemporary roots music including; The Chieftains, Dougie MacLean, Christy Moore, JP Cormier, Frankie Gavin, Sharon Shannon

He came to play two shows at the Acoustic Music Centre during the recent Edinburgh Festival Fringe when numerous people who weren't so familiar with his work came to have 'a look'. Everyone left Tim's shows just simply shaking their heads in amazement with jaws dropping thuddingly to the floor!

LOOMA
Three parts English, one part Orkney, Looma play acoustic roots and folk music from the swamps of Louisiana to the Swedish midnight sun, and everywhere in between. Bringing together folk, blues, cajun, bluegrass and country traditions, as well as original songs, Looma mix driving energy with strong vocals and foot-tapping tunes.

Looma are:
Liz Logie Piano Accordion and percussion
Mark Theobald Harmonica, Ukelele, Vocals
Bob Gilmour-Evans Guitar, Vocals
Tim Garland Cittern Fiddle, Vocals

Liz is an Orcadian who has played the accordion since she was ten, being inspired to play by her father who was a well-known Orkney accordion player.

Mark was a National Harmonica League 'Player of the Year' in 2013 and 2014, playing Irish and blues music.

Bob has been performing and writing songs since he was a teenager. He has recorded his own album and guested on several others. Many artists have covered his songs.

Tim has been performing traditional and self penned material for over thirty years, both as a founder member of radical folk group FIELDWORK and with KASUTIMA Ceilidh band, playing nationally at clubs, festivals and on national and local radio. He has also performed regularly as a solo artist and in a duo with Indian percussionist Nitin Odedra. He has made five albums with FIELDWORK and two solo albums.

The Dirt Road Band is the brainchild of guitar legend Steve Walwyn, mainly known as the longest serving guitar player in Dr Feelgood (32yrs). During this time he amassed a massive reputation as a bona fide blues hero in the UK, Europe and beyond. He says "I'd always liked the idea of the power trio - stripping everything back to the basics: guitar, bass & drums. To help him in this he as recruited the services of drummer Ted Duggan, professional since the 60's including stints with Badfinger and techno giants Banco de Gaia. "I'd worked with Ted before" Steve says, "I knew he would fit this gig perfectly" ...he certainly does.

Bass player Horace Panter is better known as a founding member of The Specials. Horace has "groove" printed on his DNA, holding it down comes as second nature. This then is Steve's dream team rhythm section that swings as hard as it rocks. "We're starting to develop that musical telepathy that makes a band more than the sum of its' parts. It's a thrilling thing and keeps the blues alive".

See you down the dirt road ....

Storm Warning - are lauded by the UK blues press as one of the classiest contemporary blues bands in the UK, playing superbly crafted original blues rock songs and breathing new life into blues standards. This year the band were voted ‘Best Band’ on the Saturday Introducing Stage at The Great British Rock & Blues Festival.

Ex Mick Ralphs Band vocalist Son Maxwell and guitarist Bob Moore, lead the band backed by Ian Salisbury on keys, Derek White (Larry Miller band) on bass and ex Mick Clarke band drummer Russ Chaney.

Storm Warning have recorded four CDs, all receiving critical acclaim and tracks have been played on radio stations across the world including BBC Radio 2 for whom they also recorded a live session which was broadcast on the Paul Jones blues programme.

Sally Barker, Anna Ryder & Marion Fleetwood perform as IOTA

The 'Voice 2014' finalist Sally Barker brings her new trio, IOTA, to Leicester's Musician venue.

The quirky IOTA merge the solo talents of Tom Jones-mentored Sally Barker with multi-instrumentalists Anna Ryder and Marion Fleetwood.

All three play guitars, sing and write the songs as well as performing a smattering of well chosen cover tunes. Midlands musicians Anna and Marion also play cello, French horn, keyboards, fiddle, accordion and banjo.

Individually they are highly skilled performers, admired by many fellow musicians, together their mix of sublime harmonies, humour, poignant songs and whacky sense humour bring us a fabulous new band !!

Sally Barker (vocal, guitar & percussion) sang to millions as Tom Jones' finalist on The Voice UK but the singer-songwriter has entertained for years as a member of revered fem-folk group The Poozies, of the re-formed Fotheringay and as a solo artist supporting Bob Dylan, Robert Plant and Richard Thompson. Sally Barker brings any song gloriously to life.

Anna Ryder (vocal, keys, accordion, guitar, dumbek, banjo & french horn) is a musical dynamo; an original and inventive singer-songwriter with a musical style that, although based in folk, spans an array of genres. Amongst others Anna has worked with Fairport Convention, Eddi Reader, Julianne Regan (All About Eve).

With a voice which has been described as 'mesmerising' and 'siren-esque', the blazingly dynamic Marion Fleetwood (vocal, fiddle, cello, guitar & percussion) is a highly respected multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter. Best known as a member of TRADarrr and as a former member of ColvinQuarmby and The Jigantics.

All three write, sing and sway in perfect harmony and each is a seasoned performer of the UK Folk/Rock scene.

IOTA evoke the spirit and musical energy of the Roches whilst channelling the Supremes, Destiny's Child and Charlie's Angels!!

“I’m so excited that three of my favourite singer/songwriters and performers have formed this great new trio. They are fab!! And I love all of em”
Dave Pegg of Fairport Convention

facebook.com/iotaband
Instagram I O T A Band
twitter @I_O_T_A_band

Stevie Jones and The Wildfires
are a well-established Northamptonshire based 4 piece band who deliver their own unique blend of modern alternative rock centred around powerful acoustic-based songwriting. With a number of line up changes over the last decade they have received favourable reviews and airplay including BBC Introducing, Planet Rock and BBC Radio Scotland. Their third studio album ‘Clarity In Dusk’ produced by Adam Ellis at Deadline Studios Leicester is out now. With much of it written during lockdown inspired by late countryside walks and covers a range influences including Ryan Adams, Counting Crows and Porcupine Tree.

“their sound is very much their own and I can’t think of anyone writing today that has such poetry in the lyrics or the ability to back them up” Andy Snipper, Blues Matters Magazine

The Fazed
are an independent 4 piece indie/rock band that thrive on writing and performing soulful, melodic, beat driven orginal rock n roll.
They have extensive live performance experience showcasing their material at venues and festivals across the UK. Their 2023 single One More Night has recently featured on BBC Introducing and BBC Radio. The band consists of Dave Sherratt (vocals/guitar), Anthony Fox (bass), Adam Plumb (lead guitar) and Ritchie Whitehead (drums).

Amy Dx.
Local artist influenced by a wide range of indie/rock and grunge bands, Amy's debut album 'Time' draws upon her influences creating a unique blend of ethereal vocals with an alternative rock sound.

With a full band backing her on stage this year, they put on a great set of originals and have also been experimenting with playing some great covers by PJ Harvey, fleetwood Mac Florence and the machine, and skunk Anansie. Debut album TIME is available on all platforms - https://ditto.fm/time-amy-dx

The Strange Doors are a Doors tribute band that takes you back in time by recreating the sights and sounds of the legends you know and love. This band doesn’t just replicate the studio versions of Doors classics; we actually recreate the live Doors experience. Here you will find ad-libbed poetry, a singer that jumps into the air and writhes on the floor (whilst conjuring the Lizard King with his rich baritone voice), jazzy organ solos, bluesy slide guitar and powerful, yet subtle drumming that punctuates the music and vocals. Like a gig by the real Doors, a Strange Doors gig has an air of unpredictability... audiences are kept guessing what to expect next. The atmosphere is charged with the darkness and feeling of menace that only Doors music can provide.

The Strange Doors will take you on a journey into the severed garden... fires will be lit and lizards will be celebrated!

The 15th annual fundraiser in support of ProstAid

“Loving the Blues”
In the words of the great blues man John Lee Hooker in 1997 “ British guys made ‘ The Blues’ a big thing, It was originally our music, it was those guys in England who made it big”.
Acoustic and Electric Blues –from the Mississippi Delta through the streets of Memphis & Chicago, this dynamic show rolls out the songs these guys heard, developed and gave back to The USA.

Exciting, up-coming Leicester multi-genre three-piece, Kafkadiva, released their new album ‘Dysfunctionormal’ in September 2018 and have chosen The Musician as the perfect venue to perform the album live for the first time!

This experienced trio of local musicians, namely Louise Wilson (guitars, lead vocals), Steve Chilton (bass) and Tony Norris (drums), have already made a name for themselves since coming together in 2016, organically growing a loyal fan-following who are drawn to their relatable - and often wry - lyrics, and diverse musical sound and style.

‘Dysfunctionormal’ is the second album from Kafkadiva and follows the well-received debut release, ‘Big Toes and Fingers’. The new all original twelve-track LP features the deliciously bluesy, riff-based title track, along with the radio-friendly and melodic ballad, ‘How Long’, and the deeply emotive ‘Catch Me’. As is the case with the album, Kafkadiva’s live set will ensure a journey through many different genres whilst remaining recognisably Kafkadiva.

As Louise would say, “Our sound is always led by wherever the song takes us. Why be ‘samey’ when you can be different?”

Come along and find out for yourselves!

www.kafkadiva.com www.kafkadiva.bandcamp.com

Royal Monster are cemented as the definitive tribute to Royal Blood, after receiving praise from Royal Blood following a surprise appearance by Mike and Ben at the tribute band's Brighton show in 2018. Royal Monster emerged in 2016 and quickly gained a following of hungry Royal Blood fans looking for the next best thing. Armed with backing vocalists and 90 minutes of live material, Royal Monster deliver the same scuzzy riffs and blustering intensity that fans love.

One Step Behind is the UK's Premier and longest surviving MADNESS tribute band. Formed in spring 1993, the band achieved widespread recognition in an unusually short time, playing venues the length and breadth of Britain including the Marquee Club in London & the Venue in New Cross. Jaunts into Europe and beyond are also common place. Members of Madness have joined the One Step boys on stage on a number of occasions. Sax player Lee Thompson has played a few times commenting the band were “Tight as a ducks arse” and “Brilliant”. Lee is also quoted as saying that OSB were “single handily keeping the good ship Madness afloat”. Drummer Dan “Woody” Woodgate joined the band on stage for “One Step Beyond” and told the boys he thought they were amazing.

JFK Blue are a stylish rock/blues band with a fresh take on well-crafted rock and blues, with stirring songs and superb musicianship. These are musicians with one aim - to play their style of blues and rock with freedom of expression, not getting hung up on genres but to play music that they like. In doing so their music is contemporary yet has an assured retro feel audiences immediately identify with.

For up to date info and news please join The City Acoustic Club Facebook group!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Liela Moss show has been cancelled and refunds are available from all points of purchase.

A true Americian country blues great.

Kent Duchaine's musical nomadic life started over thirty years ago in Minnesota where he played with Kim Wilson before Wilson moved to Texas to form the Fabulous Thunderbirds.
Kent honed his guitar skills playing with Lazy Bill Lucas, Boogie Woogie Red, Luther Tucker, Big Walter Horton, Hubert Sumlin, Eddie Burns and Margie Evans.

In the early 1990's he spent three years traveling and playing with the legendary bluesman Johnny Shines. Duchaine's guitar playing is rooted in the styles of Robert Johnson, Lightning Hopkins, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, Bukka White and Elmore James. He has a ferociously wild slide technique that exudes a frenzied power and he can switch gears in the wink of an eye to play some beautiful acoustic melodies.