Headliners
Paul Rose
Paul Rose is without doubt one of the most unique and talented guitarists in the world today. Fundamentally a rock guitarist, his extraordinary playing style touches on blues, country, jazz and folk, blended together into a style that is entirely his own. Never a gig goes by where audience members don’t comment that Paul is the best guitarist they’ve seen & heard.
Born in Newcastle, north east England in July 1966, Paul’s natural gift shone through at an early age, and he was already being hailed as one of the best guitarists in the region by the age of 16. Playing regularly on the Newcastle live scene with the most popular local bands of the day.
Rory Gallagher awarded Paul a Fender. ’62 Reissue Strat. with a Vox AC30. in a Fender. sponsored competition that invited guitarists from all over the UK to appear in local music shops. Entrants were required to play in front of a video camera using the guitar and amp in question (without any pedals), to be edited and shown to Rory at a later date. Out of 1000 guitarists Rory selected Paul as the winner and described him as “a hot player with a hot future”. Having also won Guitarist Of The Year in Guitarist Magazine a couple of years later, it is plainly obvious that Paul is a force to be reckoned with.
Despite all the accolades of this era, Paul was battling with his own personal demons, and as a result suffered seemingly countless disappointments and setbacks during his early career. But now, Paul is going from strength to strength, having released a total of nine solo albums to date, that have sold worldwide to an ever increasing circle of fans. Coupled with his stunning live shows built on 25 years of tough performing experience, Paul is now gaining the worldwide recognition he deserves.
Recognised as an electric guitarist, Paul has recently been playing many solo gigs with nothing but an acoustic guitar and a sample pedal to promote his first ever acoustic CD ‘The Learning Curve’. These gigs have been very well received indeed, with one reviewer writing “this is a truly world class guitarist at the very top of his game”. This is not to say Paul has totally turned his back on the Fender guitars he loves so well, in fact quite the contrary.
Along with the release of a live DVD of Paul’s amazing show at the “Blues Will Eat” festival in Nuremberg, 2009 also sees the release of Paul Rose’s 9th CD entitled “Note To Self”. This is a remarkable album that comes straight from the heart of this highly talented and experienced artist. With thirteen truly inspired tracks covering an absolute myriad of musical influences and styles, showcasing once again that Paul Rose is indeed improving with age.
Paul is now breaking into the German market having played several highly successful tours there over the last 2 years, combined with the new CD & DVD. It is looking highly likely that Paul is facing a future just as spectacular as his musical gift.
Northsyde
Northsyde started life in 2004 as Funkydory, an incendiary unit combining the fiery passion of Lorna Fothergill’s vocals and songwriting with the forceful grooves of rhythm section Hayden Doyle (drums) and Ian Mauricio (bass). Intertwined, the virtuoso guitar playing of one of Britain’s best young guitar players, Jules Fothergill, completes the lineup to create a band who, since their first gig, have generated a loyal following throughout the UK and Europe. Playing everywhere from the London Ealing Festival to Holland’s Queensday festival in Eindhoven, their live performances have earned them rave reviews and a firm place in the festival circuit. With the release of their latest album, Mercy’s Medicine, the band look forward to continuing their success through 2010… “This band took my breath away… great original material… I am going to see this band again, be there!” – Blues in Britain Mag.
Cherry Lee Mewis
CHERRY LEE MEWIS is the latest starlet from the burgeoning UK’s rock/blues conveyer belt.
‘Cherry is ballsy, soulful, flirtatious’ Classic Rock
Championed by Imelda May, Seasick Steve and Walter Trout, CHERRY LEE MEWIS is a 5ft nothing 24-year old white girl from north Wales who has helped turn roots ‘n’ blues music into a cool, swinging fusion that’s both classic and stylishly modern.’
“Cherry is Britain’s modern answer to Bonnie Rait” -says Blues Matters – but she belts out the blues much harder than and and has a salt shaker full of soul.
Or as CML herself says;
‘Many of the oldest blues records contain gritty, realistic lyrics, no censored versions! I put my whole self into every single one of these tracks, I feel like I’m inside of them’
CLM’s second album Southbound Train was released in January 2010 and is a heady mix of foot-stomping barnburners to bluesy slow-cooked rockers with a spoonful of jazzy shuffle, supported by a band of slick smokin’ musicians.
She’s a blues shouter like Connie Lush, she’s got the passion of Janis Joplin, the power of TinaTurner, the feel of Bonnie Raitt, and the explosive on stage attitude of Suzi Quarto (don’t laugh!) and hell, she’s got the blues!
Ladies & gentleman, we give you CHERRY LEE MEWIS: HOW CAN YOU RESIST?
Gerry Jablonski & The Electric Band
Check this out – Gerry Jablonski, the (almost) legendary guitar hero has come up with a masterpiece recording of 9 new original tunes. With the powerful and dynamic rhythm section of Dave Innes on drums and Grigor Leslie on bass, Polish blues harp prodigy Peter Narojczyk takes on guitar master Gerry in an exciting showcase of raw and honest talent.
If you have never seen Gerry Jablonski perform live you owe it to yourself to check this guy out – he is the hardest working entertainer in showbiz and always delivers when it comes to displaying electrifying blues rock and the well honed stagecraft of a seasoned performer. With the Electric Band, the blues just got dangerous again. Blending blues roots with the influences of Classic Rock Gerry and the boys make this a blistering powerhouse of a British Blues band.
Already people are taking notice of this band with appearances at Jools Holland’s Jamhouse for the Edinburgh fringe festival, Wizard Festival, Colne’s Great British Blues festival and dates throughout the UK.
“Ending on Merchant of Souls Jablonski & The Electric Band showed Wizard exactly what it means to eat, sleep and breathe rock & roll”. (Eoin Smith)
“For me this album is phenomenal in all aspects…” (Elias. T. Hoth)
“The record is sure to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck…”(Eoin Smith)
“I’m impressed by how he’s matured into a restrained player and expressive singer-valuing tone over flash”. (Duncan Jamieson, Blues Matters Magazine)