Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival

The Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival 2010 is set to hit all the right notes for music fans across the city and beyond this summer.

The Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival will be celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2010, with a line-up of eclectic music events scheduled across the city from Saturday 24 July to Sunday 1 August 2010.

This year’s rhythm and blues extravaganza has been arranged alongside the Summer in Gloucester celebrations, with organisers promising an exciting mix of local, national and international artists performing across Gloucester’s pubs, bars and outdoor spaces.

Festival programmer Tim Porter said: ‘Gloucester has a long a rich association with blues music, and the festival is a highlight in the European blues calendar, bringing visitors to the city from all across the UK and beyond to enjoy great live bands and performers and to soak up the festival’s warm and welcoming atmosphere.’

As all of this year’s events are completely free of charge, the Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival will putting smiles on many a music loving face.

Saturday 24 July 2010

Kicking off The Rhythm & Blues Festival will be Paul Lamb and The Kingsnakes’ anticipated 7pm performance at Music in the Park. Described as Europe’s foremost blues harmonica exponent, organisers say ‘Paul Lamb has forged himself a place in the history books as one of the greatest players of our time’.

At 9pm the music continues with the chance to catch the good time blues guitarist, and Festival favourite the D. B. Smith Band at Pig Inn The City.

Sunday 25 July 2010

Local talent Steve Kent will be starting the Sunday afternoon music at 4pm at Pig Inn The City – followed by mandocello player and seven-string guitarist, the Dan James Duo, at 6pm.

Monday 26 July 2010

Former frontman with Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, Mike Sanchez will be making a return to Café René at 9pm. Organisers say: ‘There are few piano players around who play the authentic style of boogie and rock and roll to such a high standard – he never fails to get the joint jumping’. See Cafe Rene Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival for more information.

Tuesday 27 July 2010

Bridget and The Big Girls Blues will be on stage at Cross Keys Inn at 9pm, performing early blues and jazz from artists such as Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday.

Willie and The Bandits will be holding up the Café René crowd from 9pm, giving blues a unique hip hop and reggae groove. See Cafe Rene Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival for more information.

Wednesday 28 July 2010

The Centre for African-American Music at Gloucester Library will be hosting a free music workshop at 11am, lead by American Piedmont-style guitarist Michael Roach and UK finger style guitar wizard Sonny Black. A free concert will follow at 1pm. Booking is required by calling (01452) 503775.

Cool Hand, comprised of Festival favourites Chris Willey and Pete Heyward, will be taking the Pig Inn The City crowd on a musical journey through the history of rhythm and blues from 8.30pm

At 9pm, Cross Keys Inn will be hosting a Festival Blues Jam with Mark Cole and the Sons of The Delta, with an open invitation for local musicians to come and play.

While the ever unique Will Killeen will also be giving an Irish roots tinged performance at Café René from 9pm. See Cafe Rene Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival for more information.

Thursday 29 July 2010

Stuart Earl and Mark Cole will be performing at the Centre for African-American Music at Gloucester Library from 1pm to 2pm.

From 8.30pm, The Worried Men will be singing the blues at Pig Inn The City, with Hendrix, The Feelgoods, Eddie Cochrane, and Deep Purple numbers particular highlights.

Gloucester guitarist the Steve Browning Band will be blending blues and jazz from 9pm at Cross Keys Inn.

While Café René will see the Keith Thompson Band cranking out flaw-free blues into the wee hours, from 9pm. See Cafe Rene Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival for more information.

Friday 30 July 2010

The Ragtime Jug Orchestra will be playing an afternoon gig at the Centre for African-American Music at Gloucester Library, from 1pm to 2pm.

The Ragtime Jug Orchestra will then be hitting Café René from 9pm for what organisers describe as an ‘authentic string-band sound of the early 20th century,’ blending ragtime, country blues, hokum, skiffle, and jug band music. See Cafe Rene Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival for more information.

And finally on Friday, one of the ‘most wanted’ local bands will be The Suspects, who are being ‘fitted up’ for a blues gig at Pig Inn The City from 9pm.

Saturday 31 July 2010

The impeccably well-travelled Sons of The Delta will be playing the Saturday afternoon gig at Cross Keys Inn from 1pm.

While also at 1pm, an alfresco concert kicks off in the courtyard outside Café René, with performers including Seasick Steve-inspired Alexander John; the free flowing funk machine Dr. Mojito; rhythm and blues band The Dirty Robbers; Gloucestershire’s own Good God No!; and slick six-piece Miss Fusion. See Cafe Rene Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival for more information.

The hardworking Sons of The Delta will then be back again performing at Pig Inn The City, from 9pm.

Sunday 1 August 2010

More outdoor music ensues in the Café René courtyard from 1pm, with Sunday’s laissez faire line-up including acoustic duo Sisters in Grease; ‘the daddy of British blues’ Perry Foster; classic big blues band Profoundly Blue; festival favourites Innes Sibun Band; and the Larry Miller Band who many will remember from last year’s storming set. See Cafe Rene Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival for more information.

And finally, at 7pm on the Sunday, Muleskinner will be playing one of the final sets of this year’s The Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival at Pig Inn The City.