Hi everyone

Can you believe it? We have almost reached the first quarter of 2026 and a great number of positives have happened already! I will send an updated gig list next week – but first I just want to update you on developments!

The Jake Leg Jug Band have almost 150 concerts (and rising) confirmed across the UK for this year and hopefully a trip to Europe will be announced in due course as we try and get the finishing touches planned. EXCITING STUFF!!!

The Jake Leg Jug Band – Rocks In My Bed

My own band, Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers are gaining momentum at jazz and blues clubs around the UK, playing a specially created set of jazz & blues from the 20s & 30s and allowing me to bring the old time American songs of the south to a wider audience. Songs by obscure names such as Riley Puckett and Scrapper Blackwell, played alongside more known artistes like Bessie Smith, Mammie Smith, Josh White, Big Bill Broonzy and Blind Lemon Jefferson are all a part of the Lonesome Travellers set. EXCITING!!!

Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers – Vintage Jazz, Blues, Skiffle and Gospel Roots Music of the 20s, 30s and Beyond

The other development for me is that in December 2025 I finished my time working with The Jazzaholics after 4 dynamic years with the band and I have become a member of RICH BENNETT’S NEW ORLEANS ALL STARS!

Just to put things into some context here, the star clarinet player, Adrian Cox, started his career in Rich Bennett’s band, so I am hoping to be a global mega star of the banjo really really soon, HAHA!

Rich Bennett requires no introduction on the UK and European jazz and blues scene! As they say, if you know, then you know – but if you don’t then let me tell you!

Rich Bennett has been playing his trumpet at jazz clubs and festivals for around 35 years. He has toured the UK and Europe extensively and excites jazz fans with his honest approach to the music, along with his fiery trumpet playing.

Having spent 3 years in Barbados where he fronted The Hottest Dixieland Band on the island he has now returned to the UK and is already in strong demand for 2026 and a diary that is filling for 2027.

Before he ventured overseas there was hardly a club or festival in the UK that didn’t have Rich Bennett on their programme and tents and venues would be FULL!

Rich grew up in a musical household where his father, Martin Bennett, Trombone player and vocalist with The Phil Mason Band, would have full bands rehearsing there day and night.

New Orleans music is ingrained within Rich. It’s what he does.

When Rich Bennett’s name shows up at your event, then you know that you’re in for a treat.

EXCITING!!!

See below some great videos of recent concerts with Rich Bennett’s New Orleans All Stars and let me say that if you don’t already have Rich and the band in your diary for 2026 and 2027, then you are really going to miss out! But I really am delighted to be a part of the 3 most unique and exciting bands out there right now.

As the great May West said: “Too much of a good thing…… IS WONDERFULLL…”

We just had to tell you the great news!

The Jake Leg Jug Band won the public vote at this weekends UK West Coast Folk Festival at Blackpool Winter Gardens.

In 2027, we will return to perform on the main stage, and we look forward to providing an excellent performance.

The Jake Leg Jug Band had a great night at The Domino Club and what a great venue it is, in the heart of Leeds’ city arcade – built during the Victorian period when Frank Matcham designed the GRANDEST of theatres.

Meanwhile Warren’s own band – Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers have had a storming start to 2026

Keeping the American roots music alive!

Gigs Forthcoming for our followers are below – please keep supporting your live music scene for without it the world, and life, will be a sadder place.

January 2026

Fri 23 – Merthyr Tydfil, Clwb Crown – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 8:30pm

Sat 24 – Bristol, The Greyhound – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 8pm

Sun 25 – Blackpool, Winter Gardens, UK West Coast Folk Festival – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 2:30pm

Wed 28 – Pershore Jazz Club – Richard Bennett’s New Orleans All Stars @ 7:30pm

February 2026

Sun 1 – Bude, Jazz Club at The Falcon Hotel- The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 7:30pm

Fri 6 – Stoke on Trent, The Artisan Tap – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 7pm

Sat 7 – Louth Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 7:30pm

Sun 8 – Stafford Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 12:30pm

Sun 8 – Halesowen Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 7:00pm

Wed 11 – Sutton Coldfield Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 8pm

Sat 14 – Bristol, Old Duke – Warren James’ Hit Parade Heroes @ 9pm

Sun 15 – Uttoxeter, Horse & Dove – Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers @ 12pm

Thur 19 – Broadstairs, Blues Bash – The Jake Leg Jug Band

Fri 20 – Stoney Stratford, York House – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 8pm

Sat 21 – Bloxham, Village Hall – The Jake Leg Jug Band.

March 2026

Sun 1 – Willingham, Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band

Wed 4 – Sutton Coldfield, Trad Jazz Club – Rich Bennett’s New Orleans All Stars @ 8pm

Thur 5 – Chaddesley Corbett, The Swan – Rich Bennett’s New Orleans All Stars @ 8pm

Sat 7 – Macclesfield, The Swan With Two Necks – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 8pm

Sun 8 – Swansea, The Vic, Mumbles – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 7:30pm

Mon 9 – Shipston on Stour, Thirst Edition – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 7:30pm

Tues 10 – Wilmslow, Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 7:30pm

Wed 11 – Bristol, Warmley Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 8pm

Thur 12 – Bristol, The Old Duke – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 9pm

Sun 15 – Coventry, Ansty Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 12:30pm

Thur 19 – Didsbury, Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 7:30pm

Fri 20 – Bexhill on Sea, 1066 Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 7:30pm

Sun 22 – Eastleigh, The Concorde Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 12pm

Tues 24 – Datchet, Village Hall Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 2pm to 3:45pm

Fri 27 – Stony Stratford, York House – The Lonnie Donegan Story @ 7:30pm

Sat 28 – Bedford, Swingsters Spring Ball – The Jake Leg Jug Band

Sun 29 – Blisworth, The Walnut Tree – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 12pm

Between now and the new year we have a few more concerts coming up – but first I wish to make you aware of this SPECIAL EVENT for your diaries.

Warren James’ Johnny Cash Songbook is coming for a post Christmas / pre-New Year special in Solihull, West Midlands on Sunday 28 December, 2025 at 12:30pm at: Solihull Jazz, Broomfields Hall, Union Road, Solihull, B91 3DH

Entry is only £10, cash on the door, which will open at 12:00pm – fully licensed bar – snacks and hot drinks available.

This is my theatre show and has sold-out in many theatres around the UK – so it is a special treat which allows us to bring a quality show and music concert to our friends in the midlands, and we are grateful to Solihull Jazz Club for giving us this opportunity.

Warren James’ Johnny Cash Songbook

Solihull Jazz, Broomfields Hall, Solihull Royal British Legion, Union Road, Solihull, B91 3DH

The Johnny Cash Songbook, The Story and Songs behind “The Man in Black”.

Musician and entertainer, Warren James, presents the story and songs of Johnny Cash’s rise to fame as an original member of the Sun Record label, alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison.

Johnny Cash was a member of The Million Dollar Quartet as well as becoming Rock ‘n’ Roll and Country music royalty within his life time. Cash’s lengthy career, spanned 1954 to 2003, saw the release of 91 albums, 170 singles, and 14 chart topping hits.

Other dates that I will be a part of during this festive period are as follows:

Sat 20 – West Bromwich, HENRY’S BLUES HOUSE, West Bromwich Markets – Warren James’ Hit Parade Heroes @ 7pm

Sun 21 – Dove Holes, Jazz Club, Village Hall – Rich Bennett’s New Orleans All Stars @ 1pm to 3:30pm

Sun 21 – Birmingham, SNOBS – Warren James’ Hit Parade Heroes – @ 6:30pm

Sat 27 – Bristol, Mr Wolf – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 9pm

Sun 28 – Solihull, Broomfields Hall and RBL – The Johnny Cash Songbook @ 12:30pm

Wed 31 – NYE – Uttoxeter, The Vaults – The Mike Owen Band @ 3pm to 6pm

Wed 31 – NYE – Coventry, Ansty Club – Warren James’ Hit Parade Heroes – 9:30pm to 12:30pm

This is our combined newsletter for The Jake Leg Jug Band and for Warren James.

We are delighted to announce some WARM NEWS that will get us through the chilly winter months – but – we will all be returning to the Bude Jazz Festival in 2026. 

It will be the 10th year for The Jake Leg Jug Band at Bude Jazz Festival, and it will be Warren James’ 5th year, so that is something nice to celebrate and be very proud of.

See confirmed dates and times below

Tues 1 – The Carriers – Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers at Bude Jazz Fest 2026 @ 11:45 until 2pm

Fri 4 – Methodist Church – Warren James’ Skiffle Heroes at Bude Jazz Fest 2026 @ 11:30am

Tues 1 – The Falcon – The Jake Leg Jug Band at Bude Jazz Fest 2026 @ 8pm

Wed 2 – Methodist Church – GOSPEL SERVICE – The Jake Leg Jug Band at Bude Jazz Fest 2026 @ 6:30pm

Thur 3 – The Falcon – Bateman Brothers, It’s Trad Dad (Warren James on Banjo & Guitar) at Bude Jazz Fest 2026 @ 12:00pm until 2:15pm

Fri 4 – The Parkhouse Centre – The Jake Leg Jug Band at Bude Jazz Fest 2026 @ 3:45pm

Warren James – Guitar & Banjo – Fine Purveyor of vintage jazz, blues, skiffle and gospel roots music

The Jake Leg Jug Band – Duncan Wilcox performs A Mouthful of Jam with guests Phil Shotton, Andy Henderson and Joe Moretti

DATES FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR

NOVEMBER 2025

Tues 25 – Datchet, Village Hall – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 2pm

DECEMBER 2025

Wed 3 – Bristol, Old Duke – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 9pm

Thur 4 – Swindon, The Beehive – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 8:30pm

Sat 6 – Louth, Louth Jazz Club – Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers @ 7:30pm

Tues 9 – Leeds, Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 8pm

Sat 13 – Bristol, The Old Duke – Warren James & His Hit Parade Heroes @ 9pm

Sun 14 – Uttoxeter, The Vaults – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 4pm

Mon 15 – Shipston on Stour, The Thirst Edition – Warren James & His Hit Parade Heroes

Sun 21 – Birmingham, SNOBS – Warren James & His Hit Parade Heroes – @ 6:30pm

Sun 28 – Solihull, Broomfields Hall and RBL – Jazzamatazz – Warren James sings The Johnny Cash Songbook @ 12:30pm

Wed 31 – Uttoxeter, The Vaults – Warren James will guest with Mike Owen’s Band – 3pm to 6pm

Wed 31 – Coventry, Ansty Club – Warren James & His Hit Parade Heroes – 9:30pm to 12:30pm

Greetings to you all

We’re almost into the final stages of 2025 and all of us are now finalising our 2026 diaries and starting to take bookings for 2027 – a sure sign that live music continues to have popularity – but it’s not a time to assume support is not still needed because it can only continue when people attend and do the unthinkable and leave the TV behind for a couple of hours.

Having toured The Lonnie Donegan Story as well as The Story of Skiffle around the UK’s Jazz, Blues and general roots music scene for the last 3 years I felt that it was now time to form a band that I could call uniquely, my own!

Rest assured, the above concerts will still be staged at venues who haven’t yet booked them and my Hit Parade Heroes Rock ‘n’ Roll show will still be doing the rounds.

However – The Lonesome Travellers are only a few concerts into existence and bookings are filling for 2026 and 2027 and reviews are very nice indeed – which is really nice for people like us who are keen to perform

Bass: Jim Swinnerton – Claranet / Sax: Alex Clarke – Banjo / Guitar: Warren James – Washboard: Baby Jools

Dates ahead for Warren James, The Jake Leg Jug Band and any of our affiliated bands are detailed below

OCTOBER 2025

Sat 25 – Bristol, Old Duke – Hit Parade Heroes @ 9pm

Mon 27 – UNAVAILABLE

Thurs 30 – Carlisle, Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 8pm

NOVEMBER 2025

Sat 1 – Darlington, New Orleans Jazz Club – The Story of Skiffle @ 12:30pm

Sun 2 – Worcester, Private Engagement – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 6pm

Mon 3 – Suffolk TBC – Rural Touring Co.

Tues 4 – Suffolk TBC – Rural Touring Co.

Wed 5 – Suffolk TBC – Rural Touring Co.

Thur 6 – Suffolk TBC – Rural Touring Co.

Sat 8 – Street, Ellie B Jazz Weekend, Wessex Hotel – The Jake Leg Jug Band – see brochure

Sun 9 – Street, Ellie B Jazz Weekend, Wessex Hotel – The Hot Tamales – see brochure

Wed 12 – UNAVAILABLE @ 11am to 4pm

Wed 12 – Bristol, Warmley Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 7:30pm

Thurs 13 – Chaddersley Corbett, Jazz at the Swan Inn – Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers @ 8pm

Fri 14 – Bristol, Old Duke – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 9pm

Sat 15 – Cornwall, Calstock Arts Centre – The Jake Leg Jug Band @7:30pm

Wed 19 – Gosport Jazz Club – Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers @ 8pm

Sat 22 – Chesterfield, Private Party – 7pm – Hit Parade Heroes

Sun 23 – Worcester, The Chestnut Tree – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 6pm

Tues 25 – Datchet, Village Hall – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 2pm

Wed 26 – Sutton Coldfield Jazz Club – The Hot Tamales @ 8pm

Thurs 27 – Chaddersley Corbett, Jazz at the Swan Inn – The Hot Tamales @ 8pm

Sat 29 – UNAVAILABLE @ 6pm to 11:30pm

Sun 30 – Coventry, Jazzamatazz, Ansty Club – The Hot Tamales – 12:30pm

Sun 30 – Colchester Jazz Club – The Jazzaholics @ 7:30pm

DECEMBER 2025

Wed 3 – Bristol, Old Duke – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 9pm

Thur 4 – Swindon, The Beehive – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 9pm

Sat 6 – Louth, Louth Jazz Club – Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers @ 7:30pm

Tues 9 – Leeds, Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 8pm

Sat 13 – Bristol, The Old Duke – Hit Parade Heroes @ 9pm

Mon 15 – Shipston on Stour, The Thirst Edition – Hit Parade Heroes

Sun 21 – Dove Holes, Village Hall – The Hot Tamales @ 1pm to 3:30pm

Sun 21 – Birmingham, SNOBS – The Hit Parade Heroes – @ 6:30pm

Sun 28 – Solihull, Broomfields Hall and RBL – The Johnny Cash Songbook @ 12:30pm

Wed 31 – Coventry, Ansty Club – Hit Parade Heroes – 9:30pm to 12:30pm

The Jake Leg Jug Band

After a summer of many sell-out gigs and great success at festivals, from the top of the UK to the most southern points The Jake Leg Jug Band are delighted to already have a busy diary for 2026 – with more dates being added all of the time and the hope of making our European debut 🙂 See our forthcoming dates by
clicking right here!

Also this year – Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers launched to a terrific success at the 36th Bude Jazz Festival in the beautiful Cornish region of the United Kingdoms! After firmly establishing his name on the UK jazz and blues scene during the last three and a half years as “our skiffle star” (Jazz Rag) Warren was very keen to demonstrate that he is no one-trick pony and has real command of that banjo!
You can find all of Warren’s jazz, blues and roots adventures right here by
clicking this link

OCTOBER 2025

Thur 9 – Bicester, Private Engagement – 2pm to 4pm – The Silk Street Jazz Band

Fri 10 – Bretforten, The Fleece Inn – The Jake Leg Jug Band

Sat 11 – Stranraer, North West Castle Hotel Jazz festival – The Jake Leg Jug Band

Sun 12 – Dumfries, Beattock, The Stables – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 3pm

Wed 15 – Lytham St Anne’s, Lowther Pavilion – The Jake Leg Jug Band @7:30pm

Sat 18 – Atherstone, Conservative Club, Cabaret – Hit Parade Heroes @ 9pm – Guest: Barry Meek

Wed 22 – Sutton Coldfield Jazz Club – Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers @ 8pm

Sat 25 – Bristol, Old Duke – Hit Parade Heroes @ 9pm

Thurs 30 – Carlisle, Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 8pm

NOVEMBER 2025

Sat 1 – Darlington, New Orleans Jazz Club – The Story of Skiffle @ 12:30pm

Sun 2 – Worcester, Private Party – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 6pm

Mon 3 – Suffolk, Private – Rural Touring Co – Warren James

Tues 4 – Suffolk, Private – Rural Touring Co – Warren James

Wed 5 – Suffolk, Private – Rural Touring Co – Warren James

Thur 6 – Suffolk, Private – Rural Touring Co – Warren James

Sat 8 – Street, Ellie B Jazz Weekend, Wessex Hotel – The Jake Leg Jug Band

Sun 9 – Street, Ellie B Jazz Weekend, Wessex Hotel – The Hot Tamales

Wed 12 – Bristol, Warmley Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 8pm

Thurs 13 – Chaddersley Corbett, Jazz at the Swan – Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers @ 8pm

Fri 14 – Bristol, Old Duke – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 9pm

Sat 15 – Cornwall, Calstock Arts Centre – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 8pm

Wed 19 – Gosport Jazz Club – Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers @ 8pm

Sun 23 – Worcester, The Chestnut Tree – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 6pm

Tues 25 – Datchet, Village Hall – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 2pm

Wed 26 – Sutton Coldfield Jazz Club – The Hot Tamales

Thurs 27 – Chaddersley Corbett, Jazz at the Swan – The Hot Tamales

Sat 29 – UNAVAILABLE 6pm to 11:30pm

Sun 30 – Coventry, Jazzamatazz, Ansty Club – The Hot Tamales – 12:30

Sun 30 – Colchester Jazz Club – The Hot Tamales @ 7:30pm

DECEMBER 2025

Wed 3 – Bristol, Old Duke – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 9pm

Thur 4 – Swindon, The Beehive – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 9pm

Fri 5 – Scarborough, TBC – The Jake Leg Jug Band

Sat 6 – Louth, Louth Jazz Club – Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers @ 7:30pm

Tues 9 – Leeds, Jazz Club – The JakeLeg Jug Band @ 8pm

Fri 12 – Yorkshire TBC – The Jake Leg Jug Band

Sat 13 – Bristol, The Old Duke – Hit Parade Heroes @ 9pm

Mon 15 – Shipston on Stour, The Thirst Edition – Hit Parade Heroes @ 7:30pm

Sun 21 – Dove Holes, Village Hall – The Hot Tamales @ 1pm

Sun 21 – Birmingham, SNOBS – The Hit Parade Heroes – @ 6:30pm

Sun 28 – Solihull, Broomfields Hall and RBL – The Johnny Cash Songbook @ 12:30pm

Wed 31 – Staffordshire – Private @ 3pm to 6pm

Wed 31 – NEW YEARS EVE – Coventry, Ansty Club – Hit Parade Heroes – 9:30pm to 12:30am

2026 PERFORMANCE LIST

January 2026

Sun 4 – Stafford Jazz Club – Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers @ 12:30pm

Thur 8 – Dringhouses Jazz Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 1pm

Sun 11 – Halesowen Jazz Club – Warren James & His Lonesome Travellers @ 7pm

Wed 14 – Bristol, The Old Duke – The Jake Leg Jug Band

Sat 17 – Louth, Jazz Club – Baby Jools & The Jazzaholics @ 7:30pm

Tues 20 – Hampton in Arden – Roger’s Super Club – The Jake Leg Jug Band @ 7:30pm

Sun 25 – Blackpool, The Winter Gardens – West Coast Folk Festival – The Jake Leg Jug Band

Fri 30 – Weston Super Mare, Sandbay Holiday Park, Pete Lay Weekend – Baby Jools & The Jazzaholics @ afternoon

Sat 31 – Weston Super Mare, Sandbay Holiday Park, Pete Lay Weekend – Baby Jools & The Jazzaholics

Read the article here: https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/25371060.warrington-musician-pays-tribute-ozzy-osbourne-festival/https://www.darlingtonjazz.co.uk/venue.html

Saturday 9th August, I shall be with Baby Jools & The Jazzaholics at Darlington New Orleans Club at held at St. Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington!

Sunday evening, from 6 pm, I will be performing with my Rock ‘n’ Roll Duo at The Dog & Partridge, Marchington, nr. Uttoxeter – all welcome.

Then I will go away for 5 days working on 5 private concerts with an R & B band in the south of England.

The Jake Leg Jug Band will reassemble for a concert in Dumfries & Galloway, The Beattock Bash, held in Beattock at The Old Stables

We look forward to seeing you along the way.

www.WarrenJamesGuitar.com

www.TheJakeLegJugBand.com

Forwarded to me by a friend, I do not know Tim Shilton, but I do thank him most sincerely for a fantastic article!

It’s worth noting that we performed at the launch party with my band The Hit Parade Heroes, and we performed with my other band, The Skiffle Heroes, during the evening of Tuesday, 22 July when the sad news was announced

Also, we were but one of 150+ bands at this years festival, but it appears that we have made a positive impact 🙂.

A rollicking good festival it was too!

www.WarrenJamesGuitar.com