Hello roots music fans everywhere, be you a fan of jazz, blues, folk, country or good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll. May I start by congratulating you all on keeping live music ALIVE and booming everywhere you go and thank you for being YOU… The people who leave the house, who come out and who enjoy sharing the great atmosphere of live sound.
March is now here, almost a quarter of the way through the year, which is not a bad thing at this time of year because it’s sunshine and warmth are just on the horizon.
This month I am on the road with The Jake Leg Jug Band, with Baby Jools & The Jazzaholics and with The Lonnie Donegan Story, as well as concerts with the 50s nostalgia show The Hit Parade Heroes and The Story of Skiffle.
MY EXCITING NEWS THIS MONTH is that The Lonnie Donegan Story is now officially confirmed to appear at THE GREAT BRITISH R&B FESTIVAL – and why not? He was the king of roots music in the UK.
1 – He had one of the first jazz bands on the British trad scene in 1950 – The Tony Donegan Jazz Band.
2 – He was a founder member of the legendary Ken Colyer Jazzmen.
3 – He was a founder member of The Chris Barber Jazz Band.
4 – He was among the first to perform with blues legends, Lonnie Johnson, 5 – Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee and Josh White.
6 – He commercialised blues music, he commercialised folk music and is the sole reason that many jazz banjo players, blues guitarists and and rock stars ever made it in the music business at all.
ALL ROADS LEAD TO LONNIE
I have The Story of Skiffle concert, the follow up to the Lonnie Story, appearing at Bude Jazz Festival this year and I am delighted to announce that another major Jazz Festival along with a major Folk Festival are ready to accept the show for 2025
So what can I say?
The next 2 years are going to be epic, especially when you consider next years tour of Denmark with Baby Jools & The Jazzaholics!
It is most certainly a great time to be doing what I do and I thank you all for your support because without you I’m just a sad lonely guitarist with a banjo at my side.
THIS MONTHS TOUR DATES FOR ME ARE AS FOLLOWS
MARCH 2024
Sat 2 – Kingston Upon Thames, Ram Jam Records – with The Jake Leg Jug Band
Sun 3 – Willingham, Jazz Club, Cambs – with The Jake Leg Jug Band
Sat 9 – Camden, The Green Not – with The Jake Leg Jug Band
Sun 10 – Birmingham, The O Bar – with The Hit Parade Heroes – 6pm
Fri 15 – Caterham Surrey & South London Blues Club – with The Jake Leg Jug Band
Sat 16 – Congleton Unplugged – with The Jake Leg Jug Band – 2pm
Sun 17 – Stafford, Jazz Society – with The Jake Leg Jug Band
Wed 20 – Amersham, Jazz Club, High Wycombe – The Warren James Skiffle Group
Fri 22 – Northamton, Ravensthorpe Village Hall – with Baby Jools & The Jazzaholics
Sat 23 – London, Candlemaker – with The Jake Leg Jug Band
Sun 24 – Halesowen Jazz Club, Cricket Club – with The Lonnie Donegan Story
Fri 29 – Nantwich, Nantwich Jazz and Blues – with The Hit Parade Heroes
Sat 30 – Tipton, Horseley Tavern – with The Hit Parade Heroes
Sun 31 – Worcester, Chestnut Tree – The Warren James R’n’R duo
