This year's Bourbon Street Jazz 'n' Blues line up is something a bit special. They've got some up and coming stars and some veteran performers all showcasing some of the finest jazz the festival has seen in a long time. And here they are for your pleasure; make a note of these guys. You won't want to miss them.
Carmen Ghia & The Hotrods - Rollin' outta the City of Steel to the green fields of Glastonbury, this seven-piece rockabilly swing band boasts jazz's finest on skins, belly fiddle, pipe and doghouse. Fronted by the stunning Miss Carmen Ghia; a luscious lady straight outta the 50s and the foxiest dame ever to work a microphone. So make sure to be on the beam, get hip to the tip and head on down to Bourbon Street and let Miss Carmen Ghia and the Hotrods take you all the way to Kicksville!
Nicola Farnon - A classic singer and double bass player, whether in the Ella Fitzgerald swing or Dusty Springfield soul mould, and widely recognised as one of the classiest and accomplished jazz and swing vocalists in the UK, Nicola Farnon is a must see for anyone and everyone! With her unique talent as both a swinging vocalist and double bass player she has performed with some of the world's top musicians, such as Georgie Fame, Alan Price, Claire Teale, Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth, and this year you catch her live at Bourbon Street!
Ben Martin - Ben Martin, a self taught genius on the sax, has performed with such jazz luminaries as Kenny Wheeler, Dave Liebmann, Jim Mullen, Andy Sheppard, Tina May and Dave Green in his time, to name but a few. His own unique style combines classic jazz beats with a modern take on the roll of the saxophone, meaning his music is easy-going chill out saxophone music that won't blow your ears off during the solos... Or as Ben himself puts it; “I can't stand those tunes that only serve as a vehicle for the sax player to do their wanky noodly bit!" Bourbon Street couldn't agree more.
Jacqui Wicks - Jacqui Wicks is a singer of honesty, clarity and lightness of touch. She began to sing at the age of just 18 months old and hasn't really shut up since (thank goodness). Along the way Jacqui has tried her hand at almost everything; from choirs to the West End, country and western bands to events management, and even Johnny cash impersonations... but nothing made her happier than Jazz and this year she's coming to Bourbon Street to do what she does best. As well as the amazing atmosphere and super audience, which Miss Wicks is “absolutely thrilled about", she also can't wait to show off her brand new wellies... now there's a lady with the spirit of Glastonbury inside her!
Djangonauts - Inspired by gypsy jazz master Django Reinhardt, Djangonauts are flying the flag at Bourbon Street for chill-out acoustic jazz this year. All four members have been playing instruments since they were rosy-cheeked school boys and they are just so, so good; A perfect example of the kind of musicianship on offer at Bourbon Street this year. Their music crosses many music boundaries and is an exciting, energetic, good time music. What more could you ask for?
Kubla Khan - Kubla Khan are seasoned performers of the highest calibre. Their funk-fuelled rock sound is something from somewhere else and they are a definite crowd pleaser. This London band have developed their own personal blend of Groove Rock that powers crowds of live music lovers, engaging with audiences and luring them in at every venue they perform at. A definite must-see, do not miss them.
Ryan Taylor - Ryan is a 27 year old producer and performer and has been playing for as long as he can remember. Brought up on Stevie Wonder, Prince, Michael Jackson, Massive Attack, Radiohead, John Legend, Justin Timberlake and Fat Freddy's Drop you can rest assured that Mr Taylor's style and stage presence will have something for everyone. His music is an eclectic mix of impressive house beats, classis jazz organs, outrageous drum solos and chill out baselines. Prepare yourselves... The funk man cometh!
The Wagon Train- The Wagon Train is a band led by multi-string-ist and composer Billy Buckley who brings an unhealthy brew of nasty Twang, cry-in-your-beer balladry, groovy roots and unashamedly romantic dustbowl boleros to your day, making it complete. Their style is a cross between an old-school Spaghetti Western theme tune and some sort of modern romantic funk, and the result is outstanding. Catch these urban cowboys this year, only at Bourbon Street.
The Dizzy Club - The Dizzy Club have been the darlings of the stage for a good few years now and they still love performing live for everyone who comes across their energetic and magical performances. Their genre of choice is swing; and that means proper swing... the kind of music that you just can't help but get up and dance to. The Dizzy Club will make you smile, make you dance and then make you smile again - perfect party music, and the only place to catch them is at Bourbon Street!
Top Shelf Jazz - Top Shelf Jazz describe themselves as 'fine purveyors of filthy swing', and they're not joking! These upstanding Welsh boys, Foxaque, Rimschott, Von Blowpipe and Tickle Upright, have more charisma than you can shake a stick at and are definitely one of those 'unknown' bands you tell all your friends about when you get home. If you love, or are even just curious about, stylish pre-war jazz, drive, infectious rhythm, sharp wit and impeccable vulgarity, Top Shelf Jazz will get you drinking too!
Leon O'Doherty - Leon started planning his music career at the age of 18 when he first heard the Beatles. He was around 20 when he picked the guitar up and started writing, and since then he has not put it down. He's an acoustic player with hints of Jazz, Folk and Blues thrown in for good measure, and has a voice that makes your toes tingle. Watch this space.
Carmen Ghia & The Hotrods - Rollin' outta the City of Steel to the green fields of Glastonbury, this seven-piece rockabilly swing band boasts jazz's finest on skins, belly fiddle, pipe and doghouse. Fronted by the stunning Miss Carmen Ghia; a luscious lady straight outta the 50s and the foxiest dame ever to work a microphone. So make sure to be on the beam, get hip to the tip and head on down to Bourbon Street and let Miss Carmen Ghia and the Hotrods take you all the way to Kicksville!
Nicola Farnon - A classic singer and double bass player, whether in the Ella Fitzgerald swing or Dusty Springfield soul mould, and widely recognised as one of the classiest and accomplished jazz and swing vocalists in the UK, Nicola Farnon is a must see for anyone and everyone! With her unique talent as both a swinging vocalist and double bass player she has performed with some of the world's top musicians, such as Georgie Fame, Alan Price, Claire Teale, Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth, and this year you catch her live at Bourbon Street!
Ben Martin - Ben Martin, a self taught genius on the sax, has performed with such jazz luminaries as Kenny Wheeler, Dave Liebmann, Jim Mullen, Andy Sheppard, Tina May and Dave Green in his time, to name but a few. His own unique style combines classic jazz beats with a modern take on the roll of the saxophone, meaning his music is easy-going chill out saxophone music that won't blow your ears off during the solos... Or as Ben himself puts it; “I can't stand those tunes that only serve as a vehicle for the sax player to do their wanky noodly bit!" Bourbon Street couldn't agree more.
Jacqui Wicks - Jacqui Wicks is a singer of honesty, clarity and lightness of touch. She began to sing at the age of just 18 months old and hasn't really shut up since (thank goodness). Along the way Jacqui has tried her hand at almost everything; from choirs to the West End, country and western bands to events management, and even Johnny cash impersonations... but nothing made her happier than Jazz and this year she's coming to Bourbon Street to do what she does best. As well as the amazing atmosphere and super audience, which Miss Wicks is “absolutely thrilled about", she also can't wait to show off her brand new wellies... now there's a lady with the spirit of Glastonbury inside her!
Djangonauts - Inspired by gypsy jazz master Django Reinhardt, Djangonauts are flying the flag at Bourbon Street for chill-out acoustic jazz this year. All four members have been playing instruments since they were rosy-cheeked school boys and they are just so, so good; A perfect example of the kind of musicianship on offer at Bourbon Street this year. Their music crosses many music boundaries and is an exciting, energetic, good time music. What more could you ask for?
Kubla Khan - Kubla Khan are seasoned performers of the highest calibre. Their funk-fuelled rock sound is something from somewhere else and they are a definite crowd pleaser. This London band have developed their own personal blend of Groove Rock that powers crowds of live music lovers, engaging with audiences and luring them in at every venue they perform at. A definite must-see, do not miss them.
Ryan Taylor - Ryan is a 27 year old producer and performer and has been playing for as long as he can remember. Brought up on Stevie Wonder, Prince, Michael Jackson, Massive Attack, Radiohead, John Legend, Justin Timberlake and Fat Freddy's Drop you can rest assured that Mr Taylor's style and stage presence will have something for everyone. His music is an eclectic mix of impressive house beats, classis jazz organs, outrageous drum solos and chill out baselines. Prepare yourselves... The funk man cometh!
The Wagon Train- The Wagon Train is a band led by multi-string-ist and composer Billy Buckley who brings an unhealthy brew of nasty Twang, cry-in-your-beer balladry, groovy roots and unashamedly romantic dustbowl boleros to your day, making it complete. Their style is a cross between an old-school Spaghetti Western theme tune and some sort of modern romantic funk, and the result is outstanding. Catch these urban cowboys this year, only at Bourbon Street.
The Dizzy Club - The Dizzy Club have been the darlings of the stage for a good few years now and they still love performing live for everyone who comes across their energetic and magical performances. Their genre of choice is swing; and that means proper swing... the kind of music that you just can't help but get up and dance to. The Dizzy Club will make you smile, make you dance and then make you smile again - perfect party music, and the only place to catch them is at Bourbon Street!
Top Shelf Jazz - Top Shelf Jazz describe themselves as 'fine purveyors of filthy swing', and they're not joking! These upstanding Welsh boys, Foxaque, Rimschott, Von Blowpipe and Tickle Upright, have more charisma than you can shake a stick at and are definitely one of those 'unknown' bands you tell all your friends about when you get home. If you love, or are even just curious about, stylish pre-war jazz, drive, infectious rhythm, sharp wit and impeccable vulgarity, Top Shelf Jazz will get you drinking too!
Leon O'Doherty - Leon started planning his music career at the age of 18 when he first heard the Beatles. He was around 20 when he picked the guitar up and started writing, and since then he has not put it down. He's an acoustic player with hints of Jazz, Folk and Blues thrown in for good measure, and has a voice that makes your toes tingle. Watch this space.
