Harmonica Blues: Johnny Mars + The Craig Milverton Quartet
Join us for an evening with legendary US electric blues vocalist, harmonica player, and band leader Johnny Mars, as we celebrate the release of his new album ‘The Reunion’.
Over his long career, he has worked with the likes of Magic Sam, Earl Hooker, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Jesse Fuller, Spencer Davis, Ian Gillan, and Bananarama, to name a few. Johnny is joined by the Craig Milverton Quartet on piano, double bass, drums, and guitar.
Born in South Carolina in the 1940s and is now residing in the UK, Johnny Mars is one of the most renowned global vocalists and harmonica players alive today. Johnny grew up in the Southern States, receiving his first harmonica at the age of 9, and being forced to practice his instrument sitting in the car out in the yard! He moved to New York in the 1960s and performed with Jimi Hendrix, Earl Hooker and Magic Sam. His robust vocals and refreshing harmonica gifts resulted in him opening for BB King at the Hammersmith Odeon in London in the 1980s. He manufactured his own trademark harmonica the 'Johnny Mars Pro' in collaboration with the large European instrument maker Seydel. In the 1990s he led 'The Johnny Mars Foundation' and taught young pupils in primary schools how to play the harmonica.
Craig Milverton is sought after as a skilled accompanist to such star vocalists as Stacey Kent and Tina May. His trios are regularly required to back visiting American soloists at festivals and venues across the country including Scott Hamilton, Ken Peplowski and Warren Vache. Few British pianists have Craig’s thorough knowledge and grasp of jazz styles.
Ashley John Long is an award-winning virtuoso double bassist and composer across a wide range of genres. He is an active performer in jazz and free improvisation, regularly playing and recording with some of the leading figures in both fields. He has toured internationally with a wide range of artists and is much in demand as a session musician.
Nick Millward is one of UK’s leading jazz drummers. He is well known for being the drummer who powered the rhythm section of Kenny Ball’s Jazzmen from 1999.
Ben Milverton on guitar is an experienced gigging musician appearing many times at Clubs and Jazz Festivals including Teignmouth, Pershore, Bude and Beaminster. His astonishing technique and ability has been praised by such great guitarists as Nigel Price and Dominic Ashworth.
Performance starts at 7:30pm, doors from 6:30pm with bar available.
General admission: £20; Students: £5 with valid student ID; Children 12 and under: Free, accompanied by a paying adult (max 3 children per adult)
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