At the ripe old age of three, she got her first guitar.  At seven she started lessons but soon noticed that electric guitars could make a lot more noise. After more lessons and a lot more noise, and at the grand old age of eight she became the youngest person in the country to pass a Rockschool grade.

More lessons followed and with them came the realisation that if you want people to listen, you need to sing!  So it came to pass that at the age of twelve she arrived at the famous Melborn Hotel in Bradford to play and sing at the weekly jam session. Helped and encouraged by all the musicians, she developed rapidly into a incredible rock and blues musician, appearing regularly on the Northern Blues Circuit and beyond.

Soon described as a "prodigy", a visit from a major label was inevitable.  Singing and playing on national television and radio also followed.  However, in 2006 she decided to give up public performances and complete her education.  This is were she has been for the last three years.  Welcome Back Chantel!!

The Chantel McGregor Band, features Chantel (guitar and vocals), Alex Jeffrey (bass) and Martin Rushworth (drums).
 

That Will Tang 'has got the blues' goes without question. But that’s only a fraction of the story;  with a six-album career and an international reputation as a harmonica maestro, audiences and critics from across the genre boundaries are singing his praises.

"Will Tang is a Blues culture shock, and a definite asset to the future of Blues" says Blues Matters magazine 

Manchester based 'OV8' come highly recommended, following a truly electric performance at the Carlisle Blues Festival in November 2009.

We regret to announce that, due to unexpected pressures of work, Miles Gilderdale has had to posptpone this gig to the 13th July. 

Fortunately no tickets have yet been sold but, if you were fortunate to WIN a ticket at Miles' last gig, this will be honoured for the July gig.

Once again, we apologise if this postponement has inconvenienced you in any way.

Scarborough based Belle Bottom Blues are a couple of 'belles' backed by a no nonsense rhythm section. They are now a regular and popular feature at the Club.

All members of the band are seasoned pros who, having lived the rock and roll lifestyle,  are now just content to perform for the love of the music.

They bring original interpretations to songs by many of the greats, including BB King, Eric Clapton, Robert Johnson, Ray Charles and Muddy Waters.  

Nette Devaney (guitar and vocals) has been playing in pro bands since the late 70’s and now teaches guitar in York.

Jayne Richardson (piano and vocals) has also toured with several pro bands and is now involved as a musician, teacher and performer.

They are backed by Dave Simcox (bass) and Ronnie Daniel (drums).

Blues-rock fans are in for a treat on Tuesday 13th April, when one of the world's most highly regarded bluesmen - Aynsley Lister - revisits Scarborough Blues Club for the third time.

The Aynsley Lister Band headlined when the Club opened in September 2008 and in view of Aynsley’s undoubted popularity in the Scarborough area, we are anticipating another sell-out on this occasion.

According to MoJo magazine "there is no English guitarist with more vivid musical ideas". According to Maverick Magazine he is "a superb singer with a "brilliant" voice"

His new album – Equilibrium – has been described as “superb” by, among others, veteran rock broadcaster Bob Harris. Virtually every music magazine has also carried positive reviews including "the best album of his career" (Guitarist), " a great album mixing blues rock, mainstream rock and varied guitar playing" (Classic Rock Newswire), "as accessible . . .as it remains fiercely independent" (Get Ready to Rock) and “terrific stuff” (Blues Matters).

Despite his undoubted appeal to Blues /Rock fans his most recent album has also been described as "fresh and vital" and praised for the "balance that he strikes between stunning guitar pyrotechnics, a soulful voice . . . and a collection of original songs that mark him out as a musician with a glittering future" (Net Rhythms).

"Aynsley is the sort of guitarist that can make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end, a musicians musician with a tremendous technique and a wonderful voice that appeals to all sorts of music fans, not just blues / rockers." says Mark Horsley, Voluntary Promoter for Scarborough Blues Club.
 

 The Steve French Band are becoming a regular feature at the Blues Club.  The are a Sheffield based band and have performed over 600 gigs in and around the City since their formation in the nineties. They consist of Steve French (guitar and vocals), Sheena Savage (drums) and Paul Mallatratt (bass). 

Steve is a very skilled guitarist and always provides a wonderful night's entertainment.  His wide-ranging musical influences extend from Jimi Hendrix to Freddie King.

Sheena Savage, originally a rock musician, has become one of the most talked about drummers in the North of England.

Prior to joining the Steve French Band in 2006, Paul Mallatratt performed in orchestras and bands in the UK and throughout Europe.

 This will be the second appearance of Alan Nimmo’s brilliant new band - King King - at Scarborough Blues Club. 

When they last appeared in Scarborough, on the 15th December 2009, you could have heard a pin drop during some of Alan's quieter solos.  Some audience members thought it was the best band they'd heard at the Club.  We couldn't possibly comment (because we've heard many great bands over the last couple of years).  However, they were pretty amazing!!

They've received rave reviews wherever they appear. They headlined both the Blues On The Farm and Maryport Blues Festivals in 2009 and their debut EP ‘Broken Heal’ received wonderful reviews, including praise for it’s “emotive lyrics” and “stirring guitar work” (Blues Matters Magazine). They also featured on BBC Radio 2 the night before their last appearance in Scarborough.

NY area guitarist Chaz DePaolo is an internationally acclaimed Blues/Rock artist.

He has a long-term association with Scarborough and has many fans in the area.

He has toured extensively in the U.S. Canada and Europe and has performed on stage with many blues legends, including Buddy Miles, Jose Feliciano, Harvey Brooks and North Yorkshire's very own Steve Phillips.

Chaz performs 150 plus dates a year in the states and abroad. 

"Blues Matter's' Magizine's (Feb/Mar 2006) were of the opinion that "this man can really develop into one of the most exciting talents in 21st century electric blues music."

We can hardly argue with that statement.

PLEASE NOTE:  This is a one-off Special Event featuring three bands in one night - Oli Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor and Virgil &The Accellerators.  In view of the anticipated interest in this unique event, it will take place in the Function Room at the Scarborough Rugby Club (not our usual venue at the Cask).   Doors Open: 7 pm.  Gig Starts 8 pm (Virgil & The Accellerators).

The mid 1960’s witnessed the start of a phenomenon that became known as the “Great British Blues Boom” – a surge of interest in Blues across the U.K. which saw a wealth of talented bands and artists launch their careers at home and abroad.

At the forefront of the “Great British Blues Boom” were the likes of the Rolling Stones; Eric Clapton; Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, Chicken Shack and Alexis Korner who in turn influenced bands such as Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull and Ten Years After – early incarnations of which were steeped in the Blues.

The past twelve months have seen a similar resurgence of interest in “British Blues” with a number of highly talented individuals and bands appearing on the U.K. gig circuit.

May 2010 will see the “New Generation” Blues tour featuring three acts that look destined for great things.

At the forefront of the “New Generation” of Blues artists are two of the acts that appear on the May tour.

OLI BROWN

Aged 19, Oli Brown has truly blossomed over the past twelve months. Following the success of his first CD “Open Road”, legendary blues producer Mike Vernon (himself an instrumental figure in the 1960’s boom), was persuaded from retirement to produce Oli’s second CD – the soon to be released “Heads I Win, Tails You Lose”.

Oli like his peers from those far off sixties days is a highly talented guitarist and songwriter whose onstage charisma far belies his tender years.

JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR

A rare talent indeed, Joanne is a young woman who was discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics and plays the blues with real feel. Her music has a raunchy feel to it and coupled with a wonderful “gravelly” vocal Joanne is quite unique - she was born to play the blues!   A follow up to her acclaimed “White Sugar” CD is to be recorded in the U.S.A. with esteemed producer Jim Gaines, to follow on her touring success over there.

The “New Generation” seeks to emulate those bands of the sixties who found fame and fortune on both sides of the Atlantic.

VIRGIL & THE ACCELERATORS

The “surprise” package on the tour. Discovered at 12 by Otis Grand and championed by Joe Bonamassa, guitarist Virgil is a mere 18 years of age, while his brother Gabriel on drums is a mere 16  – but boy can these kids play!  A power trio, Virgil and his band play with a Stevie Ray Vaughan style to their music,  bringing real feel and raw passion to the “heavier” blues rifts.

Three bands – three great lead guitarists, three varying styles of “Blues” – but all with one aim – to re-establish the blues scene in the World today.   As far as Scarborough Blues Club is concerned this “New Generation” is here to stay.  Don't miss it!

Billy Walton is a truly amazing guitarist.   

At the end of his last appearance at the Club - 13th October 2008 - he received an entirely spontaneous standing ovation from everyone in the room!!   This is one of the reasons why we immediately booked them for a return visit. 

Kris Dollimore may not be a household name but, following his gig at the Blues Club, he already has many fans in the Scarborough area.

We described him as a 21st Century Johnny Lee Hooker in last year's programme and turned out to be all that and then some.

This is not to say you could pin him down to any particular style because his songs ranged from Dolly Parton’s Jolene to Mississippi Delta standards. He also managed to include some fairly unique ‘Medway Delta Blues’ of his own and some wonderful interpretations of Chicago style classics.

In a previous life Kris was the lead guitarist in a rock band but, after touring the world for several years, decided to give up the rock 'n' roll lifestyle and go it alone as a blues soloist. I have a feeling his pay packet may have shrunk a little in the process but the Blues world will probably be eternally grateful.

This guy can certainly play the guitar and his songwriting and singing were clearly appreciated by all those attending his last gig

Please Note:  This gig will be the Official UK Launch of Miles Gilderdale's new band M*ZEN.  It was originally due to take place on Sunday 4th April but, for several reasons, had to be postponed.

Miles Gilderdake is one of the country's most successful and versatile guitarists, a Grammy Award nominee, former Gibson Guitarist of the year, and has sold millions of albums world-wide (as the joint leader of the jazz group Acoustic Alchemy).  He is equally at home playing jazz, funk, blues or rock.

Fortunately for us, he lives in York which is why he is holding the Official UK Launch of M*ZEN at our Club and why he gave many of us a sneak preview of the band at the Cask on the 26th January.  If you managed to get to that gig, you will certainly not want to miss this second installment.  If you somehow managed to miss that first installment but fancy listening to a funky blues rock bands, headed by one of the most accomplished guitarists this country has ever produced, this is definately the gig for you!!

In addition to Miles on guitar and vocals, the band features Frank "Unkel B" Mizen on bass and Dan Mizen on drums.

Frank is a multi-instrumentalist, recording engineer/producer & and technical wizard who has known Miles since they both played together in Zoot and the Roots in the 1980s.  He has played trombone, bass, guitar & keyboards for over 30 years with the likes of The Jackson 5, Kate Bush, Ben E King, Little Angels (Scarborough’s own) and many others including The London Symphony Orchestra.   Frank's day job is writing & recording TV & Film music.

Dan is Frank's son and another consumate musician.  Among other things, he has played on the same bill as Robert Cray &, The Fabulous Thunderbirds. He is currently running his own recording studio in Harrogate where he also works on TV & Film music with Frank.

It's probably a bit early to be advertising November gigs but, in view of the wonderful reception Krissy Matthews received when he first featured at the Club in February 2010, we thought we'd give you a little advance notice of the next time he's due to visit us.  It's bound to be packed out, so make sure you book your tickets early for this one!!

By the time of this November gig Krissy Matthews will have reached the grand old age of 18, yet he's already a very impressive guitarists.  While his style is firmly rooted in the blues, he's also very original, very entertaining and a joy to watch.  Anyone who came to his last gig can testify to that.  This young man is really going places!!

Despite his age, he's already been the subject of a seven page feature in 'Blues Matters' Magazine, released 3 albums, toured widely throughout Europe and performed live on stage with many eminent blues figures including Walter Trout, Jeff Healey, Robben Ford, John Mayall, Devon Allman & Joe Bonamassa.

He first came to notice when he sat in with John Mayall and the BluesBreakers at the Notodden Blues Festival in Norway (he is half Norwegian).  That was in 2004.   He ended up playing  two nights running.  The ensuing media furore resulted in national radio, press and television interviews and appearances with many other top acts.

Since then he's performed throughout Europe, including a gig in front of 15,000 people in Portugal, a 15 date tour of Scandinavia and numerous appearances at Blues Festivals in the UK including Gloucester, Tring, Nantwich, Dundee Blues Bonanaza, Maryport Blues Festival, Colne Blues Festival, Appleby Blues Festival and Banbury Blues.

The current line up of his band is Krissy Matthews (guitar and vocals), Keith Matthews (bass), and Chris Sharley (drums).