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CONGLETON JAZZ & BLUES
2020
Bluefunk is delighted to be associated with the excellent CJAB and thrilled to have been invited to curate the headline show in Congleton Town Hall.
the other stage presents
9:30pm - 11pm
KYLA BROX, daughter of Blues Hall of Famer Victor, was deservedly crowned the Queen of British Blues last September at the 2018 UK Blues Federation's Blues Challenge. Wow, we always knew she was the best but it still blew us away.
And then........... she was invited to the Azores to represent UK in the European Blues Challenge where she swept away all comers to be crowned the Queen of European Blues, totally amazing. Kyla has been a star across Europe for some time so this was not a complete surprise to those who know what an incredible performer she is, but nonetheless the balloon has really gone up over there now and she been invited to play festivals and events right across the continent. We are privileged to to have her to headline this amazing day.
Memphis for the International blues challenge was the toughest of them all. Largely considered impossible to win if you are not American, Kyla reached the semi finals and was then predictably precluded from further progress by virtue of not being American. The judges could not stop her from being the toast of Memphis however, as the locals adored her and followed her everywhere. I predict she will return and conquer the entire continent.
Bluefunk has been a fan of Kyla since before it existed (I first saw her aged 14 singing with her dad Victor) and we could never have too much Kyla. She is easily the finest female voice in European blues for a generation.
Trish Watt and the Unscene Herd
8:15pm - 9:00pm
Sometimes what you are diligently searching for just happens to be right under your nose.
I trawl the world for acts to place on the Bluefunk stage and I have had my efforts rewarded time and again by finding the most incredible acts from across three continents. Then suddenly something from literally a few miles down the road stands up and metaphorically bites you on the nose. This is just such an act, from far off exotic Winsford (and other bits of Cheshire) and not only that I knew half the band personally.
In my defence they had been deliberately kept secret, even from each other(?) and by and large in the wider world still are, so unless you are amongst the privileged few that have seen them at Bluefunk, you will be blissfully unaware of what a treat you are in for.
This is the kind of band I dream of finding. Each member is immensely skilled, heavily road tested (with many other bands) and have the musical intuition and rapport that is the very essence of a great blues band. It just feels like they really want to play together.
What's more their leader Trish, is a world class guitarist.
You won't forget seeing this band. Best of luck finding them again.
'Ere have a listeh to this, recorded live at Bluefunk.
You Can't Fool Me - Trish watt & Unscene Herd
00:00 / 00:00
Cry Baby and the Hoochie Coochie Boys
7:00pm - 7:45pm
A local band. I suppose it would be a tad unfair to leave it at that but local band they certainly are. Frankly any locality would be more than happy to claim this unlikely looking lot as rightfully theirs. They are, in a nutshell, a bloody good band. Surely those of you local to Congleton and its environs are fully aware of their excellence, and will know that any decent billing in your town requires their presence. For this particular bill it was a no brainer. These chaps are no strangers to Bluefunk having first played for us in 2010 at one of our famous Christmas parties and several of their members have visited us many times with other bands and notably as punters coming to watch others.
Possibly more important is the fact that the very fine town festivals, Congleton Jazz and Blues and the Acoustic Festival earlier this year, can be said to owe their very existence to the hard work and vision of some members of this band. Without them this event would not be happening - fact!
If there was ever a band that deserved your thanks, kudos and support it is Cry Baby and the Hoochie Coochie Boys. As I said - a local band, and a bloody good one.
for entire weekend programme click here
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