About the artistes

Bayou Brothers and Sister
If it’s a foot-stomping, rockin’ swamp zydeco/blues jambalaya you’re after, then The Bayou Brothers and Sister from the USA are your go-to guys and gal! Founded in 1995 by John Chambers and Ric Lee, the band brings an infectious blend of Cajun and Zydeco music to the UK. Accordion, saxophone, guitar, bass, drums, rubboards, and three-part harmonies are combined in a musical mardi-gras, straight out of Louisiana’s dance clubs and bayou festivals. Let the Good Times Roll!!

Becky Brine & The ThreadBearz (pic right)
The twisted, tatty & time travelling brainchild of vocalist Becky Brine, The ThreadBearz is a stomping five piece band that aims to chuck as many tunes of a boogie boppy, and sometimes dirty nature, at you as possible....some classic tracks, some obscure and some contemporary twists. Featuring the boogie-miester Jason Baxter on piano.





Company B
Company B bring out their rowdy, energetic show perfect for a summer afternoon. Playing classic jump jive from the 40's and 50's alongside their own tongue in cheek originals, Cornwall's favourite GIs have been thrilling audiences throughout the South West.
www.companyb.org.uk

The Co-operative Big Band

The Co-operative Big Band is comprised of students and ex-students from across the city. Gavin Martin and Pete Twyman, who are both former professional musicians, run the band which is designed to "encompass and develop musicians from across the city to the highest standards possible".



Hamer and Isaacs
"Hamer & Isaacs play volcanic, swinging gypsy jazz. Whilst portraying the influence of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France, the unique addition of Rosie Corlett's soaring, flaming vocals is guaranteed to turn the thermostat up a notch. Rich Hamer (lead guitar) provides cut, thrust, panache and inspiration, and Mel Brindle (swing violin) utilises her impeccable classical pedigree to lend virtuosity to the flair of her improvisation. Julian Isaacs (rhythm guitar), a veteran of the gypsy jazz scene for over three decades, and talented composer and multi-instrumentalist Howard Kahn (double bass) provide the driving force that is the rhythm section."

Jeff Horsey
After fronting local bands and playing blues harp and singing as one half of a duo with Julian Piper, (who have played everywhere from the Barbican to Baton Rouge)  Jeff has re- invented himself as a guitar playing, harmonica howling,  foot stomping, one man show.  He does raucous, downbeat blues and desperado ballads, keeping the good stuff live and kickin’.  As well as his own songs he covers classic numbers from his own much sung and unsung heroes.
Myspace.com/jeffthehorsehorsey

DJ Hod’guez
DJ Hod’guez (Lee Hodge) is co-founder of The Rambunctious social club, Rambunctious has firmly established themselves as one of the South West’s most unique club/arts experiences. Hod'guez's recent DJ slots have included The Americas cup stage in Plymouth and Dartingtons ‘Interrogate’ festival. Expect a scintillating jive of sonic swing, bursting beats and fizzy fusions!
www.rambunctioussocialclub.com




Hot Potato Syncopators
The Hot Potato Syncopators are a comedy swing whoopee band featuring three eccentric English gentlemen. They have been taking the world by storm since the end of the Second World War, playing your favourite tunes of the 1920's 30's and 40's. The band comprises of ukulele, tea-chest bass and musical saw, comedy moments, stage theatricals, acts of ear and eye defying balancing, bangs bells hooters and pop guns.
http://www.tiptopchaps.com

Maggie Reeday
Maggie Reeday is one of the Westcountry's finest vocalists, and has had an illustrious career to date, playing with the creme de la creme of musicians who include: Scott Hamilton, who declared the she was "The real deal", Mark Nightingale (trombone), Digby Fairweather (trmpt), Dave Green(bass), and Roy williams. Maggie is currently touring with the fabulous Bateman Brothers paying tribute to Louis Armstrong/Velma Middleton, which also features the award- winning piano of Craig Milverton. They are fast gaining a great buzz around the jazz scene, and are appearing for the second time this year at Ronnie Scotts. Maggie has a wonderful dynamism on stage, which is very infectious! Miss her, miss out!

Mama Tokus
Entertainer Mama Tokus will be presiding over some of the on-stage proceedings at this year's Festival.
She's the resident floozy at the B-Bar, where she plays her soul, blues, gospel and R&B tunes - including self-penned tunes and crazy covers.
www.mamatokus.com


Michael Campari and the Solar System
'If you’re anything like me you think you’ve seen it all before – you know, the rat pack impersonator with a half decent voice who does a mean line in Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis tunes.
But Michael Campari is something else. He does bear a passing resemblance to a young Frank, when sporting his tilted angle trilby, 50s style suit and shirt collar loosened at the neck – but his voice has a sensual deep rich tone all of its own, an amalgam of natural ability plus classical training (he studied Italian opera), aided by several years’ intake of nicotine. An incredibly soulful vocal delivery, a certain rock’n'roll edginess and hugely charismatic persona gives him the X factor in spades, which is why not only is he in huge demand as the ultimate wedding singer, it also looks as if he’ll be performing at next year’s Glastonbury Festival!’ Clare Robinson, Plymouth Herald.

Michael Roach + Johnny Mars
During the past 2 years, acoustic country blues guitarist Michael Roach and electric blues harmonica player, Johnny Mars, have teamed up to form a blues duo. Together, they mix country acoustic and city electric blues styles to great effect.
As both musicians are based in the United Kingdom, it was a natural partnership. They are of African American origin with Michael born in Washington DC and Johnny in Laurens, South Carolina. It was through the Blues Week and Acoustic Blues Weekend educational programmes sponsored by the European Blues Association that paired them together. What started off as a jam has now turned into a professional collaboration that draw on their unique specialist skills. Combined, they have over 70 years of experience in blues music making and produced 16 recordings.
http://www.roachandmars.com/Speak Easy


Midnight Special
Midnight Special are a quartet combining blues, country, cajun, rock & roll and trad jazz with a western swing twist.
Laced with vocal harmonies, lapsteel slide guitar… and featuring Tim Trues inimitable skills on the Kazoo! A combination of musical elements that fuel a hybrid musical style that has audiences dancing and singing along with a smile on their face.
They sing, holler and shout their appeal across the age range from tiny tot, to silver surfer.You’ll be talking about them long after you’ve seen them!

Organology
Devon-based Organology set out their stall with a fine mix of standards and originals. Craig Milverton, winner of Jazz pianist of the year in 2010 British Jazz Awards, shows his versatility here on the mighty Hammond organ. Guitarist Neil Burns demonstrates why he is much in demand for his tasteful soloing and comping. Drummer Coach York keeps the fires burning with his crisp grooves. “With this group the southwest jazz has just got a whole lot more exciting!”  Jim Mullen. British Jazz Guitar Legend.



Roger Marks' Armada Jazz Band 
The band, formed in 1984, has long been established at the forefront of Britain’s traditional jazz scene with a stream of glowing tributes from jazz press and radio, such as: “Firm festival favourites” - Jazz UK Sept 96 “One of the most popular traditional outfits in the country combining taste, versatility and swing” - Jazz UK Sept 99 “It’s also my belief, voiced more than once on this programme, that the fluent warm and sonorous trombone playing of Westcountry-based Roger Marks is of world class quality and should be acclaimed as such” -  Humphrey Lyttelton BBC Radio

The Roosters

The Roosters are a lively, local five-piece Jump Jive Combo. Guaranteed to get your feet tapping, so dig out those dancing shoes and get grooving.


Son of Dave
Son of Dave makes a formidable racket. He brings the Blues kicking and howling into the 21st Century without thievery or pretension, creating funky ass Devil music with just his bare lips and hands. And he’s performing at the Barbican International Jazz and Blues Festival 2012.
A true bluesman, Son Of Dave sings from the heart, bitter words of women, ditties of Hellhounds and tales of the good ol' Hollywood lifestyle. As the songs build he screams and howls the vocals between blazing harmonica solos and muttered obscenities.
Son of Dave has made his wishes and intentions known. He wants to make grown men cry, be more successful than the White Stripes, and scare off guitar driven dullness with sweet Devil music that no-one can resist.
http://sonofdave.com


Steve Dow Band (pictured right)
Bringing together for the festival some of the South West's busiest and finest players; the band will be performing a blend of funked and jazzy blues tunes. With Steve Dow: guitar & vocals; James Clemas: keyboards; Kevin Sanders: bass; Nick Carter: drums.


Tom Ford
Born in a field 20-something years ago, Thomas Ford is a blues shouter, a guitar picker and a harmonica fire-breather.
His energetic live shows have taken him from Bodmin to Berlin, his records have sold from the Eastern Block to the East Indies and he has been played on radio shows from Luton to Laos.
Mixing delta blues traditions with nu-blues song-writing, this one man trio has been hailed as “The rising star of British blues”.

With two critically acclaimed albums already under his belt, expect a new record, new songs and a plethora of shows in 2012 for this truly unique musician.

www.reverbnation.com/thomasford

Unstrung Heroes
English folk song, Irish tunes, ragtime and blues, Appalachian songs and mountain tunes, Texas-swing waltzes, the occasional early country song - and even a bit of jazz thrown in for good measure!

Wildcards
Arguably, the most original and exciting British Blues & Roots band of recent years. The Wildcards have a widespread and growing following, built from constant touring and appearing at many of the biggest and most prestigious venues and festivals on the European Blues circuit. The Wildcards’ strength lies in the jaw-dropping, intense, high energy live performances given at every show by vocalist and guitarist Vince Lee, guitarist Martin Vowles, bass player Al Wallis and drummer Kevin Crowe.
"The Wildcards are fronted by the explosive Vince Lee, who puts out more energy than Sizewell-B Power Station, they defy pigeon-holing 'Rocka-punkabilly-power-swing-blues, devilish, filthy, passionate!' Throw in a world-class band, and what have you got? Barely restrained insanity and deeply wonderful music" Ashburton Blues Festival, UK
http://www.wildcardsweb.com/band.html