KING KING

Throughout the music industry King King is a name synonymous with, not only great music and outstanding musicianship, but with, and perhaps even more importantly, having a damn good time every time. 

When irrepressible leader Alan Nimmo walks out on stage wearing his now trademark kilt, fists in the air and a smile as wide and resplendent as Glasgow’s River Clyde itself there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that they are in for one of the best nights of their life - and that’s before the music has even started!

King King have never been a band content to simply ride the crest of their self made wave but instead have continued to work tirelessly to make that wave even bigger, stronger and ultimately better. 

Alan Nimmo is incapable of just sitting back when everything is going well and the accolades are flooding in. Absolutely not. He wants to take that level of excellence already achieved and turn it up a notch with every performance and every new release to try and become the best that he and his band can possibly be. And judging by public  response he is most definitely succeeding. 

After 2 long years which saw the music business on its knees, King King have not only survived but have come back with a new line up and an extra edge that is the envy of many of their peers. 

The addition of Alan’s brother Stevie on second guitar and vocals has added a breath of fresh air and a new dimension to the band. Something Alan had been looking for for quite some time. 

Added to the already stunning line up of Jonny Dyke (keys), and fellow Scots Andrew Scott (drums) and Zander Greenshields (bass), the mighty King King is sounding arguably the best it ever has. 

A string of sold out performances on their latest tours is testament to just that. 

Alan Nimmo has been in the music business for many years now - more than he can care to remember - but one thing has never changed. His desire to make honest, real music which comes from deep down within the soul.

It may well have been high profile support slots with the likes of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Thunder and Europe which opened King King’s music up to a much wider audience. But it was pure talent and hard work which got them there in the first place. The very same talent and hard work which has allowed them to continue on their ever widening path to success ever since. 

Many may feel a need to pigeon hole music, to give it a name and a place. Not King King. 

It’s just music. Real music. And real music always has and always will stand the test of time. 

King King’s music is the kind of music that makes people happy. 

And let’s face it, especially in these all too dark and difficult times, who doesn’t want to be happy?

Not convinced? It’s simple. Come along to a show and find out for yourself. 

‘The best band in the world’ might be a bold statement to back up. But rest assured Alan and the guys will give it their best shot every single night. 

You can bet your kilt on it!

 

NINE BELOW ZERO

Since their formation in 1977 NINE BELOW ZERO have developed a reputation as one of the best blues bands in the country. Their high energy live act was already well established by the time they signed to A&M RECORDS in 1980 and was forever captured on their classic live album 1980’s LIVE AT THE MARQUEE. Legendary producer GLYN JOHNS subsequently worked with the band on 1981’s DON’T POINT YOUR FINGER and they became a familiar sight on seminal TV shows like THE OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST, THE SOUTH BANK SHOW and memorably performed ‘’11+11’’ on the very first episode of anarchic comedy hit THE YOUNG ONES. High profile tours with THE WHO and The KINKS followed and although their musicianship was reaching new heights 1982’s THIRD DEGREE was the last album released by the classic line-up. During this hiatus Dennis formed the soul/pop outfit THE TRUTH producing two Top 20 singles in the UK and a Top 5 R&B hit in the US whilst Mark Feltham went on to become one of the most sought after harmonica players in the session world. The band made a triumphant return in 1990 to celebrate their 10th anniversary with an all new rhythm section consisting of BRENDAN O’NEILL (Drums) and GERRY MCAVOY (Bass) from RORY GALLAGHER’s band.

We are delighted to welcome Nine Below Zero back to Alfold, with the 4 piece line-up of Dennis Greaves, Mark Feltham, Sonny Greaves and Ben Willis.

 

DOM MARTIN

Although a young man relatively new to the scene, it would be wrong to think Dom Martin hasn't paid his life and musical dues. Brought up in the often tough, but community driven streets of Belfast Northern Ireland, Dom traded his craft for a time locally without a (self confessed) clue how to break into the (international) music business and possibly with too much humility to try. 'Discovered' by his present management, Dom has made a fairly 'meteoric' rise in terms of today's industry,

His jaw dropping, entirely natural sounding and unforced/unschooled skill on acoustic guitar, matched with an authentic 'Belfast Blues' voice, brings to mind comparisons with many from John Martyn to Rory Gallagher, with nods to many in-between, not least perhaps the likes of Van Morrison and Foy Vance. Dom has won multiple awards for his acoustic work with a 2019 European award, UK awards in 2020/2021 and 2022 and as a result is now an inductee in the UK Blues Hall of Fame.

Dom is equally adept on electric with his power trio, having won the UK Blues Awards Best Instrumentalist Award 2022. The trio is always an extremely popular addition to any blues/rock festival and Dom always likes to include a Rory Gallagher song or two amongst his originals as he strives “to keep Rory’s music alive”.

 Dom Martin is a very busy man indeed with a rapidly rising profile in the blues world. In April 2022, Dom released his sophomore studio album “A Savage Life” to rave reviews in the blues press and he was featured in and pictured on the front covers of “Blues Matters”, “Blues in Britain” and French magazine “Blues & Co”.  In May 2022 Dom was nominated in an unprecedented 5 categories at The UK Blues Awards (Blues Vocalist of The Year, Best Album of The Year, Best Blues Band of The Year, Blues Instrumentalist of The Year and Acoustic Blues Artist of The Year with Dom lifting the last two and playing at the awards ceremony in London. Also in May 2022 he played the KTBA Streamathon (hosted by Joe Bonamassa) and he also made his USA festival debut in Omaha Nebraska following him representing the UK at the IBC in Memphis in the solo/duo category, narrowly losing out in the semi finals to the eventual category winner.

 Hailed by many as the greatest Irish export since Rory Gallagher, 2023 is ripe for the picking for this multi award winner.

“Dom Martin is the next rising star in the global roots scene. Jump aboard now before he passes you by.” – Rock and Blues Muse

"A rare talent of SUCH sheer genius"  Blues in  Britain

"The Belfast guitarist is a sprawling talent" - Classic Rock Magazine

"Absolutely wonderful Stuff" Cerys Matthews -  BBC Radio 2

HUGH CORNWELL

STRANGLERS legend!

Hugh Cornwell is one of the UK's finest songwriting talents and accomplished live performers. The original guitarist, singer and main songwriter in the British rock band The Stranglers, he’s enjoyed massive UK and European success with 10 hit albums and 21 Top Forty singles, etching himself into the UK and Europe's musical psyche with classic songs, including Peaches, No More Heroes, Golden Brown, Always the Sun, Grip, Nice N Sleazy, Duchess and Skin Deep

THE CINELLI BROTHERS

The Cinelli Brothers is a project born out of a common passion for the electric Chicago and Texas blues from the 60s and 70s, when brothers Marco (guitarist and lead singer) and Alessandro (drummer) decided to form an explosive team showcasing original repertoire in the style of Chess, Stax and Motown.
Joining the two brothers on stage, Tom Julian-Jones on harmonica, guitar and vocals and Stephen Giry on bass, guitar and vocals.
Their debut album Babe Please Set Your Alarm was recorded at the Soup Studio in London and the full live and analog recording was released in May 2018 on vinyl and digital format.
The record went number 2 in the IBBA (Independent Blues Broadcasters' Association) in June 2018.
The band is been featured in Blues in Britain, Blues Matters, Classic Rock and other magazines.
This album comprises nine tasty original compositions and three finely crafted covers. ‘Chain of Fools’ by Don Covay (an Aretha hit), ‘Back Door Man’ – which stays true to Willie Dixon’s number - and Prince’s ‘Kiss’, in a remarkable shuffle rhythm.

Music Republic Magazine nominated Marco Cinelli as Best Guitar Player of 2018.
Legendary radio and broadcaster David ‘Kid’ Jensen has played a different track from their album on six consecutive weeks of his United Djs radio show, naming them as his favourite blues outfit, and his favourite blues album in many years.
On the 30th of November 2021 the band released their second album “Villa Jukejoint” in conjuction with a SOLD OUT show at the legendary 100 Club in London.
Recorded at home with only 1 microphone, the record has a unique vintage and retro feel typical of the ‘50s and earlier ‘60s!
February album of the month for the IBBA, which broadcasted a different song each week, the records has been featured magazines in the UK, Spain, and in the Netherlands, with fantastic reviews.
In 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 the band has been nominated for the UK Blues Awards as “Blues Band Of the Year”.
In January 2022 the record “Villa Jukejoint” was nominated for the UK Blues Awards as “Blues Album Of the Year”. 
In January 2023 the record “No Country For Bluesmen” was nominated for the UK Blues Awards as “Blues Album Of the Year”.

In September 2022 the band won the UK Blues Challenge. 
In January 2023 the bank ranked number 2 at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, US.

The Cinelli Brothers champion a new generation of passionate musicians sharing in the love of Blues, Soul, R&B and the true authentic sounds that have made the blues a cornerstone of music history.

BRAVE RIVAL

Brave Rival are the South East’s brand-new rip-roaring rock and blues Machine. Hailing from Portsmouth, the UK Blues Award Nominated band features the powerful and beautiful twin vocals of Chloe Josephine and Lindsey Bonnick. On lead guitar, providing dramatic guitar solos and crunching rock riffs is Ed “The Shred” Clarke. And holding it all together is the rhythmic backbone, the self-proclaimed engine room of Billy Dedman (bass) and Donna Peters (drums). Drawing influence from the likes of John Mayor, Aretha Franklin, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin and Tedeschi Trucks, Brave Rival offer a style and sound that you’ve always known, and yet never heard before. Since their inception in the summer of 2019, Brave Rival have gone from strength to strength, featuring in Raw Ramp Magazine as one of the 'Top 20 Bands To Watch In 2020' and nominated for 'Breakthrough Act 2019' by Get Ready To Rock Radio. At the turn of the decade, hot off the heels from supporting blues rock giants such as Stevie Nimmo and The Billy Walton Band, Brave Rival captured their raw energy live by recording their headline set to a gracious sold-out audience at Hook’s famous Echo Hotel Music Club. This fabulous set of early material was quickly released to critical acclaim as their first Live Album ‘Brave Rival Live at the Echo Hotel Music Club’. Keeping the momentum going, a Kickstarter was launched for their first studio album with the target being smashed by their loyal fanbase with time to spare. It was time to repay that loyalty with a studio album. Little did they know however, that the world was about to change forever. With the pandemic putting the brakes on recording plans, Brave Rival spent much of the UK Lockdowns writing new material via the power of Zoom calls and Google drive. The abundance of material produced served them well for the eventual recording of their debut album in the summer of 2021. Recorded at The Mayfair Studio in the picturesque Surrey countryside with producer slash seducer Tarrant Shepherd at their side, Brave Rival’s highly anticipated debut album “Life’s Machine” will arrive on May 6th 2022 with the first single, “Guilty Love” releasing on the 11th Feb. The future is looking incredibly bright for this young up and coming band. A successful set on the introducing stage at the 2022 Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Skegness saw them win the competition, securing a deserved place on the main stage in 2023. The relentless gigging and hard work in 2021 has also paid off for the band with a UK Blues Award Nomination for Best Emerging Blues Band. Brave Rival are a band on a meteoric rise, firing on all cylinders and are about to take the world by storm. Brave Rival’s unique combination of beautifully harmonic, soulful vocals, epic guitar solos, pounding drums and powerful bass serves up an infectious sound that is not to be missed.

DOCTOR FEELGOOD

GERRY JABLONSKI BAND

Powerful and energetic, standout act with an ultra confident, no-holds-barred swagger.

Gerry Jablonski and the Electric Band have a unique trademark sound and style.

Their raw and crafty stage show takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride of dangerous, charming and gutsy music with hooks and melodies that cross genres and age groups.

“an absolutely refreshing and life affirming experience. The best band you never heard of” Classic Rock  Magazine

2018 Blues Awards - UK Blues Act of the Year

 Live national TV appearances on STV

10 years road experience throughout Europe, UK and Scandinavia

​Sellout headline shows for Jazz Scotland

​5 self released albums

New single "Heavy Water" produced by Grammy award winning Stacy Parrish           

Critical praise in national music magazine  features and reviews

​New live album "LIVE at the Blue Note"

Radio play on BBC Radio 2

KANDA BONGO MAN

KANDA BONGO MAN

A glorious first appearance at Alfold for the joyous sounds of kwassa kwassa!

Kanda Bongo Man (born 1955 in Inongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo) is a Congolese soukous musician. His first solo albums where "Iyole" in 1981 and "Djessy" in 1982 and the success of these albums launched Kanda Bongo Man’s International career and led to an invite from world renowned progressive rock musician Peter Gabriel. Mr Kanda Bongo Man has also shared a stage with the late Grammy Award Winner “Mama Africa” Miriam Makeba and Jamaican Reggae Musician Jimmy Cliff just to name a few.

Mr Kanda Bongo Man is known for the structural changes he implemented to soukous music. The previous approach was to sing several verses and have one guitar solo at the end of the song. Kanda Bongo Man revolutionized soukous by encouraging guitar solos after every verse and even sometimes at the beginning of the song. His form of soukous gave birth to the kwassa kwassa dance rhythm where the hips move back and forth while the hands move to follow the hips. Your hips will be moving too!

JACKIE LYNTON

JACKIE LYNTON is one of the grand old men of Rock’n'Roll, claiming Ritchie Blackmore, Rick Parfitt, Chas Hodges, and Chris Farlowe among his personal friends. As a performer his career spans seven decades! A young silver suited crooner with a quiff cut his teeth in the clubs of Hamburg in the late 1950s before transforming into the vocalist with The Savoy Brown Blues Band in the 1960’s. By the 70’s Jack was writing songs with Rick Parfitt for Status Quo, and in the eighties he was fronting Diesel – a band formed with John Coghlan, Status Quo’s original drummer. In the nineties Jack dabbled in acting – regularly appearing as an “extra” on Eastenders while at the same time he was forming his current band, which features some faces with great music histories of their own. Bass Guitarist Colin Pattenden was a founder member of Manfred Mann’s Earth Band; while the two lead guitars are Chris Bryant who played with Arthur Brown and Mike Windus, one of Britain’s best session musicians; the combo is driven by the drumming of Spud Metcalf, of The Nashville Teens. Look forward to an amazing set of Rock’n'Roll, Blues and the occasional rude joke. Oh, and did I mention that Jack also writes poetry and Children’s stories ?? A man of huge talent, and a born entertainer.