Natty Bo presents Killer Dillers - Sat 29 Nov

Natty Bo's Killer Dillers club night returns to central London for a second outing on Saturday 29th November. This time the venue is Guy's Bar near London Bridge - another club owned by The King's College Student Union, so expect the same super cheap drinks prices. Natty tells me this venue is more intimate and more atmospheric than Tutu's, though I'm not sure whether this one has a view of the river.

Musically you can expect another phenomenal night of 78rpms from Natty and Count Sizzle covering blues, jazz, swing, calypso, mento and Latin sounds so don't miss out!

Killer Dillers (part 2) @ Guy's Bar
St. Thomas Street (through courtyard), London Bridge, SE1 9RT
9pm - 2.30am
£5 admission

Right On! weekend - 14-15 November - Vibe Bar & Ronnie Scott's

I'm extremely sorry to announce that I just received a phone call telling me the management of Ronnie Scott's have cancelled my night there tomorrow (15 Nov). Apparently they double booked the venue and forgot to tell the promoters and DJs until this evening! Unfortunately there was absolutely nothing I could do to change this decision.

All I can do is offer my sincerest apologies to you all. Especially for the unbelievably short notice. If I had any idea this could have happened I would never have arranged the night there.

Not only has this messed up my night and wasted many hours of my time spent in promoting and preparing it, but another 100 or more people have also had their Saturday night messed up including people who were going to celebrate their birthday there and some who had planned to travel from outside of London.

Please could I ask you to pass this information on to anyone you know who might be planning on attending tomorrow night? I would really hate for anyone to waste their time and money travelling down there.

I can only apologise again and assure you I will do everything in my power to never allow this to happen again at any venue I DJ at in the future.

Fortunately tonight (Friday the 14th November) is still happening, so come down to Chick-A-Boom at The Vibe Bar to hear me and Mistah Brown plus special guest Andy Smith (Portishead, Jazz Cafe, Lost & Found, Document, etc.). We'll be playing plenty of ska, reggae, Northern soul and rockin' rhythm & blues.

Chick-A-Boom @ The Vibe Bar
Friday 14th November
The Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL
8pm - 1am. £5 (NB. over 21s only)

Festival New Orleans @ The O2 - 24-25 Oct

New Orleans r&b and funk legends Allen Toussaint and Dr. John are to headline a free festival at The O2 this weekend along with a large line-up that covers blues, r&b, gospel, jazz and other old-school musical genres associated with the Crescent City.

The festival is possibly the largest ever celebration of New Orleans music and culture outside of the USA and runs from 4pm til 11pm on Friday and 3pm til 11pm on Saturday. Admission is absolutely free and there is no need to book - just turn up. As well as all the live music across 3 stages, there will also be traditional cuisine on sale and even a recreation of the legendary Bourbon Street.

Festival New Orleans @ The O2
Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX
Nearest tube: North Greenwich (Jubilee line)
(but be warned there are closures on the Jubilee line on Saturday)

For full details visit www.theo2.co.uk/inside/festival-new-orleans.html

To read more about Allen Toussaint check out: www.nynorecords.com/allen.shtml

New club night from Natty Bo - Sat 25 Oct

Natty Bo - resident at Gaz's Rockin' Blues club and one of my favourite DJs - is hosting a new night called Killer Dillers this coming Saturday 25th October.

Along with DJ Count Sizzle and guests, this is to be a night of "hot music from the 1920s-1950s" all played on 78rpm records. Think jump blues, calypso, mento, hot jazz, swing, cumbia, etc.

The action takes place at KCLSU (King's College London Student Union) and, being a student venue, drinks are super cheap (beer from £1.50, £2 for a vodka). Even better is the fact the night runs til 4am.

Details as follows:

Killer Dillers @ KCLSU (Macadam Building)
Saturday 25 October
10.30pm - 4am. £5 on the door
Surrey Street, London, WC2R 2NS (nearest tube: Temple)

R&B allnighter with Big Joe Louis live - Sat 18 Oct

Blues and r&b fans, don't miss this! On Saturday 18th October I will be DJing at a Rhythm & Blues allnighter at The Hootananny in Brixton alongside a live set from the fantastic Big Joe Louis - one of Britain's greatest blues voices.

Born and raised in Jamaica, Big Joe Louis has lived in Britain since the 1980s and has been twice voted "Best UK Male Blues Vocalist". His band The Blues Kings are widely considered one of the best in the UK.

As well as recording with David "Honeyboy" Edwards and Van Morrison, Big Joe Louis has played with artists such as: Lazy Lester, R L Burnside, Big Jack Johnson, Homesick James, Louisiana Red, Big Bad Smitty and Big Lucky Carter to name but a few.

His albums for Blue Horizon and Ace Records are highly acclaimed and his latest dancefloor 45 "Go Go Train" has won him popularity on the mod scene.

You can expect a rockin' dancefloor set from Big Joe Louis to get you on your dancing feet and I'll be keeping the vibe going before and after with some killer diller 50s and 60s r&b and soul platters as well as some ska thrown in for good measure.

To top it all off, admission to this night is absolutely free. But arrive early to guarantee admission!

Full details as follows:

Right On! Rhythm & Blues Allnighter @ Hootananny Brixton
Saturday 18th October. 10pm - 4am
95 Effra Road, London, SW2 1DF. (020) 7737 7273
(nearest tube: Brixton)
Admission FREE

For more information about Big Joe Louis and to listen to some of his music visit myspace.com/bigjoelouis

Walking In Rhythm @ Ronnie Scott's - 6 September

After running successfully every Friday for more than 6 months, Walking In Rhythm is to relaunch as a weekly Saturday session upstairs at the legendary Ronnie Scott's Club on the 6th September.

Thanks to two fantastic nights earlier in the year, I have been asked back by resident DJ Jimbo to join him on the decks again at the relaunch party and will be playing another three hour Right On! style set - which means nothing but the finest vintage black dance music on original vinyl.

Expect to hear plenty of soul, rhythm & blues, jazz, funk, ska, reggae and boogaloo plus a touch of samba, mambo, calypso and other exciting sounds from myself and Jimbo.

This will be a unique night in one of the coolest venues in London (see photo) - reminiscent of the days when Right On! ran down the road in Chinatown.

And to guarantee a great crowd, I have been given an unlimited free guestlist for all my contacts. So, if you would like to come along without having to pay a penny, just drop me an email ASAP to paul@right-on.org with the full names of anyone thinking of coming along.

Walking In Rhythm @ Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club (upstairs bar)
47 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1D 4HT (opposite Bar Italia)
Saturday 6th September
9pm - 3am

To find out more about Ronnie Scott's Club visit their website:
www.ronniescotts.co.uk

Burlesque Social Club launch party - Sat 26 July

Chaz Royale (aka Chaz Royal) - the man behind the excellent annual London Burlesque Festival - is launching a new night called The London Burlesque Social Club which will take place at two locations each month. Taking place on the last Saturday of each month at The Apothecary in King's Cross and the first Thursday of each month at Madame Jojo's in Soho, this new night will showcase the best in Bawdy Burlesque, Cabaret & Vaudeville - locally & from abroad.

Every month the Social Club promises a rotating cast of Burlesque Strip Teasers, Variety & Novelty Acts, Slap Stick Comedians, Hilarious Hosts & Hot DJs playing vintage sounds to rock the dancefloor until the early hours. I have been invited to do a guest DJ spot at the launch party on 26th July at The Apothecary and am really looking forward to it. Especially as visiting American burlesque artiste Sienna Sinclaire will be putting on an exclusive performance. Details as follows:

Date: Saturday July 26th
Venue: The Apothecary
Location: 3 Vale Royal, N7 9AP (next to the Egg Club)
Nearest tube: King's Cross
Doors: 9pm - 3am (show 10pm - 1am)
Price: £15.00

Good news is that I have been offered a '2-4-1' concession for all my readers. This means that two people can go along for just £15 (instead of £15 each).

To take advantage of this great offer, just email your full name to chazroyal@hotmail.com mentioning my name: Jean-Paul Séculaire.

NOTE: Offer expires on 25th July at 12 Noon.

For more info about the Burlesque Social Club (including full line-ups) vist: www.myspace.com/londonburlesque

Gladdy Wax @ Chick-A-Boom! - Fri 11 July

Jamaican sound system legend Gladdy Wax joins me and Mistah Brown at Chick-A-Boom! this Friday. Last time I DJ'd alongside Gladdy was at Right On! in September 2006, so I'm thrilled to have him back on the decks with me for some soul, funk, rhythm & blues and of course not forgetting the scorching ska!

Chick-A-Boom! @ The Vibe Bar (upstairs)
The Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London, E1
(nearest tube/train: Liverpool Street)
Friday 11th July
8pm - 1am
£4

The Five Aces live - Sat 5th July

Glasgow's finest Rhythm & Soul group, The Five Aces, will be playing a rare London gig on Saturday 5th July at The Hootananny in Brixton.

The Hootananny Brixton is a new live music venue which has a programme of gigs covering ska, soul, funk and jazz.

The Five Aces (and their other incarnation, The Bottleneckers) are a great band, so I'm chuffed that I've been asked to DJ at this night. I DJ'd for them once before a few years ago at an open-air gig in Italy, but they went by the name of The Boogaloo Investigators at that time.

Doors open at 8pm with DJs from the Pigsnoots club warming things up. The band will be on at around 10pm and then I'll be on afterwards spinning a two hour set of 50s and 60s r&b and soul. The Pigsnoots DJs will take over again until 4am to finish off the night.

Like most of the Hootananny's gigs, admission to this night is free, and knowing The Five Aces I expect this to be a real jumping jamboree, so make sure you bring your dancing shoes!

If you're not familiar with the band, you can listen to some of their music on their MySpace page: www.myspace.com/thefiveaces

The Hootananny is located at:
95 Effra Road (corner of Brixton Water Lane), SW2 1DF

For more information about the venue visit: www.hootanannybrixton.co.uk

The Shingaling Thing club returns - 19th July

Two of my favourite DJs, Mark Ellis and Will Bourton, are relaunching their much-missed London club night - It's A Shingaling Thing! - at The Apple Tree pub on Saturday 19th July.

The Shingaling Thing at The Net Bar on Hanway Street was one of my favourite club nights because, quite simply, nowhere else played the same sort of quality jazz and Latin tunes. Amazingly it's been around 5 years since the last one, though in that time both Mark and Will have been busy DJing at other nights, such as my Home Cookin' jazz session.

Mark and Will are joined for this relaunch by special guests French Fred and Jo Sadler (both of whom guested at the club back in the day), so expect a top-notch mix of dancefloor jazz, Latin boogaloo, R&B, 60s soul and reggae.

The Apple Tree is found at: 45 Mount Pleasant, London, WC1X 0AE

Admission to the night is free and it runs from "8 til late".

Gene Drayton Unit live @ The 100 Club - 19th July

Arguably London's most popular Hammond combo, The Gene Drayton Unit (GDU) are set to return to The 100 Club for a live gig on Saturday 19th July.

The GDU are one of those bands that not only sound good, but are a real treat to watch perform too. The atmosphere at their 100 Club gigs is always electric and it's a real pleasure to watch them work the audience up into a frenzy. Sax player Mark Norton in particular always impresses with his dancing.

Their catchy club sound is a blend of 60s soul, jazz, funk, blues and even 60s pop and garage punk.

If you haven't seen them play live before, this is the time to do it.

Tickets are £7 in advance or £10 on the door. You can buy tickets online from: www.wegottickets.com/event/31603

To find out more about the band and listen to some of their tracks visit: http://www.myspace.com/genedraytonunit

Free blues gig featuring James Hunter - 30 April

Tomorrow - Wednesday 30th April - sees an afternoon of blues acts playing live at the HMV flagship store on Oxford Street. And all for free, courtesty of Mojo Magazine which is launching its 2008 Honours List celebrations.

The music starts at 12.30pm with Son Of Dave, followed by the sensational James Hunter (who I cannot recommend highly enough) at 1.30pm.

There's then a break until 6pm, when Pete Molinari kicks the music off again. The full line-up is as follows:

12.30 Son Of Dave
13.30 James Hunter

18.00 Pete Molinari
19.00 The Fall

The HMV flagship store is located at:
150 Oxford St, London, W1D 1DJ.
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus.

For full details click here.

For More info on James Hunter including London and UK tour dates visit: www.jameshuntermusic.com

London Burlesque Festival - 2nd-6th April

Tonight sees the start of Chaz Royale's second annual London Burlesque Festival. This is a 5 day extravaganza spread across 8 separate venues and featuring dozens of British and international performers as well as live bands and DJs.

Burlesque has been growing in popularity in London for a few years now, and features regularly at club nights like Lady Luck as well as dedicated nights like The Whoopee Club and The Flash Monkey. There are even popular burlesque lessons and courses springing up. But this has to be the biggest showcase to hit London yet.

I've been invited along to the launch party tonight and will be reporting back... so watch this space!

For tickets and full details visit www.londonburlesquefest.com

The 45rpm Jukebox Jump-off - SAT 23 FEB

I'm very pleased to be playing another Right On! style set this coming Saturday. I've been invited to join resident DJ Simon Stretch on the decks at his Stormy Weather night at Barrio North - a bar opened last year dedicated to vintage and underground music.

We will be spinning a mix of 1950s-1970s black music - all off of original 45s. Expect to hear some fantastic rockin' r'n'b, 60s soul, funk, jazz, ska, reggae, mambo, calypso, boogaloo and whatever other aural curiosities spring to mind.

Simon and I DJ'd alongside each other at the last Rakehell's Revels and complemented each other perfectly, so I am really excited at this chance to DJ with him again.

Details as follows:

Stormy Weather presents the 45rpm Jukebox Jump-off
@ Barrio North, 45 Essex Road, London, N1 2SF (tube: Angel)
SATURDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2008
8pm til 1.30am; FREE entry

Home Cookin' after-party - Sunday 10th February

Well, this Sunday's Home Cookin' looks like being a really busy one! I've had great response to my promotion and we've even been recommended in this week's Time Out magazine. For full details on the night see my earlier blog post or check out www.right-on.org

If you're thinking of coming, please do get down early, as the band will be on at 7.30pm (you don't want to miss them!) and the night finishes at 10.30pm.

However, for those of you who don't have work the next morning, I can now confirm we will be holding a Right On! style after-party at a secret West End venue (to be revealed on the night). This will feature across-the-board vintage black music from the 50s, 60s and 70s played by special guest DJs Texas Ranger (Trojan Explosion), Mark Professor (Trojan Explosion, Reference Library), Truck Turner (Reference Library) and David Atkinson (Brighton).

Texas Ranger (pictured above at Right On!) and Mark Professor are famous for their sweet reggae selections whilst Truck Turner and David Atkinson are better known for playing dancefloor jazz. However, all of these DJs have vast record collections and play a whole range of styles: from jazz, soul and r&b through to ska, reggae and Latin boogaloo. One things for sure, they all know how to rock a dance.

This is truly going to be an unforgettable night, so I do hope you can make it!

Make It 'n' Shake It! - Sunday 3rd February

Well this year is proving to be a busy one for me so far. As well as my Home Cookin' jazz session, I've also got a great night coming up on Sunday 3rd February called Make It 'n' Shake It!

Me and Mistah Brown from Tighten Up will be salvaging what's left of the weekend with a riotous mix of Stax stompers, Motown movers, heavy Hammond groovers, scorchin' ska, Southern-fried soul, hip bumpin' funk, rollickin' rhythm 'n' blues and good old rock 'n' roll for all you hipsters, flipsters, finger-poppin' mamas & jive-talkin' daddies thinking about taking tomorrow off work!

The venue comes complete with a wooden floor too - perfect for dancing. Plus there's a back garden for the smokers.

And to top it all off, it won't cost you a dime to get in!

Details as follows:

Make It 'n' Shake It! @ The Old Queen's Head (upstairs bar)
DATE: Sunday 3rd February
TIMES: 5pm - Midnight
ADDRESS: 44 Essex Road, London, N1 8LN
ADMISSION: FREE

DJ Jean-Paul @ Ronnie Scott's - Fri 25 January

Some very exciting news - I've been invited to guest DJ upstairs at the legendary Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Soho. Needless to say, this is something of a dream come true for me! It's a weekly night called Walking In Rhythm which has a music policy very similar to Right On! - i.e. the best of vintage black music. This gives me a rare opportunity to play a mixed set like those I play at Right On! I'll be bringing along a bit of everything: jazz, soul, rhythm & blues, doo wop, funk, ska, calypso, reggae, boogaloo, mambo, samba and more - all on original vinyl.

The session is held in the smart upstairs bar at Ronnie Scott's which was given a complete facelift when the club was refurbished a year or so back.

For those who don't know, Ronnie Scott's is probably the UK's most important and famous modern jazz venue. It opened in Gerrard Street in 1959 and moved to its current premises opposite Bar Italia in Frith Street in 1965. Like Ronnie Scott's, Bar Italia is also still going strong and is the perfect place for a late night cappuccino after Ronnie Scott's kicks out at 3am.

This is going to be a night to remember, and until I find a perfect new venue for Right On!, this should be a fix for anyone who has been missing it as much as I have. It's only a fiver to get in too - or free if you get there early enough - so being skint shouldn't be a problem either. And who knows, if I draw a big enough crowd maybe they'll invite me back!

The details are as follows:

Walking In Rhythm @ Ronnie Scott's (upstairs bar)
Date: Friday 25th January
Time: 7pm - 3am
Admission: FREE before 9pm / £5 before 11pm / £8 after 11pm
Address: 47 Frith Street, London, W1D 4HT
Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road

The final Rakehell's Revels - 18 December

Sadly there is now to be just one last ever Rakehell's Revels. This will take place on Tuesday 18th December.

Whether you are a regular, or have never been before, make sure you get down to this! It is your last chance to enjoy one of London's very best nights out.

I still don't know what exactly has prompted this club night to come to an end, though I am determined to get to the bottom of it.

I've never DJ'd at the club before myself, but I am honoured that David Piper has asked me to play a set at this final shindig. There will be many other DJs on the night too, so the individual sets are likely to be shorter than normal, but it should be a great fun night for everyone involved. I'm certainly very excited at the prospect of playing some tunes to the up-for-it crowd at this exquisite venue.

Remember to put on your finest threads for this too, as there is a strict smart dress code. This is one night where it really is worth dressing to the nines to match the glamour of the venue.

For full details see the listing here: www.londondossier.info/clubs.htm#tue

DJ Jean-Paul @ Trojan Explosion - 30 November

As readers of the Clubs page will know, Trojan Explosion is a monthly Friday session that I rate very highly. It's held in a brilliant basement venue in the heart of the West End and has a great mix of music - both obscurities and classics.

One of the resident DJs there, Texas Ranger, has kindly asked me to DJ with her this Friday, 30th November, while her partner in crime Mark Professor is away in the Caribbean.

Despite the name, the night is a really good mix of rockin' R&B, 60s soul, funk and soul-jazz alongside the ska, rocksteady and reggae. I'm very excited about this as it's a musical formula I love and is quite close to the sort of mix I play at Right On!

Anyway, very short notice I know, but I thought I'd post the info up here in case anyone is looking for somewhere to go this Friday and fancies hearing some of my tunes. Plus it's FREE before 11pm - bonus! Details as follows...

Trojan Explosion @ Market Place (downstairs bar)
11 Marketplace (behind Oxford Street), London, W1 8AH
Friday 30th November; 8pm-1am
FREE before 11pm then £7

DJing at Shuga Push - Saturday 24 November

A bit last minute, but I've just been booked to guest DJ at a club night called Shuga Push this Saturday - 24th November.

This is a night of Blues, Booze 'n' Burlesque. It used to be based at the Buffalo Bar in Islington, but has now moved to a great little 30s New York style Art Deco bar near Euston. Check out the venue online here: http://www.positively4thstreet.co.uk/

Myself and DJ Suave will be playing some swing and jazz early on and then tearin' the place apart later with dirty foot stompin' rhythm & blues platters to get you jumping, jiving, rockin' and rolling.

It's only a fiver to get in, or just a mere 3 quid before 8pm, so it won't break the bank. Get down early if you can as it's a great venue, but quite intimate, so will probably get quite busy later on.

Should be a real nice atmosphere with just music lovers and people in the know down there. There's unlikely to be any troublemakers or late-night drunks passing by, as the venue is central but a little off the beaten track.

The nearest tube station is Warren Street, but it's also just a short walk from Euston Square and Euston stations.

Full details as follows:

Shuga Push @ Positively 4th Street
119 Hampstead Road, NW1 3EE. (020) 7388 5380
Saturday 24th November. 7pm-1am
£3 before 8pm then £5 (£8 after 11pm)

Hope to see you there!

Can't Chain Up Me Mind @ The Vortex - 8th-9th November

Can't Chain Up Me Mind is an interesting sounding musical performance coming up at the Vortex Jazz Club on the 8th and 9th November.

Written by Tony Haynes with lyrics by Valerie Bloom and John Matshikiza, this show commemorates the bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

Press release:

"This brand new show remembers the Atlantic slave trade, but celebrates its great musical legacy – jazz and the music of Cuba and the Caribbean.

"The first set is built on music typical of West Africa, the Caribbean and Latin-America today – especially the dance rhythms of hi-life, salsa, ska, calypso and soca – music that has evolved from centuries of cultural mixing between Africa and the Americas.

"The second set takes the form of a New Orleans funeral – 'birth, death and life again' – as a metaphor for the historical journey taken by slaves, and their indomitable efforts to maintain their culture and identity in exile and adversity.

"Hymns and spirituals, Yoruba chants and drumming, reggae, samba and modern New Orleans marching music, steel pans, blues and stunning jazz improvisation and powerful, dramatic original songs are all brought together to create a vivid picture of slavery, and the glorious music it eventually gave birth to."

The show features a range of great African, Caribbean and Latin-American musicians and jazz soloists from the Grand Union Orchestra:

Claude Deppa (South Africa) - trumpet, African drums
Kevin Robinson (England) – trumpet, flugelhorn
or Byron Wallen (Belize) – trumpet, flugelhorn
Chris Biscoe (England) – soprano & alto saxophones
Louise Elliott (Australia) – tenor saxophone, flute, congas
Harry Brown (England) – trombone
Tony Haynes (England) – trombone, piano
Andy Grappy (England) – tuba
Josefina Cupido (Spain) – Latin percussion, voice
Bravo Fimber (Trinidad) – steel pan, timbales
Gerry Hunt (England) – guitar, soprano & baritone saxophones
Andres Lafone (Uruguay) – bass guitar
Brian Abrahams (South Africa) – drums, voice

For further details visit: http://www.grandunion.org.uk/

Alternatively you can contact Alison Jones on (020) 7375 1122 or by email on alison@grandunion.org.uk

For details of the Vortex Jazz Club visit their website: http://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/

The end of Rakehell's Revels

More unhappy tidings to report: Rakehell's Revels – one of London's top club nights, and one of my favourites – is to come to an end.

Rakehell's has run every Tuesday (excusing summer breaks) for a few years now. The final date was planned for mid December, but last-minute news just in informs me that next Tuesday's Halloween bash (30th October) will be the last until two farewell finales in December.

I have so far been unable to ascertain the exact reason for this premature finish, but will let you know as and when I find out more.

In any case, it is a real loss for London's club scene and I strongly advise you to get down to these last three sessions. I am sure that they will all be very well attended, as Rakehell's is an extremely popular night, so do get down early to ensure you get in.

I'm honoured that host David Piper has invited me to spin a few tunes myself at one of the December finales. I'll post the date and details when this is confirmed.

For full details on Rakehell's Revels see the review on my Club Guide here: www.londondossier.info/clubs.htm

Do also check out the great Rakehell's Revels CDthat came out a few months back.

White Mischief @ The Scala - Sat 10 Nov

I'm very excited to be DJing at The Scala on Saturday 10th November for a night called White Mischief: From The Earth To The Moon. This promises to be a unique indoor festival over 3 floors featuring live music, DJs, burlesque and cabaret.

I'll be DJing in the main room (capacity 500+) supporting ace soul band Lord Large and British Sea Power with a set of 60s soul and other related dancefloor sounds. I'll be on from around midnight til 3am.

Lord Large have been making a great name for themselves with their authentic 60s soul and ska releases on Acid Jazz. If you haven't seen them live yet, you're in for a treat.

For full details see the flyer below or visit: http://www.whitemischief.info/

To buy advance tickets online visit: http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=235130

The Pretty Things and Arthur Brown live - 30 Nov

An interesting gig coming up in November...

Eel Pie Club presents The Pretty Things + The Amazing World of Arthur Brown live in concert

Date: Friday 30th November 2007
Venue: York House, Richmond Road, Twickenham, London TW1 3AA
Price: £23.00

I saw both acts playing rhythm & blues sets at the 100 Club a couple of years back for the launch of the Martin Scorsese Blues films and I have to say they were both very good. Arthur Brown in particular still has a great voice. Not sure what sort of material they'll be playing this time, but should be well worth checking out. The Pretty Things don't play live in London very often so if you're a fan make sure you don't miss it.

For more information and to buy tickets vist:
http://www.keithprowse.com/tickets/slink.buy/e.MXV/Eel_Pie_Club_Presents:_The_Pretty_Things_+_The_Amazing_World_of_Arthur_Brown_+_The_Malchicks--York_House--Twickenham.html

The Spitz to close after 11 years

More sad news... yet another London landmark is to close.

Despite a well supported campaign to keep it open, The Spitz is being forced to close after more than a decade as one of London's most popular alternative music venues. Its last night of business in its current premises will be Thursday 27th September.

The Spitz is a project of registered charity The Dandelion Trust and is currently hoping to relocate.

The Spitz is not the first alternative music venue in recent years to be threatened with closure in the name of 'progress'.

The same thing happened to the Vortex jazz club not long ago, though fortunately they have now settled into a new home. The Dive bar in Soho was not so lucky as that closed its doors forever a couple of years back.

And despite campaigning leading to it being Listed, there is also still an ongoing battle to return live music to the Rayners in Rayners Lane - former home of Club Ska (see http://www.clubska.com/)

Press release regarding The Spitz's last night below:

"The Spitz marks its last night at Old Spitalfields Market on Thursday 27th September with a very special celebration. Inspired by Art Kanes world famous 1958 photograph of jazz musicians in Harlem, "A Great Day in Harlem", we will stage "A Great Night in The Spitz" gathering together all the fantastic jazz, blues and folk musicians who have played at the Spitz in our eleven year history at Old Spitalfields Market.

"A Great Night in The Spitz" will be staged on both floors of The Spitz. In the Spitz venue a rolling improvised all star jazz jam with Miles Danso and The Spitz Jazz Collective at its core will feature all the magnificent London jazz musicians who have played at the Spitz including Gwyneth Herbert, Seb Rochford, Peter Wareham, Tom Herbert, Bukky Leo, Terry Edwards, Shri and many more. On the ground floor in The Spitz Bistro, Sandy Dillion heads up a very special night of blues and folk with Pete Molinari, Monc and more.

The evening begins at 7 pm sharp in The Spitz Bistro to the ethereal harp playing of Kat Arney. This will be the last music event The Spitz holds at 109 Commercial Street, we look forward to seeing you at The Spitz party to end all parties! £15 adv"

To buy tickets for this event visit: http://wegottickets.com/event/21636

For more information about the Spitz and its last few remaining shows at Spitalfields visit: http://www.spitz.co.uk/

The Spitz is currently based at:
109 Commercial Street, Old Spitalfields Market, London E1 6BG

Rakehell's Revels CD launch

Rakehell's Revels - London's most exciting and glamourous Tuesday night club - has just released an excellent CD compilation featuring the kind of tunes you will hear at their soirees.

You can see the tracklist and order a copy from Amazon here:

Rakehell's Revels CD - Amazon.co.uk

A launch party is being held on Tuesday 19th June. This is expected to be very busy so arrive early and make sure you dress up!

For more information on Rakehell's Revels visit the London Dossier clubs page: www.londondossier.info/clubs.htm

Blues legend Dave "Honeyboy" Edwards live!

A truly unique gig coming up in August this year.

The "Not The Same Old Blues Crap" UK tour will be featuring none other than 91 year old Delta blues legend Dave "Honeyboy" Edwards!

DAVE "HONEYBOY" EDWARDS is the last of the original Mississippi Delta country blues guitar players still playing out at an astonishing 91 years of age! Honeyboy was a contemporary of - and played with - Robert Johnson, Tommy Johnson, Big Joe Williams, Howlin' Wolf and a host of other Delta legends. Do not miss this chance to catch him playing live.

Details of the London date are as follows:

NTSOCS PRESENTS DAVE "HONEYBOY" EDWARDS @ THE SPITZ
SATURDAY 16TH AUGUST

Support from: Michael Frank + Dave Peabody
Admission: £15.00 advance / £ 17.50 on the door
Doors: 7pm
Venue: The Spitz, 109 Commercial Street, Old Spitalfields Market, London E1 6BG
Box office: (020) 7392 9032
Online bookings: http://www.wegottickets.co.uk/event/19309

For more info visit: http://www.spitz.co.uk/ and http://www.punkrockblues.co.uk/

James Hunter @ The Jazz Cafe

Still touring hard, and continuing to make TV appearances on the likes of Jools Holland, the amazing James Hunter will be back in London performing for two nights only at the Jazz Cafe in Camden.

Dates: Wednesday 1st & Thursday 2nd August 2007
Doors: 7pm
Advance tickets: £17.50

The Jazz Cafe, 5 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7PG (Nearest tube: Camden Town)

For more info visit: http://www.jazzcafe.co.uk/

And to find out more about James Hunter, visit his official website where you can also listen to some of his music:

http://www.jameshuntermusic.com/

Great club night - Sat 21 April 2007

EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK

@ Bar Sesto,

254 Edgware Rd, London W2 1DS (tube: Edgware Road)

Saturday 21st April 2007

This is a great fun club night at a lovely venue run by three of my good friends (Mark Professor, Texas Ranger and Truck Turner) who are all excellent DJs with huge collections of vinyl.

The night runs from 9pm til 2am and musically anything goes! Soul, Reggae, Rocksteady, Funk, Punk, Indie, Jazz etc. etc. etc. The DJs will be digging deep into their record collections for a unique and completely eclectic selection.

NOTE: Admission is only 3 pounds - BARGAIN!

The Black Gardenia

As mentioned in an earlier post, The Push bar on Dean Street in Soho has been taken over by new management. It has now been re-opened and re-named The Black Gardenia.

The venue will now host the Bo Bo's Jumpin' Blues Joint club night every single Saturday, featuring resident DJ Jake Vegas (Lady Luck) and occasional live bands (on nights with no band, admission will apparently be free). Moreover the venue also promises great music every night of the week: blues, r'n'b, jazz etc.

The first night of the now weekly Bo Bo's Jumpin' Blues Joint is on this Saturday - 13th January 2007 - with a live set from Jake Vegas plus guest DJ Paul P'Vert.

Details as follows:

The Black Gardenia (formerly Push), 93 Dean Street, Soho, London W1.
8pm-1am. Band on 11pm. Free admission before 11pm, £5 after.

Push Bar to close

Another of Soho's basement dive bars is to bite the dust. News just in this week that Push - home of the Piccadilly Blues Club and Bo Bo's Jumpin' Blues Joint nights - is to close down. The last night that Push will open for business is Saturday 23rd December 2006.

Push is a small dive bar on Dean Street run by charismatic manager Joe. It has hosted many cool nights over the few years it has been open. Sweet But Deadly was launched there before moving to the Pleasure Unit and I even DJ'd there once myself.

Still, it's not necessarily all bad news for fans of good music, as there is a rumour that the place will be turned into a blues bar of some description. As soon as I have any further info I will let you know.

Right On!

A huge thanks to everyone who came down to Right On! last Saturday - it was a wonderful turnout and I was really pleased to see so many different people all enjoying the music and grooving on the dancefloor all night.

Respect also goes out to the great Gladdy Wax and Dean Rudland who were awesome and lived up to their reputations once again.

Also thanks to all my door staff, the venue staff and everyone else who helped out in any way (flyering etc.)

I've already got a few nice photos back from the night that I hope to get up online ASAP.

All that remains to say is... watch this space for details of the next one!

Jean-Paul DJing tomorrow (Fri 28 July)

Short notice I know, but I'm DJing alongside Ronnie King (Lady Luck) tomorrow night at The Fig Tree (downstairs), Charlotte Street, London W1. It runs from 8pm till 2am and costs just a fiver to get in. The music policy is 50s and 60s rhythm & blues, jazz, Latin, soul and a little ska. Hope to see you there!

Right On! relaunch

My Right On! club night is relaunching on Saturday 23rd September.

Since the last Right On! night in 2005 I have been searching for a new venue and I've finally found one - back in the West End where Right On! started. The venue is called Torts and it's just a couple of minutes from Holborn tube station. It has a late license and opens till 3.30am. To ensure a really good sound I am hiring the legendary Gladdy Wax sound system which plays at the Notting Hill carnival every year. Guest DJs are Gladdy Wax himself and Dean Rudland from legendary Latin record label - Fania. The night has also been chosen as the official launch party for new Fania CD "El Barrio: The Bad Boogaloo" which is due out in late September.

For full details on this exciting night visit www.right-on.org

For more information on Fania records visit www.faniarecords.com

Sweet But Deadly club

Sweet but Deadly is expanding…it will now be running twice a month, one date for bands and 60s beat/garage DJs, and more interestingly one date with just DJs playing pure modernist sounds - 60s soul, rhythm & blues, Motown, Stax, ska, dancefloor jazz, Latin and Hammond grooves.

This night runs from 9pm - 2am and the door charge is just £3. However there is strictly no admission after midnight so get there early!

Guest DJs this Friday (19th May) are Marcus Hjoberg and Liam Hughes.

Next month's date is Friday 23rd June and will feature guest DJ Michael Jemmeson as well as myself - Jean-Paul Séculaire.

July's date will be Friday 21st.

For more info visit http://www.myspace.com/SweetButDeadlyclub