Well, after last months absolutely fantastic avant-blues extravaganza we're going back to our roots and featuring Jules & The Gamblers who do a highly creditable job of classic harp led Chicago and West Coast blues. Jules is quite a harp player and he's got a voice to match. As a band they manage, where others so often fail, to capture the energy of the material and lift themselves above being just another worthy retro outfit.

It wouldn't be a Bluesinlondon Night though without a bit a challenge towards what blues can mean in the 21st century and Peter Leonard does just that. His playing draws recognisably on blues forms but works a deconstruction on them and his songwriting is refreshingly idiosyncratic and cliche free.

Come on down and say hello if you've not already done so. It's a great venue in an interesting part of town and these nights are really staring to take off. We're already gaining a reputation with musicians for being a really good gig with an appreciative audience. With your help we can continue to build on these early successes and get a top quality blues venue established in central London...

What else are you going to do on a Sunday night with £3!


JULES & THE GAMBLERS

Take a heavy dose of traditional electric 1950’s Chicago Blues, add a touch of West Coast swing, a generous scoop of Rock N’ Roll and there you have it: Jules & The Gamblers, a newly formed London-based blues band with influences ranging from Post War Blues kings like Little Walter, Muddy Waters, T- Bone Walker, and Sonny Boy Williamson II to the second Blues generation including such masters as Kim Wilson, Hollywood Fats band, William Clarke, Rod Piazza, Billy Branch…

Jules is an Irish/ French harp player who got hooked on the Blues at the age of 17 when he picked up his first harmonica.

"I just started playing around with it, like we all do. Then when I heard the likes of James Cotton and later Little Walter, it was a like slap in the face, and it left it’s mark. I first discovered the Blues harp through JJ Milteau, the French harmonica expert. I studied his style for a few years with that of Norton Buffalo and Don Baker. Getting into the authentic blues harpists, I turned to people like Billy Branch, Junior Wells, Carey Bell and then Little Walter, Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson. In later years I came across the contemporary West Coast stylists like Rod Piazza, Marc Hummel, Kim Wilson…

"We play this style of Blues simply for the love of it. It represents best what authentic Urban Blues sounded like. I think the Chicago Blues style is underrated for it's power to unexpectedly grab your audience by the heart. We work hard at trying to deliver good quality yet personal versions always with a focus on that authentic feel. It’s the feel that counts. We're not claiming we have the merit of doing anything ‘fresh’, but we want to pass on what we feel for this genre to the people who see us at the gig."

www.myspace.com/julesandthegamblers

PETER LEONARD

Pete was raised on a badger farm in South Wiltshire, land of the flying saucers. Blending a range of styles of guitar, vocals and harp he creates an old 1930's blues sound while keeping the overall feel of his music on a modern day tip. After playing in many venues and fields around the country pete has obtained many fans and lovers. Its what you might say one might listen to if the grass turns blue. Real as it is beautiful.

www.myspace.com/peterleonardfolk




Part of the vibrant bar and restaurant scene around Clerkenwell's Exmouth Market and easily accessible by tube (a 10 minute walk from either Angel or Farringdon stations), bus (19 or 38) or with easy parking, Leonard's EC1 is fast gaining a reputation as a top quality live music venue. Bluesinlondon joins a roster of regular nights that includes the eclectic Club Fabulous, various acoustic evenings and record label showcases.

For once, it's a music venue that doesn't bring to mind the word 'toilet' either - it's decently done out and if you're not in the mood for moshing down the front you'll be able to sit round the back and sample their full menu or, if the fancy takes you, even try one of their specialty cocktails.

http://www.leonards-ec1.co.uk