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WOTTON BLUES FESTIVAL 2017

Patsy Gamble is in much demand as a top session saxophonist, vocalist and composer, working and recording with artists such as Mick Jagger, Mick Taylor, Steve Winwood, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Keith Thompson and Eddie Martin. She was also a British Blues Award finalist in 2011 and 2012.
Patsy brings together a flexible line-up of brilliant musicians to form her Blues Collective featuring Muddy Manninen (Wishbone Ash) on guitar, Mark Perry on keyboards, Mark Butler on bass and Simon Riley on drums.
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South Cotswolds Jazz Club (SCJC)

SCJC are pleased to announce four 2017 Jazz Jam Sessions led by JJ Shaw & Peter Neale, both have experience of organising the Cleeve/Claverham Jam sessions. Local players John Cook on double bass, Jon Godfrey on drums and Chris Clark on keyboards will provide the house band. All levels will be catered for and details on how we intend to run it to follow.
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Gavin Thorpe grew up in Wotton-Under-Edge before moving to Bristol to pursue his dream of becoming a professional singer/songwriter. He was spotted in 2001 by a talent scout and went on to sign a seven album deal with Atlantic Records. His folky, britpop-esque style has led to his music appearing on a major motion picture and countless TV programmes worldwide.
We are thrilled to welcome him “home” for this very special performance.

Supported by one of Wotton's finest songstresses Lauren Walker
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Four ten minute talks by invited speakers with five minutes between. Spend a relaxing hour at the end of the week enjoying a drink while listening to fascinating speakers on subjects that include everything except politics, religion or sales pitches. Oh!, and you won’t know what the subjects are till you get there!

£5 All proceeds going to UTEA
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Nearly five years ago, Andy Guy and Mark Tolfree got together in Mark’s tool shed in Wotton-Under-Edge to drink cider and play some blues with acoustic guitar and harmonica. Later that year, Macaroni Penguins guitarist Mike Powell, who was Mark’s neighbour, joined the sessions, and the Bad Dad’s were formed. The Band started gigging as a trio with Mark on vocals and blues harmonica, Mike on guitar and Andy on bass, vocals and looped percussion. In 2015, drummer and acclaimed Bluegrass musician Jason Titley joined the band, and the The Bad Dads became a quartet.

Over the years, the band have developed a sound which has it’s roots in the old Chicago and Delta blues mixed with Americana, but which also incorporates some of the many wide ranging musical and cultural influences of the band members whose life experiences and travels have been just as varied. The band have drawn extensively from their long combined life experience to write a catalogue of original songs on day to day subjects like work, music, travel and health, as well as more serious topics. “We like to keep the music within an accessible blues genre, but the lyrics are unconstrained and very personal to us.” Says Andy. “Playing in pubs and bars we find people enjoy the upbeat music, but don’t always get to hear the meanings within the songs. We hope that a gig in a more intimate setting like UTEA will give us a chance to share our lyrics and stories with the audience”.

The Bad Dads are:

Mark Tolfree, a local landscape gardener and a dad of four. Mark grew up in Bristol where he played in various bands. He brings his Southern Rock and Chicago Blues influences to his vocal and harmonica playing.

Mike Powell, a dad who works locally as an accountant. Already established and as a guitarist locally Mike plays acoustic and slide resonator guitar where he incorporates his rock and delta blues influences.

Andy Guy, dad of two, works locally as an electronics engineer. Also a guitarist, he switched to upright bass when Mike joined the band and hasn’t looked back since. Andy likes to incorporate Country and Americana influences to The Bad Dads blues mix. He’s also a massive Elvis fan.

Jason Titley, a dad like the others, is an excellent Bluegrass guitarist and member of The Daily Planet and Jason Titley Collective. He even has his own radio show. He plays drums with The Bad Dads and brings a wealth of musical experience to the band.
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