From up Kapiti way comes HENPICKED. They’ve played at the Bristol before and now they return with quite a few more up tempo tunes. There is a kiwi flavour to Henpicked (one guy and three girls) with great vocal harmonies. Their music is gentle, humourous, and sophisticated.   Multi-talented, they surprise and delight – they also ‘dress up’ the stage.   Guitar, keyboards, bass and drums. You can hear songs from their Debut CD Astroturf  at www.henpicked.org.

Here’s a review the new album got last week off ‘Stuff’.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/kapiti-observer/entertainment/6656195/Band-wins-Tamworth-approval

Wayne Mason is one of New Zealand’s finest and most respected songwriters. “His songs explore the unloved, the unrequited romance, the tensions and the journey along the way….it’s not all about happy endings”, but you sure can dance to it! ”

Slashing through the undergrowth, laughing ourselves to sanity, diving head first into the future” are

• Wayne Mason– guitar, vocals, keyboards;
• Clinton Brown– bass;
• Richard Te One– drums;
• Greg Turner– guitar

For quite some time now, young Jake Stokes (17) has been coming to the Blues Club’s jam sessions and laying down some great guitar riffs. Now he’s got his own band and is playing a gig at the Bristol this month!

Jake and his blues-rock band play classics from Lightnin Hopkins to Gary Moore in a set scattered with edgy originals to get you up and out of your seat. Accompanied by some of the best musicians in the age group from all over Wellington.

Jake Stokes – lead guitar and vocals; Jack Mells– drums and vocals; Felix Bornholdt– keys; Max Apse– bass guitar and vocals

 

Tonight we have vintage Chicago and West Coast electric blues
with a touch of jazz and R&B, delivered by veterans of the
Wellington music scene. Not for the faint-hearted.

Neil Billington– harp and vocals; Dougal Speir– guitar; Bob Smith–keyboards; Ross McDermot–  bass;  Richard Te One– drums; with
special guest Andrew London on guitar and vocals

Fronted by vocal powerhouse Emma Davey, the Monks
are drawn together by the natural tendency of cool to seek its own kind, known as the “gravity of cool”. They are really excited to bring you their eclectic mix of trad blues/ blues rock/ originals and Motown/soul. This is sure to get your foot tapping, head nodding, hips swaying and heart strings vibrating – or maybe just drinking, which is lucky cos you’re at The Hotel Bristol!

Emma Davey, Fiona Buchet, and Debra Sisson– vocals;

Mark Wallis– drums; Martin Robertson– bass;

Lawrence Arps– guitar; Chris Balm– keyboards http://www.wix.com/emmadaveynz/emmadaveythemonksofcool

 

This should be a great night of jazzy blues !!!  How could you beat it? Nick Granville and Mike Petrie – two SUPERB guitar players; add in the famous/ infamous Brannagin Kaa on vocals, and the heavy weight Roomfulla Blues engine room of Richard and Elliotte (back from a hot tour of Australia with Darren Watson). whaaaa

Nick Granville- guitar

Mike Petrie- guitar and vox

Brannagin Kaa- vox  

Richard TeOne- drums

Elliotte Fuimoana– bass 

Playing a mix of jazzy blues and straight on down the road blues
classics with a couple of originals in the mix for good measure are:
Phil McLaughlin – guitar/vox;
Del Thomas – guitar/vox;
Sean Dolan – bass;
James Shanks – drums

Playing a mix of old and new originals in their inimitable style – a mix of swingin’ rhythm n blues, latin feels, Americana and Hawaian sounds – in short; the music of Wellington Heads!!

Neil Worboys – guitar, harmonica, banjo, vocals; Bill Wood – guitars, vocals; Geoff Keith – Upright bass, vocals; Callum Goldie – drums, percussion; James Tait-Jamieson – saxes; Nick van Dijk – trumpet, trombone

 

Influenced by great artists like Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Katie Webster the Lady of Rhythm & Blues ‘Mama Blue’ Mahia Blackmore is no stranger to the local music industry. She has a “voice that will pin you to the wall – big, bold, sassy, warm & soulful”. Mahia Blackmore and Arnold Tihema– vocals; Alf Kereama-guitar; Jamie Taite Jamieson-piano /sax; Mac McKinnon– bass, Shane Blackmore– drums

 

On a summer’s night with The Bristol doors open and the music drifting down Cuba Mall, listening to Dougal Speir’s Crying Shame Band is a great way to spend an evening.  ‘Doog’ is a regular at the blues club. His blues playing is gutsy and rhythmic; his voice is soft and soulful.

Playing original songs and great blues covers, he’s got a talent for
pulling together top musicians. Dougal Speir– guitar and vocals; Dave Murphy– guitar and vocals, Roger Watkins– drums, George Barris– bass, Bob Smith-keyboards/ organ