Ealing Club gigs – British Blues where it all started: 2014 marks many significant anniversaries for British music. It’s 50 years since the beginning of the so-called “British Beat Invasion of the US” that was led by the Beatles first performance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.

In the same year, “British Rhythm and Blues” lost a pioneer in Cyril Davies who together with Alexis Korner (1984) and Graham Bond (1974) helped push “the Blues” into the heart of British Music influencing musicians whose careers continue to inspire millions across the world to this day.

It is well documented that Ealing is where British groups playing the blues with electric guitar first found a home. Well worth celebrating!

Thurs 13^th February 2014 (8.30 – 11.30)“Ealing the Blues Today” : A show featuring the ‘cream’ of Ealing’s current Blues scene with musicians from: Devil Drives, Jump 66, The Chairs, Geoff Garbow Blues Band, David Stone and more…….

An evening hosted by Robert Hokum “Artistic Director” of the annual Ealing Blues Festival that became a two-day event for the first time in 2013. The gig will feature local musicians who are continuing Ealing’s Blues/Rock musical heritage. Several of the musicians performing are still in their 20s, young players proud to be part of Ealing’s Blues/Rock Heritage.

Fri 14^th February 2014 (8.30 – 10.30) “The Cyril Davies 50^th Anniversary Tribute: Alan Glen & John O’Leary All Star Blues Revue” Top players from the current British Blues scene, the cv’s of these musicians reads like a ‘who’s who’ of Brit Blues. Here performing a night of music dedicated to the great harmonica player Cyril Davies thanks to his contribution on kickstarting the “British Rhythm and Blues Boom of the early 1960’s”

Sat 15^th February 2014 (8.30 – 10.30) The Ali Mac Band (plus support) Vocalist Ali McKenzie achieved prominence on the Ealing Club scene with ‘The Birds’ which was the first band of guitarist Ronnie Wood who was later to find fame with the Faces and The Stones. Ali was a contemporary of another Ealing band – The Who. Ali who has featured regularly in recent Ealing Club special events brings his full band featuring Simon Bishop (guitar and Vocals) a staggeringly versatile musician who has inspired and taught some of the other guitarists appearing this week!, Richard Hudson (drums) is well-known as the percussionist with The Strawbs and on bass is Bill Phillips.