John Mayall Announces UK Tour With Oli Brown & Tickets
Wednesday, 04 May 2011
Written by Jon Stickler
John Mayall, the undisputed Godfather of the British Blues, returns to his homeland this Autumn for a major 25 date UK tour.
Now in his 77th year and with over 60 albums to his credit, John still plays great music and his reputation as a legendary live artist remains undimmed. For his 2011 British outing he is joined by rising blues star Oli Brown as Special Guest.
Long known for his ability to pick great guitar players for his indomitable Bluesbreakers, John has done more to spread the story of the blues in this country than any other musician.
From the hallowed ranks of the Bluesbreakers came Cream and Fleetwood Mac. Luminaries such as Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Mick Taylor, Aynsley Dunbar, Coco Montoya, Walter Trout and Buddy Whittington – to name but a few – have all passed through his bands.
From his move to London and the genesis of the band in 1963 through to the current day, John has been hailed as a master bluesman. He has played with some of the greatest legends of the 20th century including Sonny Boy Williamson, T Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, Freddy King, Albert King, Brownie McGhee, Sonny Terry, Otis Rush and Buddy Guy and retains an energy and a passion for the music that touches all who hear it.
Since the disbanding of the Bluesbreakers three years ago, John has been forging new paths with a dynamic new band consisting of Texan guitarist Rocky Athas along with Chicagoans Greg Rzab on bass guitar and Jay Davenport on drums. They are the driving force behind Mayall’s terrific new album ‘Tough’ and the latest DVD ‘Live in London’ recorded last November. His latest show features songs selected from his 50 year career to the present day and his classic song ‘Room to Move’ still gives everyone a chance to showcase their talents.
John was one of the first to write about contemporary subject matter in a blues format and has continued to feature the finest musicians in his many line-ups over the years. In doing so, he gave them opportunities to experiment and develop their individual styles.
Commenting on the tour John said “I always look forward to coming back to Britain and this year will be a special treat for me to showcase my guys.
Hot young guitarist Oli Brown will be John’s special guest to open the shows. Mayall says of him “He has already come a long way in a short time, and this UK tour should give him the extra exposure he deserves.”
Oli is something of a phenomenon. At 15 he was opening for Buddy Guy and Taj Mahal and four years later he was the only UK act to be selected to play the 2008 International Blues Convention in Memphis. His debut album ‘Open Road’ was released that year staying on the Blues charts for the next two years. 2010 saw 21 year old Oli back in the studio with the legendary Mike Vernon and the resultant album ‘Heads I Win Tails You Lose’ has received rave reviews. Oli has been nominated for four 2011 Blues Awards and also plays Glastonbury this year.
With the dynamic combination of Mayall and Brown – almost the Grandfather and Grandson of the genre - this is one tour that will showcase the blues as it’s meant to be played. Consummate musicianship combined with energy, passion and love for the music.
As Mayall himself says – “Creative enjoyment is first and foremost... and it’s been a great ride so far!”
Tuesday 25-Oct - Canterbury Marlowe Theatre
Wednesday 26-Oct - Llandudno Venue Cymru
Thursday 27-Oct - Cardiff St David's Hall
Friday 28-Oct - Birmingham Town Hall
Saturday 29-Oct - London Cadogan Hall
Sunday 30-Oct - Poole Lighthouse
Monday 31-Oct - Plymouth Pavilions
Tuesday 01-Nov - Bristol Colston Hall
Wednesday 02-Nov - Guildford G Live (Civic Theatre)
Thursday 03-Nov - Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Friday 04-Nov - Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Saturday 05-Nov - Basingstoke The Anvil Arts Centre
Sunday 06-Nov - Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Monday 07-Nov - Gateshead The Sage
Tuesday 08-Nov - Leicester De Montfort Hall
Wednesday 09-Nov - Southend Cliffs Pavilion
Thursday 10-Nov - High Wycombe Swan Theatre
Friday 11-Nov - Coventry Warwick Arts Centre
Saturday 12-Nov - Dunfermline Alhambra Theatre
Sunday 13-Nov - Aberdeen Music Hall
Monday 14-Nov - Perth Concert Hall
Tuesday 15-Nov - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Wednesday 16-Nov - York Barbican
Thursday 17-Nov - Buxton Opera House
Friday 18-Nov - Watford The Coliseum
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