An evening with legendary US blues harmonica player, Johnny Mars

Johnny Mars Johnny grew up in the Southern States, receiving his first harmonica at the age of 9. He remembers listening to jazz on the radio, and sitting in juke joints where he would hear the music of Muddy Waters, B B King, Little Walter etc. Aged 14, at the death of his mother, Johnny moved to New York State, completing his education and singing and playing harmonica in his first blues band in 1957, the Train Riders.

After playing at Woodstock, he formed 'The John Mars Band' and travelled to California in time for the summer of love! They played on the same shows as, for example Alice Cooper and Santana etc. and later toured with 'Magic Sam'.

In May 1972 Johnny came to England with his wife. He also made his first European album, 'Blues From Mars'.

In 1991 Johnny also played as featured soloist on an album for the popular group Banarama. Their singles "The Preacher Man, Megalomaniac, and Long Train Running" rose on the charts and Johnny subsequently made TV appearances across Europe and performed in their videos.

Johnny continued to perform in major blues festivals and concerts in the UK and across Europe, as well as in the States, developing his career as a harmonica player and experimenting with electrics and pedals etc.

As a sideline, for the last 15 years Johnny has taught in primary schools in England, enthusing the young generation with the harmonica. This is what inspired the CD "Dare to Dream, Aim to Achieve", produced with schools in Portsmouth in 1999.

One of his latest projects has been working with young teenage musicians, encouraging their love of blues, and forming ' Johnny Mars and Stars'.

Craig Milverton is sought after as a skilled accompanist to such star vocalists as Stacey Kent and Tina May. His trios are regularly required to back visiting American soloists at festivals and venues across the country including Scott Hamilton, Ken Peplowski and Warren Vache. Few British pianists have Craig’s thorough knowledge and grasp of jazz styles.

Ashley John Long is an award-winning virtuoso double bassist and composer across a wide range of genres. He is an active performer in jazz and free improvisation, regularly playing and recording with some of the leading figures in both fields. He has toured internationally with a wide range of artists and is much in demand as a session musician.

Nick Millward is one of UK’s leading jazz drummers. He is well known for being the drummer who powered the rhythm section of Kenny Ball’s Jazzmen from 1999.

Ben Milverton on guitar is an experienced gigging musician appearing many times at Clubs and Jazz Festivals including Teignmouth, Pershore, Bude and Beaminster. His astonishing technique and ability has been praised by such great guitarists as Nigel Price and Dominic Ashworth.

Performance starts at 7:30pm, doors from 6:30pm with bar available.

Tickets:

• Early Bird Tickets will be available for a limited time! This discount will apply to all standard tickets purchased not less than 8 weeks before the event

Early bird: £18

General admission: £20

Students: £5 with valid student ID

Children 12 and under: Free, accompanied by a paying adult (max 3 children per adult)

Tickets can also be purchased by ringing 01460 54973 or visiting us during opening hours.

*Please note that tickets for performances and workshops are not refundable unless we are fully booked and have a waiting list. Refunds are subject to a £5 admin charge.