Limavady Jazz and Blues Festival

Star List


Ahead and Beyond Duo featuring John Leighton and Gary Cunningham
This duo brings together two fine instrumentalists, who are both very active in the NI intrumental music scene. John Leighton on piano, is a recent graduate in Jazz studies from Leeds College of Music. Gary Cunningham on guitar who recently graduated from University of Ulster, brings his impressive touch and sympathetic feel to the duo. Their repertoire ranges from Jazz standards to Blues and some original material. A must see act!

Alan Niblock's JAZZTET featuring Bronagh Mullen on Vocals.
JAZZTET is an ensemble consisting of Joel Byrne Mc Cullough guitar, Richard MaWhinney sax, Sean Randle drums and Niblock at the helm on bass. They play a broad range of standards, from Wes montgomery, Pat Metheny to Bill Evans, Isham Jones and many more. The quartet will be joined by Bronagh Mullan on Vocals.

Black River Blues
Are a five piece, jazz influenced, blues band from the North East of England who are gaining a reputation for hard work and excellence on stage. Fronted by Marilyn Hunter their repertoire ranges from Muddy Waters to Amy Winehouse and beyond. Their show is a must see.

Cara Robinson
Cara Robinson has written and recorded with David Holmes, LTJ Bukem, and EMI artist Corinne Bailey Rae. Now back in her native Ireland, expect exciting new material and old favourites from “Keep’er Lit”, her debut album (described by NME’s Andy Buchan as” “a boundary-blurring amalgam of blues, folk and alt-country”)

D. J. Q. (Derry Jazz Quartet)
Veterans of the local scene; the guys have just played six gigs at the Derry Jazz Festival. They play main stream, standards, with a helping af dixieland in a lighthearted way & also with a bit of humour (hear jim's laughing saxophone & Jackie's sound effects on "Bye Bye Blackbird") See you all at F. O's. yard on Friday from 8.00 till 10.30 pm

Dirty Words
We are a four piece from Limavady. Funk/blues/rock. We are up and coming. We have won the camms singersongwriting competition in Sandino's Derry last November. We have played all over Limavady and Derry and have gathered a large fanbase.

Frank and Percy Robinson
Two guitarists whose contrasting styles combine to enhance their music, Blues, Rockabilly, Country and Jazz.

Graffiti Limbo
Local favourites and festival anchor band Graffiti Limbo return with their eclectic blend of R&B, roots, rock and soul. The band have played festivals and discerning venues countrywide, and take material from diverse influences such as Little Feat, Taj Mahal and Tom waits, creating a funky mix that never fails to deliver.

GRAINNE DUFFY
What a start to the year it has been for this very talented young artist. After releasing her debut album, 'Out of the Dark', in November Grainne has been receiving some of the best praise an artist could ever ask. In England the buzz has certainly started with Classic Rock commenting 'In a world of chick rockers, Duffy is the real deal. Label bosses get your cheque books out sharpish'. While Guitarist devoted a whole front page to the artist saying her debut album boosts 'bluesy Americana from Ireland with genuine worldwide potential', adding what they love most about her is that she has a 'husky voice and plays a mean blues guitar'. Guitar Techniques continued this well deserved praise commenting 'she plays with both style and feel' and is a 'thoughtful and melodic guitarist', 'her playing is bursting with personality'. Aside her guitar playing it seems Grainne's voice and songwriting have been drawing in fans far and wide. Recently Grainne was approached by the BBC to offer her original take on the Oletta Adams cover 'Get Here if you Can' which is currently featured in their advertisment on BBC1 and BBC2 promoting programming on Monday nights on BBC. The track was recorded in none other than The Beatles producer George Martin's renowned Air Studios in London, featuring the talents of former Eric Clapton drummer Ian Thomas, ex Van Morrison and Madonna bassist Steve Pearce, James Hollowell, currently working with David Gray, on Hammond and Piano and Richard Ashcroft's sideman Adam Philips on guitar. Following on from such Grainne has recently been invited to appaer at Glastonbury 2008 with her band on the acoustic stage. This year will see her performing as opening act at the Warrenpoint Blues Festival to Robben Ford, The Yardbirds and Dino Baptiste. So be warned, do not miss this hugely talented up coming artist and her band promoting her debut album as it may be your last time to catch her in such a wonderful intimate setting.

Ian Date-Jazz Guitarist.
Ian was born in Northern New South Wales Australia. He has been playing the guitar professionally from a very young age. He is influenced and inspired by all the classic jazz guitarists such Reinhardt, Kessel, Montgomery. Ian has been living in County Cork since 2002. Critics have described his playing as "endlessly inventive, original, swinging, lyrical and exciting." Ian also plays trumpet and sings. He will be performing with Limavady guitarist Greg Payne

King Bz
A welcome return to the guys from Yorkshire, recently returned from a tour of Italy, they set the festival alight last time they were here with their brand of audience participation rock and blues. With influences from the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan and George Thorogood this is a grown ups show.

Lee Hedley Band
"The Lee Hedley Band are a fun, well travelled, well cured outfit with plenty of crunch and bite and a relentless rhythm attack, fat harp tones, classic rock covers given a hard facial and delivered with an upbeat and spirited enthusiasm.What makes Lee so enjoyable is his dedication, his celebration and approach, blending good audience rapport and primary kick ass classic blues rock entertainment!!!" Mick Kenny(Dublin)

Loose Ends
Guitarists Steven Iveson and Marius McGinnis picked up the guitar from a young age playing mainstream rock, blues and classical music in a variety of settings. Steven and Marius rehearse together regularly exploring a wide range of jazz and classical music arranged for two guitars. Several years have established a strong identity with a wide repertoire that extends from Mozart to Miles Davis, from Wes Montgomery to Tom Jobim. to Pat Metheny. Both Andy and Charles continue to arrange In recent years experience gained at venues, including local jazz clubs, bars, restaurants as well as corporate events, weddings and cocktails has broadened the repertoire even further. A selection of classic and new standards will be uniquely interpreted. Look out for their debut CD due for release in late 2008.

Ronnie Greer & Anthony Toner
Ronnie Greer is one of Ireland's foremost blues and jazz singer/guitarists, and has played with some of the world's leading blues and jazz artists over the years. His Chicago blues style and swinging phrasing is complemented by Anthony Toner, an acclaimed slide and fingerstyle guitarist with a West Coast-influenced style. Together they play a tasty range of material that takes in electric and acoustic blues, jazz and roots music - everything from Louis Armstrong to Steely Dan.

Roy Mitchell
A regular visitor to the festival, and leading protagonist in the northwest’s contemporary jazz scene, Roy Mitchell will be performing material from his current solo recording project. As yet untitled, the pieces will feature Roy on tenor sax and electric piano, in conjunction with a loop sampler. When pushed to describe his new music, he tentatively suggests, … “Heavily improvised art chill-out”! To find out if he’s correct, you’ll have to check out his appearances at the festival.

Sam Payne
Singer, songwriter, boogie jazz and blues piano player Sam is based in Leeds England and has played Ronnie Scotts, the Band on the Wall and recorded for the Paul Jones BBC Radio 2 programme. Her show is an eclectic mix of light and dark with some controversial lyrics and songs that will touch your soul.

The Baldy Men
An acoustic duo who serve up a mix of roots based music ranging from old-time, through delta blues and country, to contemporary folk and soul with their own distinctive and irreverent style.

The Blue Hyenas
All the way from the Scottish capital this Edinburgh blues band have a reputation that is second to none. Led by guitarist Sandy Tweedale,who has played with, or supported, Buddy Guy, Peter Green and Bert Jansch and who also toured, twice, with Louisiana harp player Lazy Lester. Take a look and see just how good these guys are.

The Limavady Big Band Sound
With a fantastic repertoire of sophisticated jazz standards and swing favourites, The Limavady Big Band Sound brings you an unforgettable swing experience. Their programme includes music from the days of the big bands of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Erroll Garner, Duke Ellington right up to big band arrangements of the Beatles and Van Morrison numbers. The band draws its personnel from Limavady and the wider North Coast area and includes a wide range of age groups. Hear the music of the Limavady Big Band Sound, you will be entertained.

The Rick Swann Band
is a group of both, well-established and up and coming musicians. Incorporating a rich blend of many genres such as Jazz, Blues, Funk and Latin. Rick began playing live jazz at the age of 13 with the Ulster Youth Jazz Orchestra and numerous other groups. In recent years Rick has played many events such as the International Cork Jazz Festival and also venues such as the Odyssey arena, Belfast and the Royal Albert Hall, London, Rick has gained a great deal of experience and flair that is evident in his playing. Having taken a short time away from the Scene to concentrate on studies, Rick is back with both a great line-up of tunes and musicians.

Triona Sweeney & John Leighton
Triona Sweeney has just graduated with a BMus Hons degree from University of Ulster, Magee, Derry and lives in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. She performs with the University of Ulster Jazz Big Band who recently opened this year’s City of Derry Jazz Festival. Triona has studied under some of today’s great jazz vocalists such as Norma Winstone, Jacqui Dankworth, Liane Carroll, Tina May as well as some of Europe’s most prestigious jazz instrumentalists and educators - Niki Iles, Pete Churchill, Guillermo Rozenthuler, Arnie Somogyi, Gilad Atzmon and Stephen Keogh. John Leighton studied jazz piano at Leeds College of Music under Les Chisnel. John played with several bands during the recent City of Derry Jazz Festival including the Derry Improvised Music Ensemble (DIME). Playing Rhodes, piano and electronics John is a keen innovator and improviser with an interest in both modal jazz and jazz fusion. Hailing from Eglinton, Co. Derry this promising young jazz musician is set to become a regular on the Irish jazz scene.