Sam Kelly and Ali Maas set to captivate in Coolham

The Sam Kelly Band features the five-times winner of ‘Best Drummer in the UK’, Sam Kelly, together with the amazing Papa George and Spy Austin.

The superb Ali Maas Band will open the evening.

Sam Kelly’s Band has been featuring on the UK live music circuit for years. The Band is lead from the drumseat by Sam Kelly, who is included in Blues in Britain magazine’s ‘Gallery of Greats’.

Sam Kelly’s playing career started in the early 1970s with Cymande, an eight-piece ‘Nyah Rock’ band, working and recording successfully in the USA between 1971 and 1974.

His self-taught style of drumming has placed Sam in the drumseat with Cymande, Dr. John, Chaka Khan, Eddie Floyd, Robert Plant, Roger Chapman, Michelle Shocked, Mick Ralphs and the late, great Gary Moore. Sam played drums on Gary’s last R&B album, Bad For You Baby.

Recently, Sam has worked with Imelda May, Paul Jones, Robben Ford, Andy Fairweather Low, Chris Barber and Mike Sanchez.

Spy Austin (bass/vocals – The Investigators and Desmond Dekker) is one of the best professional bass players on the London music circuit who delivers an infectious blended feel.

These two musicians are joined by internationally acclaimed London bluesman Papa George. Since the mid ’70s Papa George has forged a reputation for stunning performances on the blues circuits and festivals. He is highly regarded here, in the USA and in Europe. Described by The Times as “a mean axeman”, he captivates audiences, playing Fender Stratocaster or bottleneck blues-style on Amistar and National Steel Guitars.

Papa George has been inducted as a Master Blues Artist in the USA’s Blues Hall of Fame.

The Ali Maas band “proffer a cool fusion of funky Hammond grooves, Southern Soul and rockin’ Chicago Blues”, according to Time Out Magazine.

However, you can be the judge of that if you get to see her perform with her band of ‘Allstars’.

Ali started out singing at 15 with homegrown rock bands in Horsham, so for her the Coolham show is a homecoming gig.

Ali will be joined by Alan Glen (Yardbirds and Nine Below Zero) on harp and guitar, Rob Millis on Hammond, Glynn Evans on bass and Peter Miles on drums.

Tickets for the evening cost £20, which includes a fish and chip supper, or £15 without.

Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 7.30pm.

For tickets contact Graeme Tame on 07889 775173 and for further information visit www.tamepromotions.co.uk.