JOHN ETHERIDGE & JO HARROP BLUES EXPLOSION

John Etheridge's 'Blue Spirits Trio', features Pete Whittaker (organ) and George Double (drums) celebrating John’s love of combining electric guitar and organ. It showcases the bluesier intense side of John’s playing. But there are plenty of swing elements augmented by soulful ballads and fiery funk outings. The aim is to groove and move!

And before John takes to the stage and opening the show we're delighted to feature Jo Harrop and her band, who'll just be completing a national tour of her new album, The Heart Wants. ‘A voice that would give a goosebump goosebumps’ - The Mirror; ‘Remarkable’ - Jazzwise; “An extraordinary talent” - Jo Whiley; and “A very fine jazz singer” - Iggy Pop.

More about John

John Etheridge enjoys a glowing reputation throughout the jazz world and beyond and has been described by Pat Metheny simply as, "One of the best guitarists". He is a prodigiously gifted and creative player whose approach to music can only be described as 'eclectic' as he refuses to accommodate or even acknowledge artificial musical boundaries. 

His range is well illustrated by his years of touring and recording with the iconic Stephane Grappelli, as well as with the legendary jazz-fusion group, The Soft Machine. John is equally at home on acoustic and electric guitar and his willingness to engage with so many styles is matched by his ability to excel in any of them. He has played with John Williams, Yehudi Menuhin, Dizzie Gillespie, Herb Ellis, Mundell Lowe, Nigel Kennedy, Pat Metheny, Birelli Lagrene, Barney Kessel, Vic Juris and countless others.

More about Jo

Jo Harrop was raised on a heady musical diet of Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin, and cut her teeth as a session singer, working with a host of iconic artists including Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart and Gloria Gaynor.

After moving to London, she quickly established herself as one of the most unmistakable voices in British jazz. Having signed to London-based jazz label, Lateralize Records, she recently received a raft of rapturous reviews for Weathering The Storm, her debut with guitarist, Jamie McCredie. The Guardian dubbed it ‘a little gem of an album: simple, modest and perfect'.  Beyond the mellifluous perfection of her chocolate and cream voice, there is always a beautifully bruised intimacy at the very heart of Jo Harrop’s music. It’s almost as if she’s staring directly into your soul when she sings.