International Stars Line Up For Inaugural

BluesFest London

27th June – 3rd July 2011

“With an exceptional line up of world renowned performers, BluesFest will add another dimension to the capital's lively schedule of summer festivals.”

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson

The very first BluesFest London comes to town this summer for a week-long celebration of incredible music from some of the greatest names in the business.

The Festival’s unique scope covers a huge range of music from the broad Blues, Soul and Jazz spectrum – with such a wealth of musical acts and iconic London venues on offer, the festival presents something for music lovers from all walks of life.

Legends such as BB King, Dr John, Booker T, and The Blind Boys Of Alabama will be gracing stages all over London. International names from all around the globe including Buddy Greco, Max Weinburg, Scott Hamilton, Harry Allen, Trombone Shorty and Monty Alexander will rub shoulders with home-grown talent, among them Georgie Fame, Chris Barber, Jon Cleary, James Hunter, Claire Martin, Tommy Smith, Martin Taylor, Incognito, Sandi Thom, The Unfortunate Sons and Annie Ross.

From concert halls to intimate club surroundings, BluesFest London 2011 will take advantage of some of the capital’s best loved venues; from the grandeur of the Royal Albert Hall, to Oxford Street’s iconic 100 Club; North London’s Jazz Café and The Union Chapel, West London’s Bush Hall and Under The Bridge, and Soho’s Pizza Express Jazz Club - with further venues to be announced - BluesFest London 2011 covers the length and breadth of the entire city.

This is the first time in decades that the UK has hosted a festival dedicated to the worlds of Blues, Soul & Jazz - BluesFest London 2011 also marks the fiftieth anniversary of the very first such festival in Britain, the National Jazz And Blues Festival. Originally set up by Harold Pendleton of Soho’s famous Marquee Club, it was the original forerunner of the Reading Festival and paved the way for many of the country’s most celebrated live music events. In recognition of this historic milestone, UK jazz legend Chris Barber, who performed at the original National Jazz And Blues Festival half a century ago, will be appearing at this summer’s event at the legendary 100 Club.

The assembled roster of superstar acts gathered from around the world will give both Londoners and visitors to the capital the opportunity to hear a line-up of top-class artists who haven’t been seen on the same festival billing for decades. Over seven days, BluesFest London 2011 will showcase what a cultural giant the city of London really is.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'It is thrilling to be able to welcome a new music festival to London. The Blues may have originated in the US, but they have provided the beating heart of British pop music, from Georgie Fame and the Rolling Stones to Adele. With an exceptional line up of world renowned performers BluesFest will add another dimension to the capital's lively schedule of summer festivals.'

"I am so happy to be invited to London for BluesFest. Since I was a young boy in Memphis to this day, blues and jazz run thru my veins." Booker T

“I’m thrilled to be playing at the very first BluesFest London – it’s about time London had something like this! See you on June 27^th.” Georgie Fame

To view the full programme and for details of how to purchase tickets, please visit:

WWW.BLUESFESTLONDON.COM

For more information, please contact AirMTM, 020 7386 1600

Joe Baxter joe@airmtm.com