Live Music with The Bottleneck Blues Trio – Friday 21st July from 7.45pm (Doors from 6.30pm)

Live Music with The Bottleneck Blues Trio - Friday 21st July from 7.45pm (Doors from 6.30pm)

Martin McNeill is an acclaimed slide guitarist who plays traditional blues with touches of soul, gospel and jazz.

He gigs at clubs and pubs, as a solo act and bandleader, and his festival appearances include Rye Jazz & Blues, Dart Festival, Broadstairs Blues Bash and the Swanage Blues Festival. He has a regular spot at the Ain't Nothin' But Blues Bar in Soho. Martin has been a finalist in the the UK Blues Awards and was named best instrumentalist in the 2022 GSMC Music Awards.

He is joined by harmonica player West Weston, who is in demand internationally for live gigs and recordings. He has recorded and toured with Roger Daltrey and Wilko Johnson, plays with Muddy Waters' son Mud Morganfield and the Scandinavian band Trickbag, and leads his own band the Bluesonics.

JJ Zarbo completes the trio on double bass. As well as playing blues with jazz and blues groups, JJ is a singer/songwriter who can turn his hand to guitar and keyboards. Maybe he'll bring out one of his compositions on this gig...

These three guys have been playing together for many years, including countless sessions at what was Essex's leading live music venue, the Railway Hotel in Southend.

What they say about Martin McNeill:

“Love a slide guitar? This is one of the best exponents around” - Dart Festival programme

“One of the country’s finest bottleneck blues guitarists” – Stephen Foster (BBC Suffolk/Radio Caroline presenter)

“Stunning guitarist” – Ashwyn Smyth (Digital Blues presenter)

“Renowned blues elder statesman” – Blues in Britain magazine

“Live excellence…Martin is so good. You’ll just look at your guitar after seeing him” – US bluesman Lightnin’ Willie

Doors open from 6.30pm. Reservations will be held until 8.30pm and then released to walk ins. Please refer to terms and conditions for full details.