FRIDAY 3 AUGUST at the Gloucester Guildhall

Tim Porter presents:

American Blues Harmonica Masters with The Michael Roach Band

American harmonica players Johnny Mars, Russ Green, and Dennis Gruenling with The Michael Roach Band.

Ticket price £12.50 Time 8pm Click here to buy your tickets

Featuring:

JOHNNY MARS harmonica

Born in Laurens, South Carolina, 10 days after Jimi Hendrix, Johnny has the same heritage as Hendrix, being half Afro-American and Cherokee Indian. At the age of nine Johnny was given his first harmonica. His major musical influences are BB King, Hendrix, Johnny Lee Hooker and Miles Davis. Johnny has a secret formula of pedals which earn him the tag of Hendrix of the Harmonica.

DENNIS GRUENLING, Harmonica www.dennisgruenling.com

Dennis Gruenling has been laying down some of the best blues & roots harmonica in the East Coast region for over a dozen years now. Ever since his self-titled debut with his band 'Jump Time' hit the streets in 1999, Dennis has been pulling in countless fans and numerous accolades from critics & musicians across the country for his swinging, highly original harmonica sound, and top-notch band.

RUSS GREEN, Harmonica www.russgreenblues.com

Russ Green was born in Chicago in 1967. He is a great singer and powerful harp player. His first ambition was to play guitar like Jimi Hendrix; unable to afford this he picked up the harmonica. The sounds he heard in his head came to a realization when he first heard the harp player Sugar Blue in 1992.  After a 3-year stay as a film student in Seattle, Russ returned to Chicago and again found himself searching out Sugar Blue. This time they became fast friends and Russ began to learn the technique of his style.

THE MICHAEL ROACH BAND www.michaelroach.com

Originally from Washington DC and now living in Cheltenham, internationally known country blues artist Michael Roach formed this 8 piece soulful rhythm and blues band with keyboard player Danny McCormack and saxophonist Paul Corry. Their acclaimed album 'I Betcha' was released in 2006. It has been a natural transition for Michael to go from his years as an acoustic performer to leading a big band, creating the resonance of the music that he grew up with.