February means it’s time for the Broadstairs Blues Bash, and this year the dates are 20th - 23rd of February.
This Kent festival has been going 16 years! There are a 110 free bands, but crucially, twenty-five of those feature some fantastic harmonica players of national and international standard.
In no particular order, there is the great friend of Harmonica UK, Katie Bradley who wowed everyone at the 2024 festival. There is Marco Farris, a great London session player. Then, Ben Bouman, who people will remember from his work with Seydel and the Marbletones. Ben is running a harp workshop on Sunday at midday.
Stuart McKay from the Southern Slamdoor band and Richard Taylor from the Blackjacks are the brains behind Brighton's Harpin' By The Sea and are playing here with their respective bands. Jem Turpin is here with Sussex based Stormy T and Bluesman's Lane. Joff Watkins is Jimmy Regal and the Royals and Gideon is playing with the Washed up jug band. Adam Lynch, a fine Kentish tongue blocker is here too. Trevor Babajack Steger is playing, and he has been nominated for best harp player in the British Blues awards.
The Blues Duo feature Jon Vaughan on harp, a familiar face to Harmonica UK members. Eddie Mac from the Scoundrels will be playing along with the larger than life Terry Carter another enthusiastic Harmonica UK member. Gilb Fletcher is with Split Whiskers and Tim Aves formerly with Automatic Slim will be there with Leavin' Trunk. As well as Robin from the Groove Rats, there's also some Brilleauesque harmonica from Mark Sibley and the Feelgood band and Billy Boy Miskimmin is playing with the Sharpeez.
Festival Director Nigel Feist will be finishing the festival with his own band in one of the pubs. If you like harmonica and blues, then you really should get down to Broadstairs. It's a fantastic weekend down by the sea with some great blues and some great harmonica.
Bring your harps!! On Sunday there's a 4 hour jam session on the main stage!! For more information, go to: www.broadstairsbluesbash.com
