Iconic American singer songwriter

(Monday 19th July already sold out)

Dean Friedman has been on my fantasy wishlist of people to play at the pub since I started in 1989.

I was an enormous fan of his music as a kid and still am. I say ‘fantasy wish list because singer songwriters of Friedman’s calibre - James Taylor, Paul Simon, John Denver and Art Garfunkel don’t usually fly across the Atlantic to entertain 40 people in a pub.

Dean’s number 1 British hit singles were ‘Ariel’, ‘Woman of Mine’. ‘Lucky Stars’ and ‘Lydia’.

Full regular menu. £25 music cover charge.

3rd August 2010

Contemporary bloody good music

The legendary, unsung hero that is Peter Brown. He comes from musical heritage. His sister, Sam, a successful solo artist had a worldwide No 1 with “Stop” and has frequently appeared with Jools Holland. His father, Joe, has never stopped playing in 50 years, while his late mother, Vicki, was an esteemed singer both in the UK and abroad. Many of us have enjoyed Peter, playing in Joe’s band at the Kenton Theatre, indeed concert halls throughout the UK. For the most part of 20 years, Pete Brown has produced, played and written for other bands. Now, at last, Pete has his own band and a STUNNING album. Finally Pete has found time to record his own album, aptly titled “Not Before Time” – an addictively gorgeous mix of blues, country, folk, boogie, rock ‘n roll.

Pete is accomplished on all things stringed: guitar, mandolin, bass, banjo and very fine vocals to boot (also a very accomplished whistle player!) Pete started performing at the age of 12, professionally from 16 and has worked with an eclectic bunch including Sade, Nick Lowe, Dusty Springfield, Edwin Star, Courtney Pine, Status Quo, The Specials, Dave Gilmore, Doctor Hook, Deep Purple, George Harrison and of course, Joe & Sam. Peter Brown & The Volunteers are fab – keyboard, bass, drums, great vocals and all things stringed. In today’s climate of canned, labelled and processed music, this is one musician who’s totally the real deal – don’t miss his Crooked Billet show.

11th August 2010

Jazz & Blues

An exceptional band, always enormously popular at the pub – 3 standing ovations last time these amazing musicians entertained at the Crooked Billet. Songs ranging from Tin Pan Ballads, blues, jazz and folk. Influenced by the style of the late John Martyn. The piano playing will be sublime, exquisite guitar and vocals courtesy of Tom Anderson, double bass and percussion accompaniment. Piano: Anthony England has recorded countless albums, television programmes, TV and radio adverts and jingles. Having toured and recorded with everybody. He has been musical director for Bonnie Langford and numerous theatre shows. Anthony also appeared with the 70’s hit band Sailor. In 2005, Anthony wrote the music and lyric for the Wet End production “Santa Claus the Musical”.

Bass: Andy Crowdy has been a constant presence on the British jazz scene for many years, as a bassist, guitarist, teacher, composer and arranger. Andy has a Masters degree in composition and 20th century Music. He has made countless studio recordings and live appearances, a well as films, TV and radio with many of the best musicians in the UK. Drums: Andy Goodchild is a seasoned London session musician with roots in the big band style of Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson and the likes. He has performed in many of London’s top jazz venue such as ‘Ronnie Scott’s’ and ‘Pizza on the Park’. He is credited with live TV and radio sessions including the musical ‘Chicago’ in the West End.

Full regular menu. £5 music cover. Don’t miss this one!

24th August 2010

A very small Ukulele Orchestra!

Kaplan Kaye and Bill Dare are the Ukaye Ukes. They’ve been wowing and entertaining audiences with their delightful, funny show and superb musical abilities for some time. A truly brilliant show, makes you grin from ear to ear. The songs they perform range from self-penned to lots of contemporary pop and rock tunes and a few surprises thrown in for good measure just to kick you off balance.

Expect ‘Roll Over Beethoven’, ‘Tiptoe Through The Tulips’ and ‘Smile’ - a gloriously daft feel good set.

Kaplan originally trained as an actor, appearing in major television, film & West End productions such as ‘Oliver‘, ‘Blitz’ and ‘Bye Bye Birdie‘. He’s played “Puck” in ‘Midsummer Nights Dream’ at Covent Garden, also appeared as Henry in the BBC TV series ‘Just William’. He’s had a few hit records including ‘Do You Believe In Magic’ and written songs for Lulu and Joe Cocker. Bill Dare, a legendary skiffle player and extraordinarily talented multi-instrumentalist has enjoyed an illustrious recording and touring career, having played with many of the 50’s and 60’s most legendary artists. Kaplan and Bill’s attraction to Ukulele started after seeing their friend, 60’s icon and superb musician Joe Brown perform ‘I’ll See You In My Dreams’ as a tribute to the late George Harrison (Concert for George, Royal Albert Hall) and indeed the Ukaye Ukes perform the song themselves as a tribute to Joe Brown.

Full regular menu. £10 music cover.

Jazz. Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring, Part 1

I endeavour to keep music at the Crooked Billet eclectic, imaginative, amazing and different – this certainly fits the bill. Allow me to explain!

Dylan Howe is son of YES guitarist Steve Howe. YES used Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring to blast through the PA speakers prior to going on stage. From a child, this dramatic piece of music became firmly imprinted in Dylan’s mind and memory. When Dylan was 13, his parents took him to see Buddy Rich and his big band at Ronnie Scott’s club – he cites this as the moment when he knew he wanted to become a jazz drummer.

Today, Dylan Howe is recognized as one of our foremost jazz drummers, he formed his jazz quintet in 2003 and has released four solo albums. Dylan joined Ian Dury and The Blockheads in 1997. Following Dury’s death in 2000 has continued playing in The Blockheads, also drummer in the Wilko Johnson Band – Wilko on guitar, Norman Watt-Roy on bass. Dylan has also worked with Paul McCartney, Ray Davies, Tom Jones and Gabrielle. Will Butterworth was destined for a career as a classical cellist, but after improvising on the piano at a young age, is recognized as one of our foremost classical and jazz pianists. Butterworth developed the Stravinsky Project – recorded it – just piano and drums with Howe, fans of both jazz and classical have reacted very enthusiastically (great write up in The Guardian and Times). Here’s the Amazon link – Dylan Howe

The Crooked Billet concert will run in two 50 minute sections, inspired by Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring and Firebird Suite. Butterworth has taken the original orchestra scores back to their Russian folk song roots; Dylan’s percussion is understated and sympathetic. Tuesday 31st August. Two brilliant musicians and an intense piece of jazzed up Stravinsky.

Full regular menu. Arrive for 7.00pm. £7 music cover charge.

07/09/10          Megan Henwood Band featuring Joe
13/09/10          Joni Mitchell Project
27/09/10          Chris Jagger with his rootsy fiddle, accordian and double bass folky bluesy trio
12/10/10          George Washingmachine & his band
15/11/10          Nina Ferano and her jazz quartet. Internationally acclaimed jazz-soul-blues diva
23/11/10          John Ethridge and the Sweet Harmony quartet. Gypsy jazz at its very very best from former Soft Machine & Grappeli guitarist
30/11/10          Miller Anderson