Music Nights
Mollie Marriott
Wednesday, 29th of May 2013
Stunning contemporary blues & soul vocalist
We have enjoyed superb previous Mollie Marriott shows, with her old band “Union Chain.” On 29th May, Mollie returns on solo lead vocal with exquisite singers & musicians.
Daughter of Steve Marriott, Mollie followed on in the family tradition by going on stage early. Her first record deal was as a member of girl band D2M at the age of 12. Proving she can rock like her father, Mollie at the tender age of 15 recorded vocals with Oasis on their album Heathen Chemistry. She has also recorded & toured with Paul Weller, Ronnie Wood, Joe Brown, Mark Knopfler & Beyonce.
Mollie Marriott has a voice that gives you goosebumps – a simply world class performer, rock ‘n roll royalty in her DNA, as intoxicating as a vintage dessert wine. Expect R&B, soul, some exceptional self-penned numbers & a little rock ‘n roll.
Full regular menu. £12.50 music cover charge.
Mambo Jambo
Wednesday, 5th of June 2013
Mambo Jambo are gaining a reputation nationally as a “must see” band. Besides playing a mouth-watering array of acoustic styles & instruments – Frankie on sax, flute, clarinet, guitar, percussion, & Pete on guitar, Cuban tres guitar, bluegrass banjo, Brazilian ukulele, accordion & even a suitcase - these two singing multi-instrumentalists know how to have a lot of fun sharing their passion & enthusiasm with their audience.
They are equally at home playing jazz & bossa, as Cuban style, boogie blues, New Orleans, bluegrass & more, all with an unmistakeable summertime feel! Their many tours & shows include Borneo (Miri International Jazz Festival), Cork Jazz Festival, Hard Rock Café Park Lane, Shetland Folk Festival, Havana Cuba, & many European tours. Their four piece, ‘Forro Porro’, set the dancefloor heaving at Henley Festival in 2010 & they’ve shared the stage with Crooked Billet favourites Rag Mama Rag & We Ghosts. This show is guaranteed to get your toes tapping & put a big smile on your face!
Weather permitting I’ll barbecue a few menu specials. If it’s a warm evening we’ll do music & al fresco dining outside. Bring a jumper for later; snuggle blankets & space heaters provided.
Full regular menu. £8 music cover charge.
Woody Mann
Wednesday, 12th of June 2013
American Blues, Roots & Jazz Guitar Legend
Woody Mann is one of the world’s most renowned guitar masters & song story tellers, a superlative player/singer/songwriter from New York, playing a mix of great American acoustic roots music.
“He taught Paul Simon to play the guitar! He’s warm witty & hugely talented, a truly great entertainer. Not only was Woody taught by the peerless guitar picker the Rev Gary Davis, but Mann has played with Son House, Bukka White & John Fahey & has studied jazz under the great Lennie Tristano...don't miss a chance to see him; you are unlikely to hear anything - or anyone - better.." - The Times.
There is a huge amount of Myspace & YouTube footage on this legendary performer – check him out. He recently recorded a BBC 2 session with Paul Jones.
Full regular menu. £10 music cover charge.
Nine Below Zero
Wednesday, 19th of June 2013
Simply Brilliant. Bluesy.
We have enjoyed several astonishing Nine Below Zero shows over the years at the Crooked Billet. Wednesday 19th – a very special ‘one-off’ show that I’ve been hassling for, for many years. Stripped back & raw Dennis Greaves & Mark Feltham playing acoustic & “slightly plugged in”.
Dennis Greaves, founder member of Nine Below Zero, undoubtedly one of Britain’s coolest, most respected & talented blues vocal & guitarists. Blues harp accompaniment from Nine Below Zero’s Mark Feltham, the world’s busiest harp player – he’s recorded on every blues album, Gary Moore to Eric Clapton.
Whenever Bruce Willis is in London, Nine Below Zero become his band. (I think it should be the other way round – Dennis is far cooler than Willis!)
God! This is going to be brilliant; I’ve wanted to host this show for years.
Full regular menu. £12.50 music cover charge.
From Pentangle – Jacqui McShee’s Take Three
Monday, 24th of June 2013
A new venture for one of the founder members of the iconic Pentangle
After 48 years in the business, Jacqui McShee returns to her acoustic roots with her new project “Take Three” featuring Alan Thomson bass player extraordinaire, but here playing wonderful acoustic guitar & Gerry Conway, stepping away from the kit to play atmospheric & thoughtful percussion. Having just released a new album, you can expect an evening of songs taken from a vast repertoire of folk, jazz, blues & beyond.
You’ll also remember Alan Thomson from John Martyn’s band. His touring & writing credits include Robert Palmer, Rick Wakeman, Julia Fordham, Andy Summers, Denny Laine & Long John Baldry. Gerry Conway’s touring & writing credits include Fairport Convention, Paul McCartney,Cat Stevens, Jethro Tull, Alexis Korner & Emmylou Harris.
So! Should be a good night!!
Full regular menu. £12.50 music cover charge.
Ben Waters
Wednesday, 3rd of July 2013
Boogie Woogie Piano
Since the release of his recent album “Boogie 4 Stu”, a magical collaboration with all members of the Rolling Stones, Ben’s touring schedule has been more hectic than ever, including the brilliant performance with Jools Holland on “Later…”. Ben’s album celebrates the life & music of Stone’s keyboard player Ian Stewart with proceeds going to the British Heart Foundation & the first record in over 2 decades to feature Bill Wyman with Mick, Ronnie, Keith & Charlie.
Ben Waters, exceptional Boogie pianist, is quite simply one of the most talented guys around. If you haven’t experienced him live, I can’t recommend the evening enough – always a foot-stomping resounding triumph, leaving the audience wanting encores. Ben’s reputation is global, a favourite on the festival circuit: Barbados Rhythm & Jazz Festival, Henley Festival, Glastonbury.
Full regular menu. £20 music cover charge.
Ding Dong Daddios
Monday, 8th of July 2013
A Midsummer Ding Dong
The Ding Dong Daddios bring you the most toe-tapping tunes from the heydays of the 40’s & 50’s. Take a Choochoo Ch’boogie Runaway Train with Five Guys Named Mo all the way to Mac the Knife, passing through Istanbul (not Constantinople) on the way. Their rendition of ‘Top Cat’ is legendary. This jumpin’ & jivin’ 5-piece swing band jive suitably suited & booted 1940’s style.
Double bass, guitar, percussion & trombone. Up-tempo & highly entertaining. They’re brilliant. Bring a jumper – if it’s a nice evening we’ll host this evening in the Secret Garden; candle lit al fresco dining. Magical.
Full regular menu. £15 music cover charge.
Micky Moody & Papa George
Tuesday, 16th of July 2013
Blues Guitarists
Needing absolutely no introduction, I’m delighted to welcome two of Britain’s finest purveyors of slide, blue grass, blues, acoustic & electric early rock ‘n’ roll guitar.
Muddy Waters described Papa George as ‘spectacular’. Micky Moody’s best known for his time with Whitesnake, & also enjoyed hits with Juicy Lucy, Frankie Miller, Roger Chapman & Chris Farlowe.
Full regular menu. £12 music cover charge.
Fapy Lafertin Trio
Tuesday, 23rd of July 2013
Genuine Django Gypsy Musicians
After their two sell out Crooked Billet shows last year, I’m delighted to welcome back Fapy Lafertin & his fabulous band.
Fapy, widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest jazz guitarists, has worked with many distinguished gypsy jazz musicians including Stéphane Grappelli. With a global reputation as one of the world’s leading acoustic musicians Fapy has single-handedly been responsible for the resurgence of the Gypsy swing style amongst musicians & audiences alike.
On Tuesday 23rd July Fapy is joined by Sebastien Girardot & Crooked Billet favourite Dave Kelbie.
Full regular menu. £10 music cover charge.
Megan Henwood
Wednesday, 31st of July 2013
BBC Winning Acoustic Singer Songwriter
Winner of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Megan’s debut album “Making Waves” is enjoying enormous acclaim. Her powerful, poignant & witty lyrics are woven around wonderful timeless pop melodies & demonstrate a depth of maturity far beyond her young years. Radio presenter & folk legend Mike Harding is a huge enthusiast & supporter of Megan. Megan grew up in Henley-on-Thames, exposed to music at an early age, watching her mother sing at the famous Nettlebed Folk Club (the venue Megan celebrated her BBC award at, with a magical gig). As one would appreciate, Megan’s profile has exploded since winning her award with appearances at Warwick Folk Festival, Sidmouth Folk Festival, The Cambridge Folk Festival, Cropredy & The Crooked Billet.
At the Billet, Megan is accompanied by brother Joe on sax & her excellent band – her music isn’t finger in the ear, drab, moaning folk. Megan’s music is vibrant, melodic, fresh, energetic & bloody good. Don’t miss this one.
Full regular menu. £12 music cover charge.
Mike D’Abo
Monday, 12th of August 2013
Manfred Mann
Mike D’Abo composed the massive hit single “Handbags and Gladrags,” when he performs it at the Crooked Billet I get goosebumps.
This unassuming, down to earth man has made a phenomenal contribution to modern popular music. As front man and writer of Manfred Mann, his hits include “Semi-Detached Suburban Mr James”, “Just Like a Woman”, “Ragamuffin Man”, “Ha Ha Said the Clown”, “My Name is Jack”, “Mighty Quinn”, “Handbags and Gladrags” – also a hit for the Stereophonics, Chris Farlowe and Rod Stewart, subsequently became the theme music to BBC’s “The Office.” He also wrote “Little Miss Understood” and “So Much To Say” for Rod Stewart. Mike composed and performed the music for the Peter Sellers film “There’s A Girl In My Soup.” He played the part of Herod on the original recording of Jesus Christ Superstar, also the original recording of Evita.
On Monday 12th August, Mike will talk candidly about his career and play all the hits. Handbags and Gladrags – feel the hairs on your neck prickle!
Forgot to say – he also wrote “Build Me Up Buttercup” for The Foundations!
Full regular menu. £15 music cover charge.
Slim Panatella & the Mellow Virginians
Tuesday, 17th of September 2013
Hilary James, Simon Mayor & Richard Collins: Bluegrass to Irving Berlin on mandolins, fiddles, guitars & double bass. Good-time music firmly rooted in 1930's, 40's & 50's America with wonderful vocal harmonies & instrumental virtuosity.
Hilary James may be best known for her exquisite singing, but she also plays the double bass, mighty mandobass & is a mean guitar picker. Her superb voice defies categorisation & has featured everywhere from the BBC's Folk on 2 to Radio 1 & Classic FM!
As well as a fine fiddler, guitarist, composer, producer & wit, Simon Mayor is one of the world's leading mandolin players. His live performances are a riot of humorous anecdotes & off-the-cuff wit alongside dazzling musicianship. Simon Mayor has an unequalled reputation in folk, bluegrass & classical circles alike.
Three time UK banjo champion & flat-pick guitar wiz, Richard Collins also tours with American artists & has even been dragged back across the Atlantic for session work in Nashville. Apart from his consummate skill as a musician, Richard has reputedly the largest repertoire of self-deprecating banjo jokes in the world.
Full regular menu. £12.50 music cover charge.
Nina Ferro Jazz Trio
Monday, 30th of September 2013
‘A fabulous performer with a knockout voice’ Tony Bennett
Multi-award-winning vocalist whose warm, sensuous voice, impeccable timing & stunning vocal range have established an enviable international reputation. Appearing across the world alongside such greats as Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, Billy Ocean, Ricky Martin, Curtis Stigers, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Kyle Eastwood & Les Paul.
Her own albums, songs & natural, sexy, effortless vocals can regularly be heard on TV & radio. Piano, guitar & double bass accompaniment for an evening of slick jazz. A soulful songstress with quality of tone, honest emotion & technique that make her performances nothing short of inspirational.
Full regular menu. £12 music cover charge.
Rag Mama Rag
Monday, 7th of October 2013
Boogie Rag Time
The Crooked Billet loves Rag Mama Rag. They’ve notched up many years of superb shows at the pub & built a massive Crooked Billet following. One of Europe’s finest toe tapping bluesy boogie country acts. Ashley Dow & Deborah play a wide range of instruments, acoustic guitars, resophonique, bottleneck guitar, acoustic lap steel, ukulele, harmonica, washboard & very fine vocals.
Their repertoire is 20’s & 30’s blues based but extremely varied, encompassing Mississippi Blues, East Coast Ragtime, early white country tunes, original compositions & many other regional styles of the 20’s & 30’s period.
Full regular menu. £8 music cover charge.
Dean Friedman
Tuesday, 15th of October 2013 - Wednesday, 16th of October 2013
Iconic American Singer Songwriter
Dean Friedman has been on my fantasy wish list of people to play at the pub since I started in 1989. I was an enormous fan of his music as a kid & 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.
Mirth & Music
Wednesday, 13th of November 2013
Featuring Dave Pegg, Fairport Convention, Anthony John Clarke, Irish stand up and song smith supremo.
Two legendary musicians and consummate entertainers unite for an evening of outstanding song and music, with plenty of humour.
Belfast born Anthony John is recognised as one of the top songwriters on the acoustic/ folk scene, 12 albums and 3 singles including the beautiful “Seven in Ireland” and “Irish Eyes”. Anthony John enjoys an enormous following in UK, Europe, Australasia and USA.
Legendary Fairport Convention multi-instrumentalist Dave Pegg joins Anthony John. The friends draw from a wealth of hits and much loved songs for an evening of exquisite, outstanding music and a lot of humour.
Full regular menu. £15 music cover charge.
