Crossroads Blues Club Listings 2011 
Every Thursday at 8:45pm at the Tower of Song Cafe Bar, Cotteridge - Free entry

Page last updated Thursday December 29, 2011

Thursday 3rd March 2011

See photos from gig		 Open mic + MOJOHOOKER
...an electrifying, funky, five piece blues band bringing real riff based Blues back to the Midlands with a mixture of original and cover songs. Think Buddy Guy meets Etta James meets The Meters meets The 3 Kings and you’ll find Mojohooker! Rocking...Sassy...Smouldering performances every time.

Thursday 10th March 2011 Open mic + MELLOW PEACHES
With their unique and skilful take on the Blues, we are delighted to welcome these great musicians back to play a main spot for us.

Thursday 17th March 2011 Open mic + BabaJack
BabaJack are continuing to make a real impact on the acoustic and blues scene, with their energetic and original take on blues. 
They have been described as a musical partnership with a 'hard work ethic, passion for detail and damn good musicianship'.  They bring all their influences to their songs, but they are true to their first love...the Blues.
Their high-energy, percussion-driven set always goes down a storm when they last played at the Crossroads - make sure you catch them this time around.

Thursday 24th March 2011 Blues Jam
Thursday 31st March 2011 Open mic + JOHN DENTON

John Denton returns with his band - imaginatively called the 'JD Band'! The band features  one of Britain's finest blues harp players  Dave Smith, Colin Warren on bass, Alan Davies on guitar and Maurice Winsor on drums. Maurice plays regularly with Robyn Hitchcock and both he and Alan were original members of Hitchcock's 'The Soft Boys'.
Some of you may be familiar with John's work in the late '90's with Birmingham's '7:17 Blues', which also featured Dave Smith. The band will play their preferred mix of blues, r & b and funk with a little hint of jazz and John will, from time to time, turn his soulful larynx to the odd acappella number!

The thrill has gone? Not likely!!!

Thursday 7th April 2011 Open mic + THE MARK BENNETT TRIO
Mark Bennett is back again for the main slot this week with his trio, this time with Eddie Moohan on bass and Alan Nichols on drums.  They play a cool mix of original material and 'off-the-beaten-track' contemporary covers. It's the 'jazzy funky end of the blues' - with a few rockin' crowd pleasers thrown in for good measure. Promises to be a good night! Click the image below to see the full size gig poster.

Thursday 14th April  2011 Open mic + TONY PORTLOCK and MATT THORPE
With his powerful voice and dazzling guitar skills, Tony performs an eclectic mix of folk, blues and jazz in both traditional and contemporary styles, interspersed with virtuoso instrumentals.

Thursday 21st April  2011 Open mic + FRANKIE WILLIAMS AND THE GREY GOOSE
If you love the blues you’ll love the Goose. The Grey Goose play the blues, with a touch of jazz. Cool, stylish blues with a jazzy heart and a gritty edge. The Grey Goose play some traditional blues tunes - tunes by artists such as Sonny Boy Williamson, Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, BB King and T Bone Walker. But the Grey Goose are a living blues band who pride themselves in finding their own voice and Frankie Williams is continually writing songs, some of which make it into the Grey Goose's set.
Guaranteed the Grey Goose will move you one way or another.

www.thegreygoose.webs.com    www.mypsace.com/thegreygooseblues

Thursday 28th April 2011 Blues Jam
Thursday 5th May 2011 Open mic + MJHQ Band
Producing a mix of music, with roots from American Jazz and Blues and others which are distinctly European

Thursday 12th May 2011 Open mic + MIKE MARKEY & NICK JONES
Mike & Nick have played alongside Walter Trout, Mike Sanchez, Duck Baker, John Renbourn, Dana Gillespie, Dino Baptiste, Zoot Money, Wizz Jones amongst many others.
Mike is a vocalist and harp player in a traditional blues style who sings a range of songs from the blues greats including “Tired as a man can be.” (Sonny and Brownie); “I just can’t be satisfied” (Muddy Waters); “Dust Pneumonia Blues” (Woody Guthrie) and “I’m so lonesome” (Hank Williams). Nick is a highly accomplished player on both guitar and  resonator. It takes a special talent to hold an audience spellbound with just guitar, voice and harmonica and Mike and Nick manage this brilliantly!


Thursday 19th May 2011 Open mic + SAM:
SAM present blues, jazz and soul influenced music, with a more than healthy sprinkling of pre and post war classics.  Always accessible, sometimes moody and sometimes fun, their eclectic mix and individual style creates a buzz wherever they play. The line up comprises guitars, keyboards, harmonica, percussion and stripped down drums and featuring soulful vocals. Come along and be prepared to be thoroughly entertained.
 
Thursday 26th May 2011 Blues Jam
Thursday 2nd June  2011 Open mic + BRYAN JAMES unplugged
Bryan is well known as the guitarist and vocalist with top local Rock & Blues band Pure Instinct. He also a versatile and entertaining acoustic performer, delivering his individual take on The Blues on a range of instruments...including guitar, dobro, mandolin and sitar We are delighted to welcome him back to The Crossroads.

 

Here's a short YouTube video of the ever-versatile Bryan playing the Sitar.

Thursday 9th June  2011 Open mic + MAZ MITRENKO
Acoustic or electric, local guy Maz plays a mean Blues and can rock out with the best.

Thursday 16th June  2011 Open mic + ROB LANE
Rob is a young Birmingham-based Guitarist, Songwriter and Singer and great supporter of The Crossroads. In May 2010 he was chosen by the LG Arena to perform before concerts by both Dire Straits' front man Mark Knopfler and international superstar singer/songwriter John Mayer. Robert exudes a proudly eclectic style which touches on introverted singer songwriter and broken hearted blues journeyman.

Visit Rob's blog here and download his album from iTunes here.

Thursday 23rd June 2011 Blues Jam
Thursday 30th June  2011 Open mic + LIL' IAN GOODSMAN
Based in Whangarei, New Zealand, Lil' Ian is a touring musician, having played New Zealand, Australia, USA and the UK. His combination of great finger picking, slide guitar and vocals gave us a night to remember when he was our guest  last year and we are delighted to welcome him back to The Crossroads.

www.iangoodsman.com     www.youtube.com/iangoodsman    www.myspace.com/iangoodsman

Thursday 7th July 2011 Open mic + SLIDE BOY ROY
Slide Boy Roy is a Chicago Blues inspired band. They have played gigs, open mic and jam sessions at The Crossroads and always delivered great musicianship and entertainment. With an ever-evolving set-list, no two performances are the same, so be prepared for the unexpected!

    

Thursday 14th July 2011


Open mic + Blues Illusion featuring Mike Davids

Thursday 21st July 2011 Open mic + JACK BLACKMAN


  

Still only in his mid-teens and already a seasoned performer, Jack will be making a welcome return to The Crossroads.  Click here to see Jack's biog.

www.jackblackman.com      www.myspace.com/jackblackmantheguitarist

Thursday 28th July 2011 Blues Jam Night
Thursday 4th August 2011 Open mic + Bourbon Blues Band


   

Playing classics through to modern-day blues, from artists such as Robert Johnson, Albert King, John Mayall, Gary Moore, Stevie Ray and more; our set covers a diverse range of songs, with more interesting renditions than you would normally expect to hear!
www.bourbonbluesband.com

 

Thursday 11th August 2011 Open mic + MATT WOSSEY


   

 Entirely original songs with a good dose of raw blues too!

 

Thursday 18th August 2011 Blues Jam Night
Thursday 25th August 2011 Open mic + THE STEVE AJAO BLUES GIANTS:
Steve Ajao is simply one of Britain's top Blues and Jazz players. Add in the huge talents of Mike Hatton on bass and Pete Hammond on drums and you get a band that seriously rocks!

Thursday 1st September 2011 Open mic + CRY BABY & THE HOOCHIE COOCHIE BOYS
The band was 'rounded up' by Rob Wilkinson in 2008 - all  of the members had their own bands before or had guested as players with other bands. They were all drawn to the sounds of Nine Below Zero, Dr Feelgood, Ian Siegal and Albert Cummings etc. so they put a set list together and they went on the road in February 2009. It will be great to welcome them back to The Crossroads.

 

www.crybabyhoochiecoochieboys.com

www.myspace.com/crybabyhoochiecoochieboys

Thursday 8th September 2011 Open mic + Smokin Ade
Inspirational music influenced by the likes of Jimmie Vaughan, Ronnie Earl, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, early BB King, T-Bone Walker & Freddie King

  

Thursday 15th September 2011 Open mic + BabaJack
BabaJack are continuing to make a real impact on the acoustic and blues scene, with their energetic and original take on blues. 
They have been described as a musical partnership with a 'hard work ethic, passion for detail and damn good musicianship'.  They bring all their influences to their songs, but they are true to their first love...the Blues.
Their high-energy, percussion-driven set always goes down a storm when they last played at the Crossroads - make sure you catch them this time around.

Thursday 22nd September 2011

 Open mic + THE CHICKENBONE BLUES BAND
...bringing the sounds of the Mississippi Delta and Chicago blues clubs to the streets of Birmingham.

    

Thursday 29th September 2011 Blues Jam Night
Thursday 6th October 2011 Open mic + THE ANNIE DUGGAN BAND 
The Ann Duggan Band are a Leicester based band who have built up a sizeable following over the last few years performing both in this Country, Europe and the States. She has performed with the likes of Larry Garner, Ike Turner and Chris Jagger to name but a few and has established herself as one of the most distinctive voices on the UK live music scene. Their music best described as a seamless mix of Country? Blues and Roots and Roadhouse Rock, played with a powerful combination of energy, melody and lyricism. Classic Rock Magazine described it as " Blue Collar Music at it's best". She will be joined tonight by her fantastic guitarist Rob Hines and Brian Tillson on Bass. This is a roller coaster of a show and should not be missed!” 
Thursday 13th October 2011 Open mic + THE OUTWOODS COUNTY RIDERS 
The Outwoods County Riders (previously the 44's) are a guitar, bass and drums combo from Leicester, who draw their music from the raw elements of Mississippi mud. This is hill country music, amplified, ramshackle, and nailed on to a brutally primitive beat that is as infectious as swine fever!
 
Thursday 20th October 2011 Open mic + THE MARK BENNETT TRIO
Mark Bennett is back again for the main slot this week with his trio, this time with Eddie Moohan on bass and Alan Nichols on drums.  They play a cool mix of original material and 'off-the-beaten-track' contemporary covers. It's the 'jazzy funky end of the blues' - with a few rockin' crowd pleasers thrown in for good measure. Promises to be a good night! Click the image below to see the full size gig poster.

 

Thursday 27th October 2011

Blues Jam Night - Come along, bring your instruments and join in the sounds

Thursday 3rd November 2011 Open mic + MAZ MITRENKO
Acoustic or electric, local guy Maz plays a mean Blues and can rock out with the best.

Thursday 10th November 2011 Open mic + ROB LANE
Rob is a young Birmingham-based Guitarist, Songwriter and Singer and great supporter of The Crossroads. In May 2010 he was chosen by the LG Arena to perform before concerts by both Dire Straits' front man Mark Knopfler and international superstar singer/songwriter John Mayer. Robert exudes a proudly eclectic style which touches on introverted singer songwriter and broken hearted blues journeyman.

Visit Rob's blog here and download his album from iTunes here
Thursday 17th November 2011 Open mic + MELLOW PEACHES
With their unique and skilful take on the Blues, we are delighted to welcome these great musicians back to play a main spot for us.

Thursday 24th November 2011 Open mic + Paul Cowley Trio with Mike Hatton and Tony Stokes
Paul is making a short but welcome return to the UK to perform at the Crossroads after moving to France with his wife Diane to start a new life. Great to have him back !!

paul cowley
Thursday 1st December 2011 Blues Jam Night - Come along, bring your instruments, plug and play !
Thursday 8th December 2011 Open mic + JOHN DENTON

John Denton returns with his band - imaginatively called the 'JD Band'! The band features  one of Britain's finest blues harp players  Dave Smith, Colin Warren on bass, Alan Davies on guitar and Maurice Winsor on drums. Maurice plays regularly with Robyn Hitchcock and both he and Alan were original members of Hitchcock's 'The Soft Boys'.
Some of you may be familiar with John's work in the late '90's with Birmingham's '7:17 Blues', which also featured Dave Smith. The band will play their preferred mix of blues, r & b and funk with a little hint of jazz and John will, from time to time, turn his soulful larynx to the odd acappella number!

 

Thursday 15th December 2011 Open mic + BRYAN JAMES unplugged
Bryan is well known as the guitarist and vocalist with top local Rock & Blues band Pure Instinct. He also a versatile and entertaining acoustic performer, delivering his individual take on The Blues on a range of instruments...including guitar, dobro, mandolin and sitar We are delighted to welcome him back to The Crossroads.

 

Thursday 22nd December 2011 Ladies Sing The Blues
Tonight see a collection of some of the best female blues singers around.
Booked so far - Kirsy, Camilla Blakemore, Sandy Williamson and Delyth Jones.
dyleth   kirsty   camilla 
Thursday 29th December 2011 Blues Jam Night - Come along, bring your instruments, plug and play !