Fri 20th October, 2017
8:00 pm - 10:30 pm (Doors: 7:30pm)
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CHAPEL ARTS CAFE IS OPEN THIS EVENING – last orders 7.00pm, to book a table please call: 01225 920256
Acclaimed blues-rock guitarist Saiichi Sugiyama and his band are touring the UK in October 2017 ahead of the release of their new album.
The band’s single ‘Melting Away’ was described by Classic Rock Magazine as “reminiscent of Free at their most powerful … an emotional slice of blues-rock”. Saiichi was delighted to persuade his long time hero, legendary Free bassist Andy Fraser who wrote the classics “All Right Now” and “My Brother Jake”, to perform on the track not knowing that it was to be one of Andy’s last recordings. Sadly, Andy Fraser passed away in March 2015.
Saiichi is an authoritative live performer praised by Moray Stuart of Blues In Britain for providing “a cracking bit of air-conditioned Les Paul action”. Sugiyama has been creating music that harks back to the halcyon days of rock and soul, 1965-1974, when blues bands were in the pop chart and all you needed was love. Potent and melodic, Saiichi’s original material, with many songs written with Cream lyricist Pete Brown, is a standout in today’s UK blues scene. It is what makes the band’s live dates, in the words of Blues DJ Ian McHugh, “a joyous, at once familiar and fresh experience”.
Sugiyama’s 6-piece band will feature the soulful singer, Monica George (London Community Gospel Choir) on lead vocal, Ben Reed on bass, Mune Sugiyama on drums, Stuart Dixon on rhythm guitar and Sam Grimley on keyboards.