Mumbles Mostly Jazz and Blues Festival

The Hamish Stuart Band

Friday 2nd May, 8–11.15pm (support band 8–9pm, Hamish 9.15–11.15pm, 2 sets), in the Marquee Pavilion

Glasgow-born Hamish Stuart shot to fame in the 1970s as the falsetto voice and guitarist of the Average White Band, his distinctive song writing and vocal and guitar style helping pave the way to their extraordinary worldwide success.

After AWB split up, Hamish spent the rest of the 1980s touring, writing and recording with a galaxy of soul legends, including Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin and George Benson. During this period of his life Hamish also worked in the studio with a number of high-profile soul artists like Jeffrey Osborne, for whom he co-wrote and produced 'Soweto'; Chaka Khan, for whom he arranged and played on the debut hit single 'I'm Every Woman' and then co-wrote the US No. 1 'Whatcha Gonna Do for Me?' and its follow up 'If Your Heart Isn't in It'; Atlantic Starr, for whom Hamish wrote and produced their debut hit; and Diana Ross and The Temptations, who recorded Hamish Stuart songs during the 1980s.

In 1988 Hamish went through a major change of direction when he was invited to become the cornerstone of Paul McCartney's 1989–93 record-breaking touring and recording band, criss-crossing the world and recording five albums with McCartney, including Paul's last UK No. 1 album 'Flowers in the Dirt' and the first-ever 'MTV Unplugged' album.

After McCartney stopped touring at the end of 1993, Hamish relocated from Los Angeles to London, where he has since pursued all manner of musical escapades encompassing solo albums with his regular Hamish Stuart Band and with his respected collaborators Jim Mullen, Pino Palladino and Ian Thomas as 'Jim Jam'. From time to time Hamish can be found making typically stunning guest vocal appearances at events like Quincy Jones's 64th birthday party and with Bonnie Raitt and Michael McDonald at the Royal Albert Hall.

Guitar & vocals: Hamish Stuart