John O’Leary & Sugarkane

John O’Leary & Sugarkane (the new name for the John O’Leary Band) is a potent mix of blues, funk and rock – not just a showcase for the leader but also for the extraordinary talents of his band.

Where: Con Club
When: Sunday 2nd May
Time: 8.45–11.15pm

John O’Leary is one of the pioneers of the art of the blues harp in the U.K. Originally from Ireland, John’s family was part of the massive migration to England in the aftermath of World War 2. In London’s thriving jazz clubs of the 1960s he first heard blues harp player Cyril Davies with Alexis Korner’s Blues Inc. John bought his first instrument in 1962 and learned to play by listening and watching Davies. Inevitably, he discovered the great masters of the blues harmonica: Sonny Boy Williamson No.1, Sonny Terry, Little Walter, Noah Lewis, James Cotton, Shakey Horton and Junior Wells. John's career has seen his involvement with numerous bands and musicians over four decades. Beginning in 1965 with Savoy Brown’s Blues Band through to the present-day John O’Leary & Sugarkane, John has continued to maintain a prominent position on the British and European blues scene.

In forming the band, John wanted to create something that was a departure from the familiar blues scenario in which the spotlight is on one person and all the other members of the band are there simply to back him up:

“I'm tired of just listening to one person doing their own thing whilst everyone else is left in the shade! I wanted each and every member of the band to show what they can do both collectively and as a soloist. There is a jazz ethos in the way we play. The band is therefore NOT about me, it's about ALL of us.”

From constant live performances in the blues clubs up and down the country the band has earned a deserved reputation as “a box of fireworks”.

Dave Day – guitar

Roger Inniss – bass

Jools Grudgings – keys

Joachim Greve – drums

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Weblink:

• www.johnolearyb.com
• www.myspace.com/johnolearyband