Ruby Turner support: Arthur Lea's Bootlegs (27-29 jan), support (3-5 Feb) : TJ JOHNSON TRIO

Booking now closed, a few tickets still left on the door.

Ruby Turner is a national and international treasure, having already been awarded with the prestigious Gold Badge Award, for her contribution to British music.

Ruby Turner was born in Jamaica and grew up in Montego Bay. Her Grandfather sang the lead in one of the Island's Gospel Groups. Moving to England when she was 9, Ruby has lived here ever since.

    "Soul, Gospel, and R&B : Ruby Turner is truly the genuine article. Blessed with a voice that can breathe life and meaning into any song, whether it be a passionate ballad or a fast groove" - The Guardian

Her career to date has always had many unexpected twists and turns with major tours, theatre and TV appearances, and touring with Jools Holland, the future continues to look positive. On 4 June 2012 Ruby performed 'You Are So Beautiful' with Jools Holland at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert outside Buckingham Palace in London. In autumn 2012 Ruby was a guest judge on BBC 'The Choir: Sing While You Work with choirmaster Gareth Malone' and in 2013 Ruby was a guest judge on BBC 'Songs of praise gospel choirs competition. In June 2016 Ruby was awarded an MBE.

Her major break came in the mid 1980's, when she was asked to join 'Culture Club' at the height of their stardom. Ruby very quickly learned how to deal with the routine of gruelling tour schedules, living out of a suit case and performing to vast sell-out audiences. An offer of a solo record deal closely followed and she soon signed to Jive Records, part of the Zomba Group. Four albums and a "Best of" Compilation Album were all released to critical acclaim over the next few years making Ruby a household name.

This period went on to spawn the hits 'I'd Rather Go Blind', 'If You're Ready' (Come Go With Me) and in the American R'n'B chart, the Number 1 hit single 'It's Gonna Be Alright' - one of less than ten British records to achieve this! It was at this time that she also released her hit album 'The Motown Songbook' on which she performed with some of the truly great stars of that era - The Four Tops, The Temptations, Jimmy Ruffin etc. To date, Ruby has released 17 albums plus the BBC's 'Live From Glastonbury', as well as appearing on releases by the likes of Brian Ferry, UB40, Steve Winwood and Mick Jagger. She is also one of the main singers in Jools Holland's R&B Orchestra, and features on many tracks on his albums.

Supporting Artist/Band

support: Arthur Lea's Bootlegs (27-29 jan)

‘hard-riffing’ ‘excellent pianist’ ‘like a 21st-century Thelonious Monk’ John Fordham, The Guardian

The support act tonight will feature Arthur Lea's Bootlegs!

Line up confirmed:

Arthur Lea-  piano/vocals

Johan Bylling Lang - saxophone (Denmark)

Chris Barrett - tuba

Pat Levett - drums

Arthur Lea has been hammering honky tonks since his hands could first reach the keys. He sings a retro brand of rhythm n blues, irregular riffs, and southern soul. In and out of London with his own music and other bands, he gigs greatly, writes constantly, promotes events, records, produces, teaches, and generally likes to play.

‘Like the blues legends he admires, Arthur Lea is not only a great singer and songwriter – he’s also a fantastic showman’ Rick Pearson, Evening Standard music critic

support (3-5 Feb) : TJ JOHNSON TRIO

Singer/pianist who has absorbed the musical gumbo and mardi-gras from the Crescent City – expect gritty vocals and hot piano. TJ and his band will performing a heady mix of jazz, blues and swing influenced by Ray Charles to Dr John and beyond

TJ Johnson is widely considered to be one of the UK’s most charismatic highly revered jazz and blues singers. He is also a hot piano player, drummer and a respected bandleader. Always a true ambassador of the soul, TJ sings songs of love lost and gained, of life wholesome and corrupt, songs of hope and despair, songs of the night, all with the true passion and boozy swagger of only a man who has been there and knows.

Backed by his group of top London based musicians TJ plays an extraordinary blend of music that transcends the boundaries of jazz, blues, soul, country and gospel and is influenced by some of the greats such as Ray Charles, Dr John, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Cash, BB King, Nina Simone, Alberta Hunter, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Witherspoon and many more. His distinctive voice and unique personal stage manner always brings both the band and the audience together to create an intimate yet exciting atmosphere that is rarely equalled.

TJ and his band have toured extensively both in the UK and overseas for over twenty years and now while still maintaining a high profile at international festivals and venues he is also very involved in the vibrant London music scene. TJ’s style and mix of music seems to be very popular with the young trendy in-­‐ crowd and older jazz and blues fans alike.