Texas blues guitar legend and one-time lead guitarist in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers live at Band on the Wall with his acclaimed outfit for a night of blistering blues rock.
Buddy Whittington has been described by his ex-boss of 15 years as “possibly the greatest Bluesbreaker of them all”. Considering that the boss is John Mayall and the “all” includes Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor, this is not an accolade to be taken lightly.
Following an offer by John Mayall to join The Bluesbreakers in 1993 Buddy went on to work with John Mayall until 2008, touring the world and recording eight albums in the process. During this illustrious tenure highlights include touring the US supporting ZZ Top for their 1995 Antenna World Tour, and playing alongside Eric Clapton and Mick Taylor in 2003 for Mayall’s 70th Birthday Concert at The King’s Dock Arena in Liverpool.
During several co-headlining tours of Europe and the US featuring Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and legendary Fleetwood Mac founder/guitarist Peter Green’s ‘Splinter Group’, a mutual admiration society emerged between Bud, Green’s bassist Pete Stroud and organist/pianist Roger Cotton. The musicians enjoyed watching each others’ sets, began playing together on the encores and started talking about getting together to play some music if the opportunity arose, which it did shortly after when both The Splinter Group and The Bluesbreakers disbanded.
The Buddy Whittington Band then became a reality and a well-attended string of UK gigs was booked with the addition of drummer Darby Todd, who had been touring and recording with Justin Hawkins’ ‘Hot Leg’ and jazz/funk dynamos ‘Protect the Beat’, in addition to playing numerous shows with both Pete and Roger. During the last few years The Buddy Whittington Band has toured extensively in Europe playing venues throughout the UK, The Netherlands, Germany, Poland & Italy including a concert hall tour with the late Gary Moore. Buddy and his band have played major festivals at Pistoia in Italy, Cazorla in Spain, the Jazzablanca Festival in Morocco, the JB’S stage at 2011’s Limetree Arts and music festival & the Great British R & B festival at Colne.
Buddy really does have it all…a great sense of melody, great touch dynamics, great phrasing and a killer tone – a modern Texas bluesmaster. Add to the mix thought-provoking lyrics delivered with strong, honest vocals and you have one of the most original exponents of contemporary blues working today. Come down tonight and get yer blues fix at The Band.
This show starts at 8pm but our Picturehouse cafe bar is open earlier for food and drinks.
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