"Rebecca Downes is fast establishing herself as one of the star attractions amongst the new vanguard of blues performers in the UK, with her unique and powerful voice, drawing influences ranging from Blues and Soul to Jazz and Rock. Rebecca’s voice and performances have been, quite rightly, likened to such legendary artists as the full on Tina Turner, the bluesy feel of Etta James, and the raw power of Janis Joplin. Her passion for music comes from a deep belief in the power and authenticity of live music and a love for what she does."
 - www.rebeccadownes.com

The band comprises: Rebecca Downes, vocals; Dan Machin, guitar; Steve Birkett, keyboard and guitar; Dan Clark, guitar; Lloyd Daker, drums.

Kyla's voice remains a stunning example of the soul singer's art: turning up the heat by degrees, lulling and charming before unleashing emotional catharsis, and blurring the distinction between pleasure and pain like the soul greats of old. Whether fronting the mighty Kyla Brox Band, or harnessing undiluted soul power in a duo with musical and life partner Danny Blomeley, Kyla Brox is without doubt the most authentic UK blues and soul singer of her generation.  Born in Lancashire in 1980, she was exposed to the passion of Afro-American music at first-hand from her blues singing father, Victor. She traces her interest in singing from age three, partly from a desire to be closer to her charismatic but distant dad. She was the late product of the marriage between Victor (Caiaphas in the original cast recording of Jesus Christ Superstar) and Annette (the 'maid by the fire' in the same), and, unlike her elder sisters, gifted but non-professional singers, she didn't spend her formative years in the back of a touring van under a cloud of cannabis smoke.  Kyla joined the family business in 1992, singing with Victor onstage at Band On The Wall (Manchester)  at the age of 12, and performing with his regular touring group shortly afterwards.

Click here for Earlyblues interview with Kyla and Danny

Click here for Earlyblues interview with Victor Brox
 

The Steve Gibbons Band worked the pub and club circuits from 1971 until 1975 when they were spotted by Peter Meaden, former manager of The Who. This led to the Steve Gibbons Band joining The Who's management stable and recording their first Polydor album Any Road Up in 1975 (With John Entwistle of The Who playing on a few tracks). This was followed in 1976 by a tour with The Who in the UK, Europe and the United States. Playing the concert arenas, they shared the stage with Little Feat, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Electric Light Orchestra, The J. Geils Band and Nils Lofgren. Their next album, Rollin' On included their biggest hit single, "Tulane", a covered Chuck Berry song. They eventually made three more albums with Polydor. In 1981, after a change in personnel, The Steve Gibbons Band recorded Saints & Sinners for RCA and later responded to an invitation from the German Democratic Republic to become one of the first western rock bands to tour the major cities of East Germany in 1982. Gibbons played at the Birmingham Heart Beat Charity Concert 1986 which featured George Harrison. Nine more albums were released in the 1980s and 1990s, and the touring continues.-  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Gibbons_(musician)#Steve_Gibbons_Band
 

Split Whiskers have their roots firmly planted in Chicago blues, crossing boundaries into rock & funk. Fronted by Gilby J. Fletcher on vocals & blues harp with Johnny 'Magic Boy' Wright on vocals & acoustic, resonator & electric guitars, Matt Willshaw on keys, Claudia 'Beads' McKenzie on bass and Tony Hill on drums.