Solid Entertainments Presents WHITBY Blues Festival Acts.

In 2016, Sari first burst onto the Blues-Rock scene with her critically acclaimed debut album, A Force of Nature, produced by iconic British Blues pioneer Mike Vernon (David Bowie, Eric Clapton, John Mayall, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Green).

Now, two years later, Sari is breaking new ground with her sophomore album, Never Say Never. Sari insisted that the album be recorded live to capture the raw energy of her music. She has ventured deeper into her personal life. In the process, Sari has revealed herself with a vulnerability and honesty that she admits was as painful as it was healing. Her songs are highly crafted with vibrant lyrics that highlight just how good Sari is at invoking passion, grit, and empathy.

Sari’s success comes after years trudging the rugged road of life of the hard-working Blues woman. From her humble beginnings, working the music scene in the legendary fierce South Bronx of New York and on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, to a performance at Carnegie Hall, the operatically trained tornado stood her ground as a phenomenal Blues-Rock singer who would not be denied.

Sari’s home is her suitcase and her path has always taken her on the road less traveled. Her life is a story of never giving up, being true to yourself and pursuing your passions against all odds. It’s a story that is incredibly inspirational and a reminder why we should Never Say Never!

Dana Gillespie made her first record in 1964 and all these years later she is still recording, and released her 70th album at the end of 2019 called ‘Under My Bed’ for Ace Records. In the '70s she was the first Mary Magdalene in the West End musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and also worked with David Bowie as he wrote the song ‘Andy Warhol’ for her and she sang on his ‘Ziggy Stardust’ album. In the '60s and '70s she made many films but Blues music has always been her first love, and she considers herself as a song writer who sings! Her musicians are known as The London Blues Band and they are considered to be the cream of the London Blues scene.

Blues and soul become inextricably entwined in award-winning singer-songwriter, Kyla Brox, whose raw talent has seen her described as “the finest female blues singer of her generation”. Winner of the 2018 UK Blues Challenge, Kyla has the honour of representing the UK in Memphis at the 2019 International Blues Challenge, as well as the European event in the Azores. In a huge nod to her ongoing stature in British Blues, the UK Blues Federation made Kyla an official Ambassador of UK Blues in 2016 and she is one of only three British singers privileged to be included in the 50 Women of the Blues Spotify playlist.

Daughter of cult blues figure, Victor Brox, the Mancunian vocalist began her career as a teenager in her father’s band and has now honed her own sophisticated sound, as heard on her critically acclaimed 2016 album, Throw Away Your Blues and the scintillating, multi-faceted new 2019 album, Pain & Glory. Her voice; tender, urgent, gritty, blurring the distinction between pleasure and pain, mixed with the enchantingly fluent guitar work of Paul Farr, inspired bass playing of Danny Blomeley and in-the-pocket drumming of Mark Warburton, combine to make a unique and powerful, often joyous, always emotional experience.

Kyla also plays in duo form with her husband, virtuoso acoustic guitarist, Danny Blomeley, whose playing, by turns delicate and unrestrained, has earned him a following in his own right.

With many albums under her belt and many miles covered on the road, touring all over the world, Kyla Brox is widely regarded as one of the very best soul-blues singers the British Isles has ever produced.

The Cinelli Brothers

The Cinelli Brothers is a project born out of a common passion for the electric Chicago and Texas blues from the 60s and 70s, when Marco (guitarist, singer and composer) and Alessandro (drummer, backing vocalist and arranger) decided to form an explosive team showcasing original repertoire in the style of Chess, Stax and Motown.

After a series of successful shows around Europe (France, UK, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal), the band decided to take things to another level. Babe Please Set Your Alarm was recorded at the Soup Studio in London and the full live and analog recording was released in May 2018 on vinyl and digital format.

This album comprises original compositions as well as a few covers, such as ‘Chain of Fools’ or ‘Back Door Man’ – which stays true to Willie Dixon’s number, as well as Prince’s ‘Kiss’, in a remarkable shuffle rhythm.

The Cinelli Brothers champion a new generation of passionate musicians sharing in the love of Blues, Soul, R&B and the true authentic sounds that have made the blues a cornerstone of music history.

CONNER SELBY Selected to appear at Wembley Stadium supporting The Who, Kaiser Chiefs, Imelda May and Eddie Vedder in July 2019, Connor Selby is a rising star. Having already played a number of iconic venues such as the 100 Club and Borderline, and having clocked up numerous festival appearances, the young British bandleader-guitarist-vocalist writes his own songs and builds on influences as diverse as Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, and Nick Drake. With his soulful vocal style and his distinctive guitar playing that evokes the British blues boom of the 1960’s, Connor has consistently captivated audiences and is making a name for himself.

The Mojo Preachers are a five-piece, female fronted, boundary-pushing outfit, delivering hard-hitting original tunes; conjuring up a melodiously intricate, authentic yet unconventional sound. Think raw riffs, psychedelic waves, rooted rhythms & thought-provoking lyrics, all with an occasional touch of sweeping, soaring, musical emotion that only progressive blues can bring.

SOLID ENTERTAINMENTS Presents... WHITBY BLUES FESTIVAL