old news

25th July 2006

On Saturday 15th July I had a double-header at the Gillingham Festival in Gillingham, North Dorset. I played first with the Barrelhouse Blues Band with Paul Hart (guitar), Clive Ashley (sax) Mark Skerritt (piano) and Alan Edwards, and thoroughly enjoyed the band’s funky/spacey take on the blues. The Ben Waters Band topped the bill, with Clive, Ady Milward, Ben and me being joined by Pete Bettle on baritone sax, Lee Badeaux on tenor sax, Tony Farinha (guitar) and Ralph Cree (percussion). Ben and the band were on blazing form and the audience responded accordingly. Lee and Tony play regularly with bands like the Big Town Playboys and the Werewolves of London, but they were both blown away by the sheer energy produced by the Ben band. A great, great day.

On Sunday 30th July I’m playing with Barrelhouse Blues Band with special guest Bernie Marsden at the Sturminster Hall, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, the temporary home of the Barrelhouse Blues & Jazz Club. Bernie was Whitesnake’s long-time guitar hero (it took Steve Vai to replace him), composing some of their hits such as Fool For Your Lovin, and has also played with Babe Ruth, Ringo Starr and the Moody/Marsden Band. Tickets are £6 from the Sturminster Quest offices (tel. 01258 471456 between 10am -2 pm) and Wessex Photography. A percentage of the proceeds will go towards 'The Exchange,' Sturminster’s new centre for the arts.

We’ve got an unusual gig on Thursday 3rd August when The Ben Waters Band sails the seas as it provides the entertainment for a cruise in Poole Harbour. The three-hour event includes a fish supper and a firework display. Tickets are £20 from 01305 812775, and you’re advised to book early.

The Ben Waters Band sets off for the Great Woods Park Festival, Beausejour, Manitoba, Canada on Saturday 6th August for a ten-day jaunt (Details of the festival at www.greatwoodspark.com). We’re back in Blighty for a day, and then we’re off to Finland for our second weekend residency this year at Helsinki’s prestigious Storyville Happy Jazz Club. Rock’n’roll, eh?

My first gig back home is the second of the Ben Waters Band’s Poole Harbour cruises on 24th August, and it’s already sold out!

As usual, the Thursday night jam sessions continue at Finns, Westham Road, Weymouth. New and established bands and solo artists are encouraged to take to the stage, and there’s at least half a dozen bands out gigging now that started off playing a few numbers at these sessions. If you want to book yourself a slot, get down there before 9pm and have a word with me (or Tim Broad while I’m away). PA and backline is provided.

Chris Lonergan

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