Martin McNeill with great guests every Wednesday at the Green Bottle, 1 Rectory Grove, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2HA (upstairs at the Greedy Breakfast). Doors open 7pm, music from 7.30pm.
£7.50 entry (£10 for sessions with two guests). Just pay inside the bar – no advance tickets.
Sept 30: MISSISSIPPI MacDONALD solo
A welcome return for top UK bluesman Olly “Mississippi” MacDonald. From playing solo and leading his own band to collaborations with US acts like Hi Rhythm, Olly has become one of the busiest and most successful players around. He has won a clutch of honours in the UK Blues Awards and has a prolific recording career. Martin is away for this session.
Oct 7: WEST WESTON & FRANCESCA SHAW
Straight back from touring the US with Roger Daltrey, it’s a big welcome home for Leigh’s own West Weston. The best harmonica player in the country…probably. The wonderful Francesca Shaw is on double bass. £10 this week.
Oct 14: CONNOR SELBY solo
Green Bottle favourite Connor Selby is making a big name for himself on the UK and international blues scene both with his band and as a solo act. He recently toured Germany with Keb Mo. Martin is away for this session.
Oct 21: ERIN HARPE & JIM COUNTRYMAN (USA)
Erin Harpe is a rising star of the US blues scene, a great singer and fingerpicking guitarist drawing on classic Piedmont blues while keeping the music fresh with her own songs. She is touring the UK with her husband Jim Countryman on bass. Her latest album, Let the Mermaids Flirt with Me, is a tribute to Mississippi John Hurt. £10 this week.
Oct 28: MARTIN McNEILL solo
A chance for Martin dig deep into his solo repertoire, drawing on slide guitar masters like Fred McDowell, Muddy Waters, Elmore James and Ry Cooder. Plus some vintage soul songs and cool instrumentals.
Nov 4: CHRIS CORCORAN
Brilliant swing/blues guitarist, well-known to the Green Bottle crowd for his sessions with Martin and for fronting his own trio.
Nov 11: WEST WESTON & FRANCESCA SHAW
Another session with Green Bottle favourites West Weston (harmonica/vocals) and Francesca Shaw (upright bass). Two of the best players on the UK blues scene…who both happen to live in Leigh. * £10 this week.
Nov 18: TIM HUSKISSON
A welcome return for Tim Huskisson, a jazz pianist with a great feel for blues. Tim and Martin have been playing occasional gigs together for more than 20 years.
Nov 25: CONNOR SELBY
One of the brightest and most soulful young artists on the UK and international scene, Connor makes time to play the Green Bottle with Martin several times a year. He recently toured Germany with Keb Mo.
Dec 2: TBC
Nov 9: ELRY BLUE (Noel Gander and Gary Choules)
Blues, old-style r’n’b and a touch of country – Elry Blue are Noel Gander on guitar and vocals and Gary Choules on double bass. £10 this week.
