Martin McNeill plays 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.
Aug 12: REMI BANKLYN
Remi is a singer and guitarist who excels at early Chicago-style electric blues. He came to London from Spain a while back and is carving out a niche for himself on the blues scene with solo and band gigs,
Aug 19: FRANCESCA SHAW
Francesca plays blues double bass with soul and passion. She gigs with numerous blues acts, including visiting US stars, and is a Green Bottle favourite.
Aug 26: LEWIS FIELDING
Lewis is wonderul guitarist who has played with many top blues acts. He was a sidekick of the much-missed Jerimiah Marques for many years. These days Lewis gigs regularly with Rollo Markee.
Sept 2: RUBY FLORENCE
Soulful blues and jazz singer. She has performed with Martin both as a duo and leading the Ruby Florence Band. Expect cool songs from great female singers including Bessie Smith, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin and Imelda May.
Sept 9: LAURIE GARMAN
A stalwart of the UK blues scene, harmonica player Laurie Garman first recorded with the band Key Largo in 1970 for Mike Vernon’s famous Blue Horizon label. He went on to gig or record with a long list of artists including Freddie King, Lightnin’ Slim, Alexis Korner, the Yardbirds – even Bob Marley and the Wailers. Many Essex blues fans will know Laurie from his days with Jerimiah Marques and the Blue Aces. Currently he plays with Mazza, the David Sinclair Four, Rollo Markee and Eddie Angel.
Sept 16: LIGHTNIN’ WILLIE (USA)
The American bluesman is touring the UK, including a headline spot at the Great British RnB Festival in Colne. When he came to the Green Bottle last year, Willie captivated the audience with his passionate vocals and cool guitar licks.
Sept 23: 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.
Sept 30: MISSISSIPPI MacDONALD
A welcome return for top UK bluesman Oli “Mississippi” MacDonald. From playing solo and leading his own band to collaborations with US acts like Hi Rhythm, Oli 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.
Oct 7: TBC
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.
Oct 28: TBC
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: TBC
Nov 18: TBC
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.
MARTIN McNEILL 