Shades of Blues

A major coup for Shades of Blues bringing the best Jumping, swinging, Jazzy Rhythm & Blues outfit in the land to St Albans for the very first time for a real live show experience - wholehearted, full-on, exhausting and unforgettable.

Rough, Tough and always Rocking, the legendary King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys' zany stage show sometimes belies the fact that here is the finest, most authentic Rhythm & Blues band ever to come from outside the USA. While remaining true to their swing, blues and jive roots, the band have developed into a formidable, all-conquering swing machine whose electric blue-suited all-action stage show is as much at home in the jazz, blues and swing festivals of Europe and the U.S.A. as in their home town of Birmingham. In fact, Atomic magazine of New York was moved to opine “To those who say that swing is a musical form best left to Americans, prepare to be proven wrong. This British combo is bullet-proof!”

"The hardest act to follow since the parting of the Red Sea" – Paul Jones BBC Radio 2

A welcome return to the club for Guy & the band showcasing their fantastic new Cd release - 'Living on credit' - a wry observation on living in this global world with it's current problems !

Born & raised in Pasadena, california now resident in London,UK Guy Tortora is a songwriter & performer of what people like to call Americana these days- a hard term to define depending on you are talking to ! But if to you it means original songs,well constructed and well performed,in some of the musical idioms that formed in the USA - Blues,Jazz,country,Folk & Roots - and also interpreting the work of other writers in these genres with depth and feeling,then you should check out hids work if you haven't already !

Guy is a guitar player of some accomplishment ,on both acoustic and electric guitars he plays finger style, and is a fine bottleneck and slide player.  His playing is not the flashy guitar-slinger style beloved of bluesrockers everywhere, but understated, and leaves room for the songs to make an impact. 

"As much understated soul as anyone has a right to expect . . . something of an undiscovered treasure"    Americana-UK

"What a way to start 2008! A new CD from the excellent Guy Tortora that shines out in the January gloom.  Make a resolution to buy (Living on Credit), it is more than worth the price . . . every track stands out."   Blues Matters magazine  

Featuring two St Albans based bands, Free drink voucher with every  

ticket !! .

 Fat Walters Band – Rockin’ to the beat of classic American good

 time Rhythm and Blues, the band mixes it up with a skilful blend of

famous and not-so-famous songs to really set the foot tapping and the

 joint jumping. Plaintive harmonica, scorching guitar and Will Walters'

warm vocals all combine to deliver fun and great style in equal measure.

 Dr Shades' Blues Band – Who are the mysterious, shady figures of

this now legendary band from The Ver Delta? ‘Dr Shades’ swing and

 groove their way through Blues standards and some more out of the way

 tunes for your entertainment.

The low ticket price and free drink voucher provided with every ticket sold kicks off the season of goodwill with a big thank you for everyone who has supported the St Albans Blues club ‘Shades of Blues’ over the last year.

Come on down & join the party – who knows what will happen ? !