Star winds up his bands
BLOATER'S BIG DECISION
by

Big Boy Bloater Big Boy Bloater is to wind up his own bands and tour with Mike Sanchez.

His six-piece band will play its last gig on December 20th in London.   The show will mark the end of Bloater's 16-year run fronting his own bands.   Also being mothballed is his blues band, the City Shakers, which has been together since 2003.   On December 22nd Bloater starts guesting with Mike Sanchez at a gig in Wolverhampton, followed by New Year tour dates together in Belgium and France.

Bloater told Planet Jive: "Much as I have enjoyed my time with the six-piece band it is time to move on.   I have taken it as far as I can.   It wasn't an agonising decision at all.   Lisa and I have been talking about it for a while.

"Mike and I have been discussing working together for a long time now and when I told him I was thinking of winding up my bands at the end of the year we felt it was the ideal opportunity for us to get together.   While I'm touring with Mike I will be working on a new album of my own and will be putting together my new 'live' project, which Mike is aware of.   We work very well together and we both have the same outlook (and the same experience of being band leaders which gives a unique perspective on things) so I am very excited about it.   We're going into the studio very soon to start rehearsing and writing some new material together."

Final gig

Bloater's six-piece band signs off on December 20th at the Hula Boogie Christmas Party in South London.   Venue is South London Pacific, 340 Kennington Road, London SE11 4LD.   Doors open at 7pm.   Tickets costs £10 and can be bought on the door or in advance at www.wegottickets.com   More info on 020 8672 5972

Organiser Julie "Miss Aloha" Miranda said: "I guess it's a coup for Hula Boogie and we're honoured to be hosting their last gig... but it was the luck of the draw more than anything.   I booked the band quite early in the year.   I'm not even sure if they had made that decision then.   I was honoured that they agreed to play when I booked them, but I'm sad that this the last time they will play.

"I hadn't seen the band perform for ages.   Bloater made a suprise guest appearance at Hula Boogie's Christmas Party last year when he got up and played with Little Victor who was the featured performer.   I realised then a lot of people hadn't seen them in London for a while so I booked them for this Christmas.

"I love what Bloater does, whatever guise it's in (solo, three-piece, six-piece), but everything has to change and grow with time.   Bloater is one of the best and he's going to join one of the best.   Who knows what magic is going come out of that?   I can't wait to see!"

Legends

Big Boy Bloater is one of the best known musicians on Britain's rockin' scene, famed for his authentic blues shouter vocals and whammy bar guitar playing in the style of Ike Turner.   He has toured in Europe, the Middle East and North America.   With his house bands at UK weekenders he has worked with a host of 50s legends including Nappy Brown, Tommy Brown, Wanda Jackson, Clarence Frogman Henry, H-Bomb Ferguson, Lloyd Price, Frankie Ford, Joe Houston, Jimmy McCracklin, Rosco Gordon.   He is in demand as a session musician and as a freelance sound engineer.

Whammy
Whammy! - the single
He has recorded at least five albums and played two sessions for Paul Jones' Rhythm'n'Blues Show on Radio 2 and two for Mark Lamarr's God's Jukebox show.   In 2008 Lamarr personally released Bloater's instrumental Whammy! as a seven-inch single.

Asked if he might one day relaunch his own band, Bloater said: "I have no negative feelings about the six-piece band and am sure we could be enticed to reform for the odd show here and there in the future but for now I am just looking forward to taking a break from the pressures of organising, running and leading two busy bands and cannot wait to get into my new projects, finally having the time and energy to work on them properly."

Bloater's wife Lisa, a mainstay of the six-piece band on tenor sax and vocals, added: "Thanks to everyone for their support for the last 16+ years.   It has been a blast but it is time for new pastures."



If it jumps, jives, bops or strolls we want to know about it.   or call 07833 703189.