St Harmonica's Blues Club: Sonic Blue + Ray Wallen with Marco Bueno

It is always exciting to welcome a band to St Harmonica’s Blues Club for the first time, especially when your gut instinct tells you this is going to be good. Steve Brayne came to one of our jams a few months back and led a terrific set before giving us details of his band, Sonic Blue, and asking if there was any chance of a gig. The CD he gave us was first class and knowing that the band included Matt Withey, a great singer/guitarist and regular guest at the Leytonstone blues Jam, it was a no brainer and just needed a date to become available, which it has for this Friday,11th July.

Sonic Blue hail from South-East London; their set includes reinterpreted blues gems from the likes of Howling Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Sonny Boy Williamson, Freddie King and Bo Diddley, which come up sounding fresh and funky, plus a selection of hard-hitting original numbers from their recent album, SHAKE THE BLUES, which has received very positive reviews and blues radio plays.

“A refreshing blend of exquisitely performed classic and original songs. Sonic Blue are the real deal.” R&R Magazine album review

“Strongly recommended.” Blues In Britain album review

sonicblueband.bandcamp.com/album/shake-the-blues

Band members have collectively worked with artists such as Fairground Attraction, Graham Parker, Manfred Mann, Billie Bragg, The Dylan Band and with a history of festivals, clubs, TV, touring and recording. Consisting of Steve Brayne, vocals, harmonica, guitar, Matt Withey, guitar and vocals Simon Edwards, bass and Richard Marcangelo, drums, SONIC BLUE bring a wealth of experience and passion to the stage. You’ll see great vocals, slide guitar, harmonica and a super-tight rhythm section from these highly experienced musicians. Expect an evening of inspired playing and danceable grooves.

And don’t miss the support. We thought that Tinnitus meant that we had seen the last of the fabulous harmonica and vocal skills of the great Ray Wallen, but he is managing it and back playing. It was a pleasure to catch up with Ray recently and he brings guitarist Marco Bueno with him on Friday to kick the evening off at 8.30pm followed by two sets from Sonic Blue.

St Harmonica’s Blues Club is a members only club and admission is FREE to card carrying St Harmonica’s Blues Club members. You’ll need your green 2025 membership card for admission this Friday and you can buy this at the entrance on the night. Membership remains at just £10 for the year; thereafter, throughout 2025 admission is free to card carrying members to all Friday Blues evenings and Sunday jam nights. We just ask for a contribution into the hat towards the musicians’ costs.

We’ll see you there, promises to be a great night!

The team

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