The TAJ MAHAL Trio June 25, 2005

With over 40 albums and countless collaborations to his credit, Taj Mahal is one of the recording industry?s most celebrated contemporary blues artists.
Now a legendary performer, songwriter, composer, and producer, Taj grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts in a home that appreciated sounds from around the globe. Listening to various music forms ? American Gospel, Caribbean, African, Latin, Cuban and Jazz ? he developed his own distinctive blend of Blues and World music.
A self-taught musician, Taj plays over 20 different instruments, including the National Steel and Dobro guitars.
Most notably, for more than 40 years, he has enraptured audiences with an extraordinary voice that ranges from gruff and gritty to smooth and sultry.
These days, Mahal has filtered his music back down to its purest essence. While he?s employed large bands in the past, today he?s bringing his music to the public in the trio format.
?Well, the trio takes me everywhere I want to go musically,? says Mahal. ?A lot of people were disappointed because I hadn?t been playing the guitar quite as much when I was using a larger group. So I felt like it was time to get that [guitar playing] back at the centre of what I?m doing.?
Asked if there is a basic message behind his music, Mahal has a lot to say. ?From my vantage point,? says the master musician, ?my music talks about individuals being responsible for their own happiness?.. A lot of people think that blues music is gonna bring you down. Well, my music will never do that.?
?The Taj Mahal Trio? featuring; Taj Mahal on guitar, piano and banjo, Bill Rich on bass and Kester Smith on drums, together, weave a sound that transcends societies ?isms? and speaks directly to the heart of the listener. Taj?s music resonates as true today, as it did in 1969. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes!
Support is now from Foy Vance - Second signing to Freshwater Hughes Management (after Joss Stone) is Belfast based soulful singer/songwriter FOY VANCE. Foy has a distinctive, cracked soulful voice and writes profound storytelling songs. He is fast building a reputation on the "live" acoustic circuit in London and has made several appearances at highly acclaimed venue, The Bedford in Balham, where he has become a firm favourite and where he has recently recorded and filmed a "live set" for independent release as an EP. Foy has also recently co-written 2 songs for the debut album by Universal's priority signing Beulah.
Early start, on stage 8.30pm