Archives: Evenementen

Blues4Kids May, 17 and 24, 2022

If Corona makes it possible this time we will organize five blues performances on May 17 and 24 for about 250 students from groups 6, 7 and 8 from De Horn and De Wegwijzer by Big Bo Brocken and Vera van Faassen.

Blues musician Big Bo and partner Vera van Faassen developed in recent years BLUES 4 KIDS, A performance for youth organizations and schools. In a beautiful setting with atmospheric background images and old traditional musical instruments, Vera tells the story of Babou (11 years old) who was kidnapped from Africa and taken on a ship to New Orleans, USA. The boy was sold into slavery there and then made an awe-inspiring journey along the Mississippi River, where he was introduced to the origins of blues music, the cradle of virtually all the music we listen to today. Big Bo sings and plays the traditional songs and tells wonderful stories from the time of the Civil War, segregation in the South and the development of music in a time span of about 100 years (±1850-1950).

It became a great success! They enjoyed the performance, clapped along happily, and afterwards they walked back to their classrooms singing and dancing.

De Horn May 17, 2022.

De Wegwijzer May 24, 2022.

Without exception, these were compelling and impressive performances. The beautiful anecdotes and wonderful (sing-along) songs made the blues lessons instructive and complete.

The performances were made possible by a financial contribution from the Cultuurfonds Wijk bij Duurstede.

Student Comments.
“the blues at school was a fun experience”
“really cool to meet someone famous it was also really inspiring”
“an interesting story of a boy who had a life where there was a distinction between skin colors: brown, white and then still managed to keep his spirits up by singing songs”
“they kind of tell a story about racism and that it’s actually not nice at all”
“And that there was too much work that we should be glad that we live now and not then.
“was kind of sad that that boy was taken away from his parents”.
“Amazing how the man could play on those instruments and homemade guitars, fat to see”
“That man also translated it into Dutch, it was very nice”.
“…. Come on go on a journey with me, come on go on a journey with me, to the beautiful Wijk, that is where you belong…”

Photography Wim Robben. More pictures >>>>

BLUES NIGHT with RICHVILLE, KEVIN BURT (winner IBC 2018) and BLIND B’ & the VISIONAIRS

IF SOLD OUT, YOU CAN PUT YOURSELF ON THE WAITING LIST.
Last year, blues lovers Ruud and Etske Muis from Wijk met the American blues musicianKEVIN BURT. Earlier that year, Kevin won the prestigious International Blues Challenge in Memphis. “We would love to see them in the Calypso theatre one day”, the couple dreamed out loud, and back from the cruise they had a first talk with the guys from Blues in Wijk, who were also interested. With the help of Bluesther Music Agency, the time has finally come in October 2019. Kevin and his wife are coming to Europe for a first overseas tour, with a stop in our beautiful Wijk Calypso theatre on Saturday, October 19. Kevin will be accompanied by BLIND B’ & the VISIONAIRS, The crème de la crème of Dutch blues. Also the new Dutch blues sensation RICHVILLE is there to promote their then brand new CD. Tickets € 10,-


Richville is a new project by singer/guitarist Richard van Bergen and drummer J J Goossens. The music of the duo can be described as unpolished and stripped-down. Inspired by the period when the Blues switched from acoustic to electric. Richville is a mix of trance-like Delta Blues and funky New Orleans second-line rhythms. Blues was originally mainly dance music. Playing as a two-man band, Richville focuses on the essence of this powerful and timeless music: the groove! In the Tub Thumper studio of Bird Stevens, Richville recorded their debut CD. It will be released in September 2019 on Tub Thumper Records.

Kevin Burt was the big man of the night at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 2018, when he won the three awards he was eligible for: Solo / Duo, Best Solo / Duo Guitarist and the Lee Oskar Award for Best Harmonica Player. Kevin is a musician (vocals, harmonica and guitar) whose soft, warm vocal presentation creates a state of mind of relaxed excitement, with a welcome blend of serious music and infectious humour of all ages. Two of Kevin’s main influences are Bill Withers and Aaron Neville and he has the ability to build a great rapport with the audience with his soul-inspired presentation and natural stage presence.

FILM (TWO TRAINS RUNNIN) & BLUES (GUY VERLINDE TRIO)

In the summer of 1964, two groups of three white, music-loving young men independently travelled to Mississippi in search of blues legends Skip James and Son House. In a reconstruction of this search, the now grey-haired men tell their story. The search took place against the background of the bloody violence that accompanied the introduction of voting rights for blacks in the Deep South of America.  The film shows the important role music had and has in bridging the culturally determined gap and in driving social change. The interviews with the men are supplemented with testimonies of other contemporary and historical musicians and activists, with sometimes shocking archive footage and, of course, with lots of music. Two Trains Runnin’ reminds the viewer how fragile and hard-won the freedoms that are taken for granted are and are now under pressure again.

The film is interspersed with live performances by Belgian/Dutch trio Guy Verlinde, known for his stomping band The Mighty Gators, with whom he was a welcome guest on European blues stages. But the Gators have disbanded and Verlinde has taken a different path: acoustic blues & roots with personal lyrics. Tonight, with Richard van Bergen (guitar) and Oliver Vander Bauwede (harmonica, guitar), he will perform songs from his new record All Is Forgiven (2019). Expect dreamy fingerpicking, acoustic slide guitar, a harmonica and (f)listening songs that grab you by the throat!

LAZY SUNDAY AFTERNOON BLUES

Theatre Calypso, Markt 4, Wijk bij Duurstede. 16.00-20.00 hrs. Free admission.
THE VAULTS, BASIC STATION and CHARLES ADRIAN SESSIONS
Three bluesbands from the region who will play tasty blues on stage for 4 hours. Around 6 o’clock tasty snacks will also be available. Free admission.

Blues walk

The Wijkse city night walks from pub Ome Ko are a great success. On 25 October there will be one especially for blues lovers. Participation is restricted to friends & sponsors. Registration via info@bluesinwijk.nl 

Afterwards blues concert by the South African band Dan Patlansky in pub Ome Ko. Blueswalkers visit this concert with a discount on the entrance fee.

Blueswalk Saturday, October 25 especially for the friends & sponsors of BluesinWijk

On Saturday, October 25th, BluesinWijk and café Ome Ko will organize a fantastic Wijkse Blues walk with guide Martijn Pastoors. This walk is offered especially for the friends & sponsors of BluesinWijk. The walk will start at 7pm at café Ome Ko, there we will first eat soup and French bread with of course witches cheese on it. With torches in our hands we will walk into the city centre. Would you like to learn more about the rich history of Wijk in a fun, loose and special way? Then you should definitely come along… Special historical facts and trivia supplemented with real Wijk lore stories about secret medieval tunnels, hidden cemeteries, a real poisoner, Wijk witches etc etc… A beautiful experience by torchlight. After the walk, Dan Patlansky’s South African band will surprise us with a blues concert at Ome Ko. Start of the concert approx. 22.00 hrs. He is touring all over Western Europe to present his new cd. Highly recommended. Participation in the walk in combination with the concert is only for friends & sponsors for €15,-. Friends & sponsors of BluesinWijk will receive a link via email to order these tickets. Don’t delay, subscribe quickly because the tickets are selling fast again and only 50 blueslovers can join the walk. Tickets for just the concert of Dan Patlansky (€7,50 excl. service costs) can be ordered via www.bluesinwijk.nl.

BAS PAARDEKOOPER IN LANGBROEK

Saturday 27 April 2013

Village hall Langbroek

BAS PAARDEKOOPER and the Blew Crue (21.00 hours).

support act Jasper Lagemaat & Doghouse (20.00 hours)

tickets € 12,50 (excl. service costs) via ticketscript and Village hall Langbroek and canteen SVL in Langbroek.

 

21.00 hours

Saturday night April 27th 2013 we organise together with the Village Hall in Langbroek a fantastic blues night. We have invited the band of Bas Paardekooper contracted. We saw Bas and his friends in December 2009 in Wijk at work in theatre Calypso. An impressive blues evening with then still young American guitar talent Eric Steckel present. Look here …. We had Bas on our wish list again for quite some time. This time not in the Calypso but in Langbroek.

Bas Paardekooper and the Blew Crue was founded in 2007. Frontman Bas Paardekooper (1981), inspired after hearing Jimi Hendrix’ “Hey Joe”, taught himself the rudiments of guitar playing at the age of eleven. Supported by his parents, Bas developed his playing and grew a passion for the instrument that is now inextricably linked to the name “Bas Paardekooper”. With the music of Hendrix as his first lesson material, it was inevitable that Bas would later develop into a blues rock guitarist. However, it took a number of years and various bands before he could fully focus on playing the type of music that, as many will agree, “was written for him”. After a friend urged Bas to start his own band, it didn’t take long before the line-up of what would eventually become “the Blew Crue” was ready. Within no time Bas wrote the first songs of which six were eventually released on the EP ‘Hang On To Tomorrow’ (2008). Live, their own work was complemented by covers of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Walter Trout, Joe Bonamassa and (of course) Jimi Hendrix. From their first performance, Bas and Crue’s pleasure and dedication radiated from the stage. After the release of their first official album ‘The Blues On My Side’ (2010), the band got into a whole new wave. The album contains 10 original songs, all written by Bas, and shows a band that, after a few years of playing together, is able to perform not only the standard three-chord blues-scheme, but also more complex compositions. During this period the band played many gigs, which only made them closer and tighter and put the name Bas Paardekooper and the Blew Crue on the map for good in the Netherlands, large parts of Germany and Belgium and even in England, the United States and Russia. Meanwhile, the band has released its third album, entitled ‘Broken Heart For Sale’ (2012), which raises the musical bar again. All corners of blues rock are explored on this album. A number of tracks are provided with rich arrangements and polyphonic vocals that give the songs an almost symphonic character, but always leave enough space for the incomparable guitar playing of Paardekooper. The release of ‘Broken Heart For Sale’ took place on 20 December 2012 in a tightly packed ‘Boerderij’ in Zoetermeer. A venue where the band has performed on a regular basis and where Bas experienced a personal highlight as “special guest” during a Walter Trout gig. The band can still be found in their rehearsal and recording studio at least twice a week, regardless of the number of gigs, because as they say themselves: “There’s always a song we can play even better with some practice, there’s always a song that needs to be finished and there’s always a song we need to think of”. But most of all, Bas Paardekooper and the Blew Crue are “on the road”, where they still play every show with as much pleasure and dedication as their first one, almost six years ago. The band consists of:

Bas Paardekooper (Gitar and vocals)
André de Bruijn (Bass gitar and vocals)
Roel van Leeuwen (Drums and vocals)
Wouter Hoek (keyboard and vocals)

20.00 HOURS SUPPORT-ACT

DOGHOUSE

 Young Wijks bluesrock-talent in BLUESinLANGBROEK

 

BLUESinWIJK likes to give young blues talents the opportunity to gain the necessary stage experience. One such talent is 21 year old blues rocker Jasper LAGEMAAT from Wijk. Jasper has already played for BluesinWijk with the hard-blues rock band The Pillars. At their performance on Queen’s Day 2012, Jasper surprised a full Market Square with a beautiful Wilhemus guitar solo. Meanwhile, he is studying at the Arts & Entertainment college in Amsterdam. There he formed another band, with which he focuses more on blues than on rock. The band is called DOGHOUSE and consists of Jasper, Bram Jansen (the Pillars) behind the drums, Luuk Verheijden on bass guitar and Shawnee Erfmann as vocalist. Saturday night 27 April Jasper and his band will get all the space they need to show and hear what they are capable of. They play from 20.00 hours as support-act of Bas Paardekooper.

JASPER LAGEMAAT

BERNARD ALLISON

Unfortunately, due to the Crorona crisis, Bernard Allison’s concert cannot take place either. We are working on a new date in spring during the new EU tour in spring 2021, probably 5 March 2021.

Theatre Calypso, Markt 4, Wijk bij Duurstede. Starts at 20.00 hrs. E-tickets (excl. service fee) can be bought via the ticket button on top of this page. Tickets without service charges for sale at van Ginkel Muziek, Achterstraat 1, Wijk bij Duurstede. Tel: 0343-574522.

Born in Chicago in 1965 Bernard Allison is the son of blues guitarist Luther Allison. The blues was brought up in Bernard from an early age. He listened to his father’s records, accompanied him to blues festivals in the early 70s and got to know greats like Muddy Waters, Hound Dog Taylor and Albert King. Bernard teaches himself to play the guitar and in 1983, he performs with his father at the Chicago Blues Festival. After high school he toured with Koko Taylor’s band, but also had his own band Bernard Allison And Black Talk. In 1989, he joined his father’s touring band. The current band consists of Bernard Allison (guitar & vocals), Dylan Salfer (guitar), George Moye (drums) and Jose James (sax & percussion).

BluesPubTour 2019

Hopping from pub to pub.

Saturday, November 30, 2019 the pubs in the city center of Wijk will be filled with the blues again. For the 9th times Foundation Blues in Wijk and the hospitality industry together organize the now traditional Wijk BluesPubTour. Since the first edition in 2010, this blues event has been a great success with about 1200 visitors from Wijk and the surrounding area. Blues fans experience the variety of blues styles, relaxed atmosphere, and short walking distances as particularly attractive. The festival opens at half past two in the E&E Retirement home, at four o’clock café de Vaert and theatre Calypso take over, and from six o’clock onwards one can eat in five restaurants with a blues concert. After dinner, it continues at 8 pm in the Calypso theatre and De Engel and from 9 pm onwards, the pubs also start to get into full swing with blues bands until deep into the night. During the day, blues on the town carillon. So there is plenty to do. More information on www.bluesinwijk.nl. In all participating pubs and restaurants you will find flyers with playing times and a map. Admission is free.

Blues in the afternoon. The blues pub tour kicks off at 14.30 with a performance by Gumbo & the Monk in the grand café of the E&E Retirement Home. For years a cheerful, successful and fun afternoon, where the elderly of Wijk bij Duurstede sing along, clap and even dance. Afterwards, from 16.00 hours, the Muddy Waters Tribute Band will perform in the Calypso theatre.


E&E Gasthuis 2018

Blues during dinner. Between 18.00 and 21.00 it is time for the inner man. At five places, you can combine food and blues. Sweet Mary Jane plays at Café Ome Ko, Gumbo & the Monk at Mazi Mas, Robbert Duijf at Pepe’s Cucina, Dave and Janne of the Dave Warmerdam Band play for an hour at de Engel and at the Veldpoort there is an extra long performance (until 22.00 hrs) by The Bluetails.


Blues bij Mazi Mas 2018

Blues in the evening.
From 20.00 hrs Ralph de Jongh XL ft Ruben Hoeke in theatre Calypso and then from 21.00 hrs the evening programme starts in the cafés. Within a radius of less than 500 metres there are six cafés. Around 21.00 hours, the Dave Warmerdam Band in De Engel will expand to a full band and in café ‘t Hoff, Talking Blues & the Delta Ladiesnight will kick off. After ten o’clock the Rumble Rousers will rock ‘n’ roll, swing, rockabilly and blues in café de Vaert, the Detonics will play in café BijDie2, the Hoodoo Monks in Eethuys Dorestad and café Ome Ko the Stef Paglia Trio (B).

Blues in the night. 
After midnight, the blues continues until about one o’clock in cafés de Vaert, BijDie2 and Ome Ko. In the Pakhuis, the roof comes off at twelve with the Ray Stepien Trio. They close the pub crawl with solid and steaming blues.

Closing times of pubs.
For all pubs and restaurants, the rule is that you can enter until 01.30, after which the door closes. Inside is inside, you can get out whenever you want, but hopping from pub to pub is then over.

PROGRAM:

14.30-16.00 E&E Retirement home               Gumbo and the Monk

16.00-18.00 de Vaert                         Rude Mood Blues Band

16.00-18.00 theatre Calypso            Muddy Waters Tribute

18.00-21.00 Pepe’s                          Robbert Duijf

18.00-21.30 Ome Ko                        Sweet Mary Jane

18.00-22.00 Veldpoort                     The Bluetails

19.00-22.00 Mazi Mas                     Gumbo and the Monk

20.00-22.00 theatre Calypso           Ralph de Jongh XXL ft Ruben Hoeke

20.00-23.00 De Engel                      Dave Warmerdam Band

21.00-01.00 ‘t Hoff                          Talking Blues & Delta Ladies

22.00-01.00 de Vaert                       The Rumble Rousers

22.00-01.00 BijDie2                         The Detonics

22.00-24.00 Dorestad                      Hoodoo Monks

22.30-01.00 Ome Ko                        Stef Paglia trio

24.00-02.00 Pakhuis                        Ray Stepien trio

Gumbo and the Monk.  E&E Retirement home, Gansfortstraat 4. 14.30-16.00 uur and Greek Restaurant Mazi Mas, Klooster Leuterstraat 20.  19.00-22.00 uur

Gumbo and the Monk will kick off the blues pub crawl in the Ewout and Elisabeth Retirement home. It is a duo consisting of Fabian Schrama and Servaas Bollen. Both play guitar and vocals. In 2018 they were in the finals of the Dutch Blues Challenge with a raw sound of the Mississippi Delta Blues. They do this on handmade instruments like the Cigar Box and manage to captivate and engage the audience.

Muddy Waters Tribute Band. Theatre Calypso Markt 4. 16.00-18.00 uur.

The band was founded in 2016 by Robert Fossen, well known in the blues world. He won the Dutch Blues Challenge in 2012 and 2016 and in 2014 he received a Dutch Blues Award.  This year, as part of the 60th anniversary of the song “Hoochie Coochie Man” by Muddy Waters, they are doing the Hoochie Coochie Tour. This 6-piece band may be a tribute band, but with their own sound and their primary goal is to keep the music of Muddy Waters alive and honoured. Band members: Robbert Fossen vocals and guitar, Lothar Wijnvoord guitar, Ivan Schilder piano, harmonica, Lars Hoogland drums, Dirk Wagensveld bass and Thomas Toussaint harmonica (Dutch Blues Award in 2016).

The Rude Mood Blues Band. Pub de Vaert, Maleborduurstraat 11.  16.00-18.00 uur. 

An all-round blues band with Martine on vocals, Wim on guitar, Michiel on bass and Marco on drums. They have been ‘on the road’ for about 30 years now, performing in just about every blues bar between Goes and Delfzijl, at various festivals, for motor clubs and in a prison. Exactly ten years ago, their first guitarist and good friend Gerrit-Jan Evers died and with this performance they want to pay tribute to him and commemorate him.

Robbert Duijf.  Pepe’s Cucina, Peperstraat 38A. 18.00-21.00 uur.

At first glance, Robbert looks like a troubadour with his beard and inseparable cap, but he is anything but. During the Dutch Blues Challenge earlier this year, he was bursting with emotion. He became the winner in the category “solo artists” and will go to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, America in January. Robbert has a powerful, full voice and his guitar playing does not lie. In March this year, he released his first solo album. It is definitely worthwhile to pay him a visit at Restaurant Pépé’s.

Sweet Mary Jane. Pub Ome Ko, Maleborduurstraat 9. 18.00-21.30 uur.

Frontman Fred van Willigen takes his fellow musicians, Ton Boekelman on bass & vocals and Lars van der Weiden on drums & vocals, in tow and it would be odd if the audience did not join in. The feet will be on the floor!  These seasoned musicians have been welcome guests on stages throughout the Netherlands.  The men are not surprised by a little gene more or less.  Some of the names of the artists that come along include the Irish heroes Rory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy and Gary Moore, but also Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Bobby “Blue” Band, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton are in the repertoire. Their approach is simple: ‘all you can eat’! Delicious blues in the true sense of the word as it might have sounded in the Mississippi delta.

The Bluetails. Veldpoort eat and drink, Veldpoortstraat 21. 18.00-22.00 uur.

A Rotterdam blues trio, that had to cancel last year at the last minute in the Veldpoort, but they are back.  They play Chicago Delta Blues. With quiet songs, like ‘Going to California’, they know how to create a relaxed atmosphere in bars and restaurants. The Bluetails consist of: Dave Wessels on drums, Henk Wessels on bass and Alex Jr. on guitar and vocals.

Ralph de Jongh XL ft Ruben Hoeke. Theatre Calypso, Markt 4. 20.00-22.00 uur.

Ralph de Jongh has been a sensation in the Dutch blues scene for years. Not only to hear, but also to see. He plays with a relentless and amazing energy that comes from every pore of his body. Every performance invariably turns into a great blues party. Moreover, he produces an inimitable amount of CDs with the most intense music.  Ralph comes to Wijk with the 8-man XL formation with Arie Verhaar on drums, Rogier Hemmes on bass, including blazers (Joost Verbraak en Arend Bouwmeester), Ylvalie Dik and Moon Anderson backing vocals en special guest none other than guitar virtuoso Ruben Hoeke. A full stage, but nobody gets in each other’s way, it’s always good and never the same.

Dave Warmerdam band. Restaurant de Engel, Markt 26.  20.00-23.00 hours.

Do you want to enjoy contemporary renditions of old blues classics, played from an innovative Blues vision with a touch of jazz and funk?  Are you in for new styles and atmospheres captured in own songs of an extremely high quality?  Then you’ve come to the right place with Dave and his band in De Engel. They start acoustically in a small line-up: Janne Timmer sings her own songs with a voice like Janis Joplin’s and the same great empathy and inspiration. Phenomenal. Accompanied by Dave (winner of the Dutch Blues Challenge 2016) on the electric piano and Hammond organ it is a wonderful musical feast for the ears. When the band, complemented by drummer Rick van der Voort, Lars Hoogland on bass, together responsible for the delicious groove of the band and virtuoso guitarist Sonny Ray in the second set goes loose, we think De Engel is too small to accommodate all fans. The band won the Dutch Blues Challenge 2019 last month. On January 10 they are back in Wijk, then in theatre Calypso.

Talkin’  Blues & Delta Ladies. Pub ’t Hoff, Markt 15A. 21.00-01.00 hours.

The band was founded in 2015, after they gave a one-off performance at the festival “Jazz in de Gracht” in The Hague. This performance was so well received that they were asked for other festivals and now they draw crowds everywhere with their uplifting blues and blues rock. They especially want to keep the memory of B.B. King alive but also play a wide range of blues songs. Starting this year, they are vocally supported on the larger stages by the Delta Ladies Jane Goulding, Jennifer Trel and Diana ten Berge. Band members: Peter Langerak guitar and vocals, Tjaart Venema keyboards and vocals, Paul Robert bass and vocals, Sammy de Fretes drums and Tom Moerenhout from Wijk as a guest on sax.

The Rumble Rousers.  Pub de Vaert, Maleborduurstraat 11. 22.00-01.00 uur.

A real rockabilly formation in the tradition of the fifties with only one goal in mind: playing nice and fat Rock ‘n Roll with a repertoire that is full of great hits from the past.  With a broad repertoire of Rock ‘n Roll, Rockabilly and Surf covers they bring a surprisingly varied evening filling performance.  A feast of recognition for every older lover! For young people a wonderful introduction to the music where their parents went wild. The Rumble Rousers are: Arjan, guitar and vocals, Harry, double bass and backing vocals and Wilfred on drums.  They are no strangers to the Dutch rock ‘n roll and rockabilly scene.  As they say themselves: “We don’t write biographies, we play Rock ‘n Roll”! That’s why The Rumble Rousers are a band for many occasions: Do you want to swing? Then find them at Café De Vaert during the blues pub crawl and go crazy!

The Detonics. Pub Bij Die 2, Veldpoortstraat 16.  22.00-01.00 hours.

A fantastic blues band. In 2016 they won the Dutch Blues Challenge and in 2017 they reached the semi-finals in Memphis. You have to be in good shape to make it that far. They play blues inspired by the early Westcoast blues, it’s mostly Swing and Boogie with excursions to Rumba or slow blues. With their “detonic” blues they give steaming performances time and time again. Kars van Nus, vocals and bluesharp, Raymond Nijenhuis, guitar, Raimond de Nijs, piano/hammond, Mathijs Roks, drums, René Leijtens, bass and backing vocals. Detonics are ready to rock!

Hoodoo Monks. Eethuys Dorestad, Markt 11B.  22.00-24.00 hours.

We have had them in Wijk before, simply because they are such a fine energetic act. Initially a duo, since 2015 with the three of them. Guitarist Benito Berndsen (BB Burnette), drummer Peter van der Zanden (Pit Maypole) and frontman Erik van Tilburg (Papa T) who takes care of the vocals and the harmonica. Last year they had to skip the Kroegentocht because of personal circumstances of Erik, but they are back and how! The trio keeps up a good pace during their performances. Van Tilburg almost blows his harp to pieces, Maypole beats his drums and Benito follows everything with his tight guitar work. So it’s great to see these energetic men at work.

Stef Paglia Trio. Pub Ome Ko, Maleborduurstraat 9.  22.30-01.00 hours.

Stef is the singer and guitarist of this band with his name. Stef is also known as the talented guitarist of the Belgian Bluesbones. Now also with his own band and with great success. Together with Geert Schuurmans on bass and Sven Bloemen on drums, they play unparalleled blues rock. This trio brings the blues under the motto: that will bring a smile on your face. And it’s true, too.

Ray Stepien Trio. Eat and Drink het Pakhuis, Maleborduurstraat 7. 24.00-02.00 uur.

We saw them in October at the final of the Dutch Blues Challenge: what an energy! A guitarist, female bassist and a drummer, that’s all you need for unadulterated blues rock! Ray Stepien is, considering his age, already a gifted guitarist and influences of a.o. Joe Bonamassa and Johnny Winter are clearly audible. Apart from their own songs, they also play covers of Jimmy Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Mayer, etc., etc. A must see, so from midnight onwards everyone to the Pakhuis. Band members: Ray Stepien guitar and vocals, Joni Houtman bass and Daan van der Vors drums.

For a full report (Anton Rekké) with pictures (Willem van de Kraats, Joop Kuyvenhoven en Wim Robben) from ten whole day click here.

RYAN MCGARVEY Castle Duurstede

We did it……… RYAN MCGARVEY back in Wijk with a unique acoustic concert at the castle as part of his European tour 2014

The opportunity suddenly presented itself to bring the American blues talent to Wijk again, and of course we were not going to let it slip away. Together with Kasteel Duurstede we could quickly arrange an extra concert in the bandstand for Sunday afternoon August 24. Ryan himself was also excited to play at a castle location and decided to make it an acoustic performance. The only one in Europe this year! So Sunday, August 24th, a truly fantastic blues act at a great location. Start 15.00 hours, entrance € 10,-. E-tickets can be bought here or at Castle Duurstede (Open in the afternoon)

RYAN MACGARVEY BECAME A HUGE SUCCESS
MORE THAN 200 VISITORS
A LOVELY SUNSHINE
AN EXCELLENT CONCERT
A GUITAR VIRTUOSO OF WORLD CLASS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD!
BELOW SOME PICTURES AND REACTIONS.

OP ONS YOUTUBE CHANNEL A PIECE OF HIS PERFORMANCE AND ON PINTEREST MORE PICTURES.

AD/UN 25 August

BLUESZINE: Exactly 44 years ago, the renowned blues band Canned Heat made a film recording in the courtyard of the Castle in Wijk bij Duurstede, after that some music groups occasionally visited the beautifully restored music pavilion, but now the Blues at the Castle revived with a beautiful intimate acoustic performance by Ryan McGarvey and his band. In the pavilion itself, the 50 cute white folding chairs that are normally used for weddings were occupied and around them, standing Blues music lovers were well represented, some of them enjoying the show with their eyes closed. The weather was cooperative and the surroundings are a very suitable place for subdued music. Those who know Ryan from his festival gigs know that he is quite accomplished with his 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar, backed up by a big Marshall amplifier. Now there was just his voice and an acoustic guitar, a drummer who was allowed to gently tap on a towel-covered snare and a bassist who was not allowed to turn up his amplifier any louder than position 2. The audience enjoyed themselves, rocked back and forth, and a few dared to dance. The disadvantage of an acoustic guitar through P.A. amplification is that it doesn’t “sing” as much as an electric one like the one mentioned above, especially when a battery of effects are used. If the solos are not highlighted, it remains a bit flat, but maybe this was the intention. The tension only came at the end with an instrumental as encore in which “Killin’In The Name” of Rage Against The Machine was recognizable, funny that nobody sang the accompanying text “F*ck you, i won’t do what you tell me”. After this success, organizer BluesInWijk is definitely planning to continue with the Castle Sessions. For further activities of this blues club see www.bluesinwijk.nl/en

DITISWIJK: Yesterday afternoon, the bandstand at the Castle was the setting for a unique performance by American blues great Ryan McGarvey. The performance was especially unique because McGarvey made it the only acoustic concert in Europe during his tour. The entourage of the castle, the park and the intimate bandstand were perfect for this. The 200 visitors enjoyed it to the full. If there had been a roof over the castle grounds, it would certainly have come off. That is how deeply this blues singer and guitar virtuoso touched the audience in a programme that lasted two hours. The audience got value for money. It was a varied show of blues, blues-rock and beautiful instrumental songs in which he put his heart and soul into the guitar. The weather gods were also well aware of Ryan McGarvey’s performance. In the early afternoon, we still had to deal with very heavy showers, but the closer it got to 15:00, the more it cleared up. During the concert, not a drop fell and the further the concert progressed, the more exuberant even the sun started shining. After the concert, he also took his time for a chat with the visitors, took photos with everyone who wanted one and signed his CDs that were sold. Ryan McGarvey fell in love with the guitar and the blues at a young age. He turned out to be a real talent. His home state of New Mexico (USA) named him blues act of the year several times and at the “Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010” he was the best of the 3000 participants. He was 24 when he first came to the Netherlands. Many blues lovers, bookers, agents and festival programmers were amazed. This had never happened to them before. We were there and booked the band as the opening act for the 2011 blues pub tour and everyone in Wijk was speechless. The road to Europe was open and from that moment on Ryan tours here every year for a few months, according to organizer Blues in Wijk. In 2013, he was voted the biggest guitar talent and from that moment on, he was mentioned in the same breath as guitar greats such as Slash (Guns ‘n Roses), Joe Bonamassa and Eric Clapton. Together with Kasteel Duurstede, Blues in Wijk has organized an afternoon that will not be forgotten.

VISITORS ON FACEBOOK: 

Intimate concert of Ryan McGarvey at beautiful location, thanks Bluesin Wijk!

With the acoustic performance of Ryan McGarvey, in the bandstand at Castle Duurstede, BluesinWijk may add a very successful afternoon to the list of blues performances in Wijk.

Thanks to the organization for the beautiful performance of Ryan McGarvey, I enjoyed it very much.

Enjoyed Ryan McGarvey, the sunshine and the beautiful entourage of the castle in Wijk bij Duurstede

Seen and heard an excellent acoustic session by Ryan McGarvey in a fantastic location. He (and his band) more than lived up to his international status yesterday. Maybe the start of something beautiful on the castle grounds?

A memorable performance! Hopefully to be repeated at this special location. Like Wim, I was also bothered by a notorious “talker”, especially at such an intimate concert as this is a pity. When I asked him to stop doing that, he politely replied that he wasn’t going to. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed it!

It was super!
I loved it!
It was great BiW! Thank you!!!!
Fantastic concert! Had a great afternoon!
Just amazing how he did “Mystic Dream” for example. Pure class how he knew how to engage the audience from the beginning to the end! Bluesin Wijk thanks for the good organization!
It was really super what a great guitarist it was really quiet.
It was a fantastic performance and so well organized bij Blues in Wijk! Compliments!!
Hats off to Bluesin Wijk for their exceptional organization and also their hospitality. This, combined with Ryan McGarvey performing in such a great location made this a great/succesful day for everyone who was there.

In any case, we went to see Ryan McGarvey last Sunday (from Culemborg Blues) at the Castle – WOW! – We were the first ones there and because I can’t stand that long we sat down in the bandstand – on top of the build-up and soundcheck area – during the concert we could follow exactly what was happening – unbelievable, how good and beautiful!!! We were home in Leeuwarden very late in the evening, but it was more than worth it!!! Thanks, Bluesin Wijk !!!!!

Absolutely great! Band, location, organisation and even the predicted bad weather didn’t come. And Ryan was in top form.

 LAZYSUNDAYBLUES

Ryan McGarvey fell in love with the guitar and the blues at an early age. He turned out to be a real talent. His home state New Mexico (USA) voted him blues act of the year several times and at the “Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010”, he was the best of the 3000 participants. He was 24 when he first came to the Netherlands. Many blues lovers, bookers, agents and festival programmers were amazed. This had never happened to them before. We were there and booked the band as the opening act for the 2011 blues pub tour and everyone in Wijk was speechless. The road to Europe was open and from that moment on, Ryan has been touring here for a few months every year.

WIJKSE COURANT 13 August 2014

AD/UN 20 August 2014 by Wim van Amerongen

Blues at the Castle with the Doors in concert and Damned&Dirty

Blues in Wijk and Castle Cultural join forces again on Sunday 29 July to provide a wonderful musical afternoon. After the earlier successes of ‘Woodstock’, ‘Clapton Blues’ and ‘Stones & Blues’, this year the music of the Doors will take centre stage at the beautiful location of Castle Duurstede. (The Doors in Concert) and of course a fantastic blues trio (the Damned and Dirty) in the bandstand. Around two o’clock, the castle gate opens and we can enjoy a wonderful afternoon of top music. Blues-DJ Jos du Floo of radio Regio90.NL Highstreet Jazz & Blues’ radio programme plays tasty blues music in between the activities. The castle’s chefs will be on hand with tasty snacks. Castle Duurstede, Langs de Wal 6, 3961 AB Wijk bij Duurstede.  

SOLD OUT.

Fotocredits: ‘The Doors in Concert’ Emile Vrolijk

Go back in time with The Doors in Concert, an authentic tribute to the psychedelic rock band The Doors. The Doors were notorious for their energetic and unpredictable live shows, especially because of the charismatic Jim Morrison. This is what The Doors in Concert recreate at their shows. They use exactly the same instruments as The Doors did back then, such as the Vox Continental, Gibson G-101 and the Gibson SG. Naturally, the keyboardist plays the bass parts with his left hand on a historically correct Fender Rhodes Piano Bass with silver or gold top, just like Ray Manzarek. In addition, the band uses old Fender amplifiers and original microphones. Thus, the sound is almost identical to the sound of the original band. Furthermore, they have the right looks and the right energy to give an impressive live show. Band members: Danny van Veldhuizen (vocals); Willem Vonhof (keyboards); Bobby Baudoin (percussion) and Jim Zwinselman (guitar). Video Website

 

Fotocredits: ‘ ‘The Damned and Dirty’ Herbert van der Beek

The Damned and Dirty, Kevin de Harde and Micha Sprenger, joined by Erwin Palper on drums, is one of the most exciting and innovative acts in the roots tradition. They emphasize catchy songs with alternately dark and sharp lyrics with a big bucket of soul. The sound is raw and compelling in every way. Their English is American as if it belongs there. The Damned and Dirty write all their own songs and have already produced 5 albums. In 2013, they released their second album ‘Sell Your Soul’. Their third album ‘Rolling Into Town’ was presented in pop temple Paradiso in November 2014. ‘Hoodoo Down’ followed in 2015, featuring more diverse musical styles and guest musicians. No less than three albums were awarded with an Award for ‘Best Dutch Blues Album’ from the Dutch Blues Foundation, something no other band in the Netherlands can claim. Video Website

     

Castle Duurstede Wijk bij Duurstede. Photo April 2018 by Maarten Verpoort

BLUESCRUISE

With RICHARD van BERGEN & FRIENDS.

The Salvinia of shipping company Feenstra is moored in the harbour.

address: Wijk bij Duurstede, Havenweg, postcode 3961.

Entrance from 13.00 hours, departure 13.30 hours, return 19.30 uur.

Be on time, it is NOT possible to get on the boat en route.

The cruise is sold out, without ticket no entrance. 

Parking is free at one of the car parks in the harbour.

On board: lift, toilets, cloakroom, bar and plenty of seating.

Smoking only on the aft deck.

Buffet opened from 16:00.

It is not possible to withdraw money on board.

 Call info: +31621132560. 

BLUESCRUISE IS HERE TO STAY

BY ED MAGIELSE WWW.DITISWIJK.NL

Wijk bij Duurstede, 19 October 2015. 

Last sunday afternoon it was time again for the blues lovers from Wijk bij Duurstede and surroundings. The Bluescruise was on the program again. This event is getting more and more popular and therefore this edition of the Bluescruise was sold out and the Salvinia departed with 270 fans towards Wageningen. In Wageningen the ship turned around and sailed back to Wijk bij Duurstede.

Topniveau

Meanwhile, from 13:30 to 19:30, the guests present were treated to top-level blues. A band that played the whole afternoon and the evening before in changing line-ups, led by Richard van Bergen, made it a big happening. The occasional band had the appropriate name, Richard van Bergen & Friends and consisted of Rootbag (the band of Richard) and Sunset Travellers. It should also be noted that Rootbag (band), Richard van Bergen (guitar), Roelof Klijn (bass) and Jody van Ooijen (drums) have been nominated for the Dutch Blues Awards 2015. That the audience was served up top blues was noticeable in everything. The atmosphere and the enthusiasm created a beautiful entourage on board the Salvinia. And if the audience was looking for a moment of rest, they could get a breath of fresh air on the afterdeck and enjoy the nature on the banks of the Rhine.

Buffet

Of course, listening, dancing and singing along with the down-home blues and New Orleans Grooves made people hungry. Here, too, the audience and musicians were well catered for, as a hot buffet was set up at 4 p.m., offering a choice of a variety of good-quality meat and/or fish dishes. After this delicious meal, the audience was fully recharged to start the musical second half and to party until the end. It can be rightfully said that the men of Blues in Wijk organized an event that stood like a house. More pictures on our fotopagina, Videos on our Youtube channel.

Sailing on the Lek and Rhine

enjoy the view of the river, villages

beautiful scenery

Amerongse Bovenpolder &

Utrechtse Heuvelrug

excellent buffet

barbershop on board 

and of course very nice blues again

 

ROOTBAG

SUNSET TRAVELLERS

Richard van Bergen en Friends provide the blues on board.  

A unique and fanatical blues show.

Down-home Blues, swing, soul, Rock & Roll and New Orleans grooves.

Richard van Bergen, Roelof Klijn, Jody van Ooijen,

Roel Spanjers, Jeroen JJ Goossens, Nico Heilijgers,

Gait Klein Kromhof & Raymond Nijenhuis.

Gait Klein Kromhof & Richard van Bergen

Barbershop Wijk bij Duurstede, Rik van Laar.

IN DE MEDIA:

Wijkse Courant 16 September 2015

AD/UN 15 August 2015

Wijkse Courant 12 August 2015

MEENA CRYLE

Absolute top band from Austria

For logistical reasons, Meena’s concert on Saturday 11 June has been moved to another location in Wijk bij Duurstede. Muziektheater van Ginkel, Rijnstraat 6, only 100 metres walking distance from theatre Calypso. Free parking on the Walplantsoen, almost in front of the door.



Tickets €15,-
Theatre Calypso, Markt 4, Wijk bij Duurstede.
Theatre opens 20.00 hours. Show 20.30-23.00 hours.
E-tickets via ticketscript (extra service costs) or buy/book at van Ginkel Music, Achterstraat 1, Wijk bij Duurstede, call +31343574522,
e-mail: kaartverkoop@calypsotheater.nl
Video click here!  …………….  Interview click here.

Meena Cryle & The Chris Fillmore Band belongs to the new generation of young European blues artists who are bringing a breath of fresh air to traditional blues. Meena Cryle was born Martina Kreil in Austria in 1977. At 16, she attracted the attention of Chris Fillmore, who made her the lead singer of his band. She then travelled around the world with her guitar for a while, before returning to Austria. The collaboration with Fillmore is reestablished and her career takes a turn for the better.  Meanwhile, she has a number of albums to her name. With her fabulous talent, Meena succeeds in creating her own solid soul-blues from blues, blues-rock, ballads, soul and rock. As a singer, Meena can compete with the best in the genre. Her catchy voice with an excellent range makes every song a gem.  Chris Fillmore, who, like the singer, comes from Vienna, is a fantastic guitarist. The other band members are also from the Austrian capital.


“There is a difference between those who just sing and those who create a euphoria within themselves and with their voice. Meena is not only a voice whose effect gives hope because it is served without frippery, but also a power that comes from deep inside, intense and emotional” read more: Review Manfred Horak Kulturwoche
„Behind the rough appearance of their sound, which shifts between soul and blues, longing and devotion, sadness and ecstasy are hidden.“ -die Presse-
„With artists like Meena, no one has to worry about the future of the blues.“ –Bluesnews-
„A real splendour how this band interacted to prepare the blues and rhythm’n blues bed for Meena’s strong voice.“ -Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung-
„On stage, Meena is like a power plant that absorbs emotion and releases energy. Her voice penetrates from a depth that cannot have anything to do with the anatomy of the vocal cords alone. Heaven and hell open up…..“-Salzburger Nachrichten-

BLUES STAGE CULTURE FAIR

Saturday, September 7th, the city center of Wijk will be completely upside down again during the annual festival ColorRichinWijk. BluesinWijk has been a regular guest there for years, with the blues stage on the terrace of pub de Veldpoort. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary the Wijk bluesclub will present two spectacular acts. At 14.00 o’clock there will be a great workshop in harmonica and from 16.00 o’clock an American blues rock show of top level. An afternoon to lick your fingers. Free admission.


A new Wijks record for harmonica?
BluesinWijk has organized workshops on harmonica before, with great success. Over 250 people enjoyed it. The maximum number of participants at the workshops in 2011 and 2012 in café Ome Ko was around 70. It would of course be great to improve on that number. A new Wijks record perhaps? Blues musician Benjamin Streuper from Arnhem is the workshop leader and teacher. He is all about the harmonica and connecting people through music. No experience is needed to participate. The harmonica has a very clever and simple system for learning and remembering songs. It is the only instrument in the world that you play by breathing in and out alternately. You can take your little harmonica everywhere you go and once you get the hang of it, the world of playing pleasure opens up for you. This year, you can participate in a grand harmonica workshop. For the first 75 participants, BluesinWijk offered a free blues harp. There was a lot of interest for this and they are all taken by now. However, at the Veldpoort there are still plenty of harmonicas available which you can buy for € 7,50 to participate. Of course you can also bring your own harmonica from home. There are no further registration costs. www.benjaminharmonica.com


Ryan McGarvey – an absolute must for lovers of the better blues and blues rock.
From 16.00 to 18.00 hours, American guitar talent Ryan McGarvey and his band will give a two-hour smashing performance. In 2010, Eric Clapton selected him from over 4,000 artists worldwide to come and play at his Crossroads Guitar Festival. After this ‘discovery’ he became a rising star and won several awards, such as ‘Best New Talent’ in 2013 by Guitar Read Magazine’s and winner of ‘Best Guitarist’ at the 2014 European Blues Awards. In 2011 Europe got to know him live for the first time in Groesbeek, the Netherlands. After a phenomenal performance he left a room full of Dutch blues connoisseurs breathless and a few months later he made a big impression at the blues pub tour in theatre Calypso. Also in 2014 he was a guest at Kasteel Duurstede in an acoustic set. Since then, he has toured Europe a couple of times each year and invariably attracts full audiences everywhere. In August he will first play for a week together with the crème de la crème from the European and American blues scene during a Blues Cruise on the Mediterranean and on September 7 at the Veldpoort in Wijk. Ryan McGarvey gitar and vocals, Artha Meadors bass and Logan Miles Nix drums. www.ryanmcgarvey.com

Photos Walter Vanheuckelom

https://youtu.be/zYR4IkH965E 

Photo Willem vd Kraats

BLUESPARTY ‘SUGARBOY AND THE SINNERS’

Pub de Veldpoort, Veldpoortstraat 21, Wijk bij Duurstede. 22.00-01.00 hours. Entrance € 12,50. E-tickets (excl. service costs) via the ticket button at the top of this page. Tickets without service costs for sale at the Veldpoort.

Sugarboy and the Sinners play their hearts out at Eatery de Veldpoort food & drink. From about 10 pm onwards, the eatery is transformed into a real blues bar: the smell of dinner makes way for the steaming sounds of blues. Sugarboy and the Sinners are known in the Netherlands as a blues party band and are going to put on a great show. Fans should not miss this evening.

Ian Parker Band (UK)

IAN PARKER conquered the hearts of many people in the neighbourhood at Jazzby Duurstede in 2007. He still plays blues music with the confidence of someone who has made it. He doesn’t have to prove anything anymore but he still has a lot to say: Parker is someone you can’t afford to miss.
Theatre Calypso, Markt 4, Wijk bij Duurstede. Theatre opens 15.30 hours. Show 16.00 uur. Entrance € 10,-. E-tickets via the ticket button at the top of this page (note: extra service costs) or buy/reserve at van Ginkel Music, Achterstraat 1, Wijk bij Duurstede, telefoon 0343-574522, e-mail: info@vanginkelmuziek.nl

 

IAN PARKER BAND (UK)
Ian is an original artist, his lyrics are poignant, almost literary. He performs them in a characteristic bittersweet voice with a lot of expressiveness. He distinguishes himself by making a lot of contact with his audience and radiates openness.
Ian’s career began in the summer of 2003 when he signed with Ruf Records after meeting record producer David Z (Prince – Purple Rain). His debut album Inside (Ruf1094) was released in October of that year, followed by more albums, live recordings on DVD and extensive tours of Europe and the US. Parker was always breaking new musical ground, never content with doing the same tricks, no matter how successful they were. Ian is a true craftsman who is guided by his art and who, as he himself says, has the need to express his emotions in his music.
He sometimes took unexpected roads, testing his fans, but the essence of his work has always remained: his honest lyrics, his characteristic voice and his sensitive and distinctive guitar playing.
Following the release of Politik Blues (Eye-Pea002) in April 2015, Parker returned to the Stratocaster blues music where he began his career 20 years ago. Accompanied on stage by David Jenkins (bass), Chris Finn (drums) and Morg Morgan on keyboard (with whom he has long collaborated), Parker has entered a new phase of his remarkable career. No longer the newcomer who has to find a place in an over-saturated market, Parker now presents his music with the self-confidence of someone who has made it. He no longer has to prove anything, but he still has a lot to say: Parker is someone not to be missed.

OPENING PHOTO EXHIBITION 10 YEARS BLUES IN WIJK

Blues in Wijk exists 10 years and we look back on it with great pleasure. With the collection of images and sound from all years, we go back in time. In 2019 there will be three different photo exhibitions, in which we always remember more than 3 years of Blues in Wijk. The first photo overview of events that took place from 2009 to 2013 will be on display in the City Brewery De Dikke in Wijk bij Duurstede.

The opening of this first photo exhibition is on Friday, June 28 at 4 pm. During the opening, films of events from this first period of Blues in Wijk will be presented as well. All this will be celebrated with live blues from the VINTAGE BROTHERS. This duo is in Wijk bij Duurstede and in the rest of the Netherlands very popular and well known. From the start of Blues in Wijk, the Vintage brothers Rien and Jan van Rijn have been our musical guests on a regular basis. They play fine Chicago Blues, enjoy with freshly brewed beer.
The photo exhibition can be viewed in the city brewery during opening hours from Saturday 29 June to Saturday 20 July. The locations and openings for the photo exhibitions of subsequent years will be announced later this year.
CITY BREWERY DE DIKKE has been brewing artisanal beers based on a historic recipe dating back to 1495 since 2015. Where first brewing took place at third parties, after more than a century beer brewing has returned to the inner city of Wijk. All beers of the Dikke are now brewed in their own city in the Veldpoortstraat 15. Besides the production of their own beer, there is also room for beer tastings. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoon from 13.00 – 19.00 hours it is possible to book beer tastings. With a small group of 6 to 12 persons. The brewery also opens its doors on the first Sunday of the month.

The Vintage Brothers are a unique blues duo, who have been performing in pubs, venues, festivals and even living rooms of and for blues lovers since 2004. Jan and Rinus van Rijn’s intention is to adapt old blues songs to a line-up of just a guitar and the mouth harp and to make their own songs. They experiment with different rhythms and tonalities, because they don’t just want to copy, but want to give the songs their own translation. The solo parts are improvised, in which you can find the jazzy character of the Vintage Brothers, a tradition that they will continue to maintain. This is one of the reasons why every performance is different and alive, from dragging and emotional, to energetic and driving. Chicago blues with a dash of rock and jazz best typifies the Vintage Brothers style. Music to listen to, to muse about, to eat, to drink and certainly to dance to. Go back to the time of juke joints, a smoky pub, the atmosphere of the blues with the Vintage Brothers.

     

MAGIC FRANKIE

Gangster of the Blues back again in Wijk.

Click here for video.

TICKETS € 12,50

Theatre Calypso, Markt 4, Wijk bij Duurstede.

Theatre open 20.00 hours. Show 20.30-23.00 hours. Stand places. E-tickets via ticketscript (extra servicekosten) or buy/reserve at van Ginkel Music, Achterstraat 1, Wijk bij Duurstede, telefoon +31343-574522, e-mail: info@vanginkelmuziek.nl

Friends & sponsors free admission via mail to info@bluesinwijk.nl
The blues world may get ready for one of the most wanted comebacks of this century: Magic Frankie is back.

MAGIC FRANKIE & THE BLUES DISEASE

With an impressive resume, Magic Frankie (nicknamed the Gangster of the Blues ) knows better than anyone how life as a blues musician works. Already at a young age Frank felt attracted to the dark sounds of the blues. In the 1980s the twenty-something surprised his homeland with Magic Frankie and The Blues Disease. This formation caused a true blues wave in the Netherlands, but was also noticed internationally. B.B. King himself gave Frank the biggest compliment ever when he signed the album ‘It’s Magic’ with the words “You really play my kind of blues.”

The years that followed were marked by success. Musical gems like ‘Hearts In Sorrow’ – in collaboration with the legendary Kaz Lux – and ‘Lucky’ – with guest appearances by Lois Lane and Thijs van Leer – shook the blues world to its foundations. Besides many performances (with the Metropole Orchestra) for national television, the German WDR and children’s programs such as Klokhuis, the Bay Tour was one of the highlights of this period. For two weeks Magic Frankie performed in prisons throughout the country in the theme of Christmas.

The new millennium brought Frankie health problems. His lifestyle caused issues that made the Gangster of the Blues tame. On a personal level, Magic Frankie encountered many setbacks, so around 2004 he decided to put his guitar away for a while. The blues spirit was lost, the magic broken.

But the blood creeps where it cannot go. When he is asked as a guest at a session, Magic Frankie comes alive again. Playing the first notes, Frankie realizes that he doesn’t just make blues: he breathes blues. At that moment, he decided to use his life experience gained to express his blues even more intensely.

After a while, Magic Frankie felt the need to revive his Blues Disease as well.  The Gangster of the Blues is back in business.
CREW:
Magic Frankie – vocals, guitar and blues harp
Frans Damen – drums
Armando Jansen – guitar, vocals
Pim Spetter – piano and Wurlitzer
Mark Harmsma – bass

BLUES WALK

Pub Ome Ko, Maleborduurstraat 9,  Wijk bij Duurstede. 20.00-22.30 hours. Participation costs € 12,50. E-tickets (excl. service costs) via the ticket button at the top of this page. Tickets without service charges are also available from Ome Ko.

In cooperation with the Wijkse middle class, (former) entrepreneurs and the catering industry, a large-scale blues walk will be organised on Friday 3 April. A unique and special project carried out by a few dozen volunteers. Starting at 20:00, the walks will start from café Ome Ko and four guides from Wijk will lead the participants through the city centre. In several locations, inhabitants of Wijk tell old stories and anecdotes about the time when Wijk was still isolated and poor. Just like the black slaves last century in the south of the United States. Their blues music managed to carry their heavy existence back then. Blues musicians of today (Thomas Toussaint Band & Friends) will let you hear some appropriate blues. Around 10 pm everyone will be back at Ome Ko for a smashing afterparty. A joint session of the participating blues musicians will turn this blues happening into an unforgettable evening. A maximum of 100 participants can take part in the blues walk. Participation in the walk & afterparty is € 12.50. E-tickets for sale at www.bluesinwijk.nl and at pub Ome Ko. The walk is less suitable for people with mobility problems.

After the walk, afterparty with the Thomas Toussaint Band & Friends. Free entrance for participants of the blueswalk. Other visitors (if there is enough room) € 7,50 at the door.

BLUES QUIZ IN ‘t HOFF

Wednesday evening 28 January we organise a blues quiz together with pub ‘t Hoff. In teams of 4 persons the participants will try to answer the questions that ‘kwismaster’ Pascal has prepared. Interactive and fun. Three teams have already signed up. It is a nice opportunity to test your blues knowledge together with colleagues, friends, neighbours or whoever. Also fun for sponsors to sign up with a company team?  Maximum 40 people. Register via info@bluesinwijk.nl

SPONSOR AND VOLUNTEER PARTY

10 years of BluesinWijk was a great success with sold out events, many happy faces and great blues. Made possible by our sponsors and volunteers, for which we are very grateful. We celebrated this 13th of December 2019 in the Wijkse Graanschuur. A blues party without live blues is of course unthinkable. Blues band Basic-Station from Driebergen played acoustic, the blues knowledge was ‘tested’ with a real blues quiz and the Graanschuur provided a delicious buffet.

Opening new blues year with the DAVE WARMERDAM BAND & BLACK CAT BISCUIT

Friday, January 10, we open the new blues year 2020 with a spectacular blues night in theatre Calypso with BLACK CAT BISCUIT (winner Belgium Blues Challenge 2018) and the DAVE WARMERDAM BAND (winner Dutch Blues Challenge 2019). Hall open 19.30 hrs. Start 20.00 hrs. Entrance €12,50. Tickets for sale at van Ginkel Muziek, Achterstraat 1, Wijk bij Duurstede phone +31343-574522, email: info@vanginkel-muziek.nl. E-tickets (+ €1,80 servicekosten) order via the ticket button at the top of this page.

BLACK CAT BISCUIT www.blackcatbiscuit.com

No well-trodden paths or grey covers with Black Cat Biscuit, but a surprising, at times racy cocktail of fresh songs marinated in a ‘special gumbo hot sauce’ brought to you by five passionate musicians! Yasser (Six-pack, Wood & Roses) is your host with an alcohol-drenched blues voice who nevertheless leads his swinging guitar and the rest of the band with a steady hand.  Patrick ‘P.Daddy Alley’ Indestege (Big Mama’s Kitchen, Rhythm Bombs, Elmore D, Ale & Alley) on double bass forms with  Jeffrey Gijbels (Belgium’s Got Talent, Festeyn) on drums a familiar rhythm section that swings like a tick! Stanley Patty (Doctor Rhythm, Phil Bee and the Buzztones, Rhythm Bombs, The Loveveins) is one of the most appreciated blues guitarists in the Benelux, his sound is a mix of his examples Magic Sam, Albert Collins and Johnny Guitar Watson, mixed with his own typical feeling and technique. Mr Mark Sepanski (the Monday Lovers, Six-pack) blows his soul out of his body and converts the last doubters to Bluesdom. Black Cat Biscuit plays a mesmerising gig you can’t miss, after this nothing will ever be the same again!  Come and see us! Black Cat 1″>released a first album on February 22, 2019 and achieved 4th place at the European Blues Challenge 2019 in Ponta Delgada, the Azores.

DAVE WARMERDAM BAND groovetown.nl/davewarmerdamband/

These five young musicians are in complete agreement about their musical style: nowhere can you express so much emotion as in the blues. And that is what they do. Time after time, the audience is amazed by what this band is able to put into their music, and how they are able to convey this to the music lovers in the audience. They know how to give great performances of old and well-known blues classics, and their beautiful own songs fit in seamlessly. The band effortlessly succeeds in drawing a younger audience into their enthusiastic and energetic stage presence. This band is a must for lovers of blues, jazz and funk. They won the Dutch Blues Challenge 2019 and will represent the Netherlands at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 2020. At the end of December 2017, the band released their first CD in the old (6-man) formation: “A Tribute To The Masters Of The Blues”.

Sonny Hunt cs

SATURDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2011 BLUESinWIJK HAD A GREAT BLUES DAY IN THEATER CALYPSO WITH A GITARWORKSHOP; A DELICIOUS KALE MEAL AND A FANTASTIC BLUES CONCERT WITH SONNY HUNT, THE DIRTY WHITE BOYS AND THE YOUNG DUTCH GUITARISTS LEIF DE LEEUW (15 YRS) AND RORY DE KIEVIT (21 YRS).

leifdeleeuw

Below are some media reactions, photos and videos.

ditiswijk you tube wijksecourant bluesmagazine logo bluesman

sonnyhuntband050211

calypso050211leif  calypso050211twoguitars  calypso050211leif2

Foto’s Anton Rekke

THREE FANTASTIC GUITAR TITANS IN CALYPSO!

050211a  050211bposter 050211

Zaterdagavond 5 februari 2011 organiseert BLUESinWIJK in het Wijkse Calypsotheatre another great blues night not to be missed. The 54-year-old American blues guitarist Sonny HUNT performs with 2 young Dutch guitar talents, supported by the Dutch Dirty White Boys. Sonny Hunt is a musical jack-of-all-trades who has been around for years in the American blues world, with 12 albums to his name. He played in Tony Spinner’s band and toured the Netherlands several times with that band. He grew up in Memphis and currently lives in Nashville. His favourite instrument is the guitar. Via My-space, he has met 2 young Dutch guitar talents in recent yearsRory de Kievit and Leif de Leeuw know. Rory is 20 years and Leif is 16. Both of them won (Rory in 2003 and Leif in 2009) the prestigious SENA Dutch Guitar Awards and last October, Rory also won the Steve Vai contestA GUARANTEE FOR QUALITY. Leif de Leeuw now has his own band, which performs with great success. Sonny, Rory and Leif toured the Netherlands together for the first time in the summer of 2010. The Dirty White Boys are Han Neijenhuis on drums and Dirk Stam on bass and vocals, Sonny’s “regular” Dutch band for European tours. The 2010 tour was a great success. The Dutch blues websites Bluesmagazine and Bluesrockpagina and the German Rocktimes were praised and Bluesmoose-radio made beautiful recordings. The guys from BLUESinWIJK were so impressed with these string pickers during Culemborg Blues 2010 that they decided to bring the whole band to Wijk for a new tour in 2011. They succeeded, on Saturday February 5, they will perform in Calypso from 21.00 hours. Friends and sponsors pay only 10 euro (order via info@bluesinwijk.nl). The remaining tickets are for sale for € 12.50 via muziekwinkel van Ginkel (info@vanginkel-muziek.nl), Theatre Calypso (kaartverkoop@calypsotheater.nl) and the Tourist Office. Without a doubt, this will be another wonderful blues evening and we will also be able to enjoy their unique interpretations of Hendrix successes like Little Wing en Voodoo Chile and Jeff Beck’s Cause we’ve ended as lovers can enjoy.

sonnyhunt leifdeleeuw rorydekievit

The performance of Sonny Hunt & The Dirty White Boys in Wijk is part of a short promotional tour for the new live CD “Hitting The Noot”, which will be released at the end of January.  After months of experimenting, producing and mixing, the new CD is finally ready. It is a live registration of the concert in Muziekcafé De Noot, Hoogland, on Sunday 5 September 2010. Supported by the solid rhythm section The Dirty White Boys (drummer Han Neijenhuis and bassist Dick Stam) and up-and-coming talents Rory de Kievit and Leif de Leeuw, Hunt has delivered a masterpiece! This blues CD is a blueprint of everything this band stands for: emotion, passion, playing together and colourful, catchy guitar solos but above all musical pleasure with no less than three guitarists on one stage. The goosebump moments follow each other in rapid succession.

Sonny Hunt
In the Netherlands, Hunt owes his fame mainly to his work with the Tony Spinner Band. Together with Spinner (known for his work with the world formation TOTO) Hunt has performed on various Dutch stages since 2004. With Dutch guitar giant Jan Akkerman, Hunt shines at the Rapenburg Festival in Leiden in August 2005. Afterwards Akkerman says he is very impressed by Hunt’s technical and refined guitar playing. It is friend and singer/bass guitarist Dick Stam of The Dirty White Boys who invites him in the spring of 2007 for a short tour of The Netherlands. Encouraged by the enthusiastically received performances, this was soon followed up. In 2010, the band is strengthened by the addition of two young Dutch guitar talents, Rory de Kievit and Leif de Leeuw.

Rory de Kievit
At the age of ten, Rory already picked up the guitar and within a short time he was playing songs by Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. In 2003, at the age of thirteen, he is the proud winner of the Sena Guitar Awards. In 2006, Rory released his first album. This is an instrumental fusion/rock album called “Musical Journey”. Praising reviews appear in Music Maker, among others. In 2007, Rory plays with his band (Rory MI) at the Midpoint Festival in Cincinnatti, USA. People rave about the unprecedented high level of the youngsters. In 2008, the editors of Ongekendtalent.nl proclaimed the band as the most remarkable band of that year. In 2009, he becomes the guitarist in the band of pan-flute talent Mihai and takes part in the TV programme Holland Got Talent. Highlight in 2010 is winning the Steve Vai Naked Tracks Contest in Groningen with Steve Vai in the jury! He also tours with Sonny Hunt and can be seen and heard as the guitarist of April Darby and the band Nona.

Leif de Leeuw
Leif de Leeuw is only 15 years old. But he is already being called the newest blues sensation in the Netherlands. That his talent has not gone unnoticed by other bands is shown by the fact that he was allowed to play as a guest player with, among others, the Radical Roosters, Brad Snyder, Bluesmotel, the F.O.G. Blues Band and the American guitarist Sonny Hunt. His great example Joe Bonamassa is even, after seeing a YouTube video of Leif, very impressed by his guitar playing. At the end of 2009, he personally invites Leif for a backstage meeting in Carré, Amsterdam. In that same year, Leif participates in the SENA Dutch Guitar Awards, the Dutch Guitar Championships up to 21 years of age. Considering his playing style, technique, expression and charisma the young man from Amersfoort is declared winner of the 2009 finals. Since September 2010 Leif has a band around him. They play a mix of blues/rock covers and their own material.

ERIC STECKEL (USA)

Theatre Calypso, Markt 4 Wijk bij Duurstede. 

Theatre open 20.00 hours. Start show 20.30 hours. Tickets € 15,-. 

Ticket sale: E-tickets (excl. ticket costs)  via the ticket button at the top of this page, at van Ginkel Muziek, Achterstraat 1 in Wijk bij Duurstede, tel: +31343-574522 or Calypso theatre.

Eric Steckel and the band of Bas Paardekooper 19 December 2009 Wijk bij Duurstede theatre Calypso.

It has been a few years since Eric Steckel was to be seen in our country. The American guitar promise of yesteryear, entered the Dutch stages for the first time as a ‘kid’ of barely 16 (see photo above theatre Calypso Wijk bij Duurstede December 19, 2009) and has meanwhile grown into a fixed blues-rock value in the international circuit.  In spring 2017 he will be in Europe again and will also perform a concert in the Netherlands, including one in theatre Calypso in Wijk bij Duurstede.  

Bluesveteraan in de dop. The 25-year-old singer, songwriter and guitarist has been called the youngest veteran of the blues. He combines vintage and modern influences to create his own signature blend of tasty guitar-based blues rock. He has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in blues and has been touring the world for the last ten years. For his age, this guy is incredibly experienced and dedicated. His latest release and already seventh album “Black Gold” amazed the critics. Recorded in Amsterdam and Nashville, it is distinguished as Eric’s best work to date. Eric is musically supported by a tight rhythm section, consisting of drummer Maikel Roethof and bass guitarist Jos Kamps. Eric himself is armed with a ’65 Fender Strat and always ready to storm the stage. For years, he has been a welcome guest at the major blues festivals in the Netherlands, and knows how to impress the audience every time with his amazing guitar virtuosity! A powerful American guitar player with an extraordinary authentic blues soul.

Eric Steckel was already captivated by the guitar when he was just 10 years old and played pieces inspired by Albert King. In his hometown and its surroundings, the word spread like wildfire: ‘there’s a boy out there who can do things on a guitar that are unbelievable’. In 2002, at the age of 11, he recorded his first album “A Few Degrees Warmer”. From then on, things went fast for the blues guitarist. He also played in our country many times; for example as support act for Johnny Winter in Paradiso and at Bluesrock Tegelen. After the album ‘Feels Like Home’ in 2008, Eric transformed from the well-known blues teenager into a more mature guitarist. He’s still young but you can’t tell from his playing! More and more people are saying that Eric is following in the footsteps of his fellow countryman Joe Bonamassa, who also played the big music stages at a very young age. So now you have the chance to admire Eric in a small setting.

theatre show BIG BO ‘PREACHING THE BLUES’

Cancelled due to Corona. New date is 5 March 2021.

Theatre Calypso, Markt 4, Wijk bij Duurstede. Starts at 20.00 hrs. Entrance € 12,50. E-tickets (excl. service costs) for sale via the ticket button on top of this page. Tickets without service charges for sale at van Ginkel Muziek, Achterstraat 1, Wijk bij Duurstede. Tel: +31343-574522.

A show in music, images and storytelling about the birth of the blues in the Mississippi Delta. Bo Brocken (stage name: Big Bo)has mastered the pre-war blues styles of the Mississippi Delta and neighbouring regions like no other. He has been performing and telling the story of the birth of the blues for over 30 years, now in the form of a beautiful theatrical piece. After the successful theatre tour “Trouble Soon Be Over” with Marc Stakenburg and Frédérique Spigt, Big Bo continues his musical journey. In an intimate one-person setting, Bo tells about the origins of the Blues, larded with the music as it was heard in the years from early slavery to the migration to the big cities in the 1950s in the United States.