New Year’s concert Howlin’ Bill 2011

JazzPubWbD and BLUESinWIJK organised a smashing start to the new music year 2011 on Sunday 9 January 2011 from 15.00 in a room that was SOLD OUT. In the Wijkhuis played the fantastic rhythm & bluesman HOWLIN BILL from Antwerp with a unique mix of blues, rock’n’roll, swing, boogie and rockabilly. The Belgian band consists of 4 driven and excellent musicians who mainly play their own work, occasionally interspersed with a cover. They have been touring all over Europe for more than 10 years and it is actually incomprehensible that we have not come across this band more often here in the Netherlands. They made it a big party in Wijk and left a very satisfied audience behind. Entertaining was once again no problem, as the front man stoked the fires with his smoky voice and passionate harmonica playing. Below are reviews, media reports, photos and videos.

Text: Gerrit Harsen ; Photos: Marcel Wolthers

That the three gentlemen of BLUESinWIJK have things well in hand is well known. With their summer festivals and blues nights in the Calypso Theatre of Wijk bij Duurstede, they have a solid core of 200 friends behind them. Still, they know how to surprise the audience this Sunday afternoon with champagne as a welcome. During the performance, delicious snacks will also be passed around the room. The gentlemen, in cooperation with the JazzcaféWBD, have again made it a fantastic afternoon. The show of the Belgian band, Howlin’Bill, completed the day. The BLUESinWIJK gentlemen could make some of their friends pay ‘hush money’ as an entrance fee next time. Because the cackling audience was a very big disturbance on this beautiful afternoon. No Calypso Theatre this time, but at the regular location of the beautiful Jazzcafé. The Jazzcafé turns out to be a wonderful place and immediately raises the question of why this collaboration was not chosen earlier. In any case, it invites for more performances at this location. A great place for medium-sized blues bands. It’s up to the Belgian Howlin’Bill to open the new blues year in Wijk bij Duurstede. When the kick-off takes place, the band is playing in a sold-out hall filled to capacity with 200 people. Even for a band, the first gig in 2011 could not have started worse. Frontman Willem says he is looking forward to it. With opener ‘Next Time’, they know how to captivate the audience right away and the first swinging people can already be spotted. The mix of blues, rock’n’roll, swing, boogie, rock and roackabilly is very catchy. In no time, the fire spreads to even more people present and a lovely dancing crowd emerges. As so often, most of the attention on stage goes to the frontman and the guitarist. It’s no different with this band, but oh well, the two gentlemen have a tight rhythm section behind them with Uncle T and Waylon Waters. The basis that is laid down gives the sublime guitarist Little Jimmy and Bill the opportunity to excel alternately. Both make use of this with verve. Bill regularly succeeds in getting the audience to sing along and during the solos of Little Jimmy, the audience cheers as if there was another Jimi in the room. Absolute highlight of the evening for me is the song ‘A Man’s Got To Do’. Everything seems to come together here, what a cracker. When, after almost two hours, the end seems to approach, the hall is a swarming mass. There are even a number of people who, due to the lack of space, finish their dance steps outside of the hall. When only a short encore is given, a small disappointment can be seen in the swinging audience. This hall had “really” wanted much more. Howlin’Bill has shown this afternoon that the Dutch delegation at the European Blues Challenge in Berlin in March 2011 has a very big competitor. Finally, a big compliment to the sound engineers, perfect gentlemen. Without earplugs and after the show no problems at all.

I CAN’T WIN DON’T YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU

Gerrit Harmsen of Bluesmagazine had another interview with frontman Wim Vos.

On a beautiful Sunday in March this year, the Wijkse Bluesmen had set their sights on seeing the American bluesman Roy Roberts in the Wageningen bluesclub-XXL. However, he was unable to perform, but a worthy replacement was found: HOWLING BILL from Belgium. We hadn’t heard of them before, but we were pleasantly surprised and had a wonderful afternoon in Wageningen. Howling Bill turned out to be an excellent band, which stole our hearts from the first note. It’s a fantastic band with a unique mix of blues, rock’n’roll, swing, boogie and rockabilly. The 4 passionate and excellent musicians mainly play their own work, occasionally interspersed with a cover. They made it a big party in Wageningen and left their audience extremely happy. This band is very entertaining, because the front man stoked the fire with his smoky voice and passionate mouth harmonica playing. The band wanted to play in the Netherlands more often and we agreed that we would come back to them soon. When JazzcaféWbD proposed to BLUESinWIJK a joint blues afternoon the choice was easily made and the Belgians were contracted. Sunday afternoon January 9th 2011 from 16.30 hours you can see and hear them in the Wijkhuis. From 15.30 our blues-DJ Marcel plays tasty blues music to get you in the mood.

BELOW IS A PHOTO IMPRESSION OF SILVIA BRUINSSLOT

JazzPubWbD and BLUESinWIJK organise on Sunday, January 9, 2011 from 15.00 hours a smashing start of the new music year 2011. In the Wijkhuis the fantastic rhythm & bluesman HOWLIN BILL from Antwerp with a unique mix of blues, rock’n’roll, swing, boogie and rockabilly. The Belgian band consists of 4 driven and excellent musicians who mainly play their own work, occasionally interspersed with a cover. They have been touring all over Europe for more than 10 years and it is actually incomprehensible that we have not come across this band more often here in the Netherlands. They always make it a big party at every performance and leave their audience extremely happy. . Entertaining is not a problem for this band, as the front man stirs up the fire with his smoky voice and passionate mouth harmonica playing. Admission 10 euro. More than half of the tickets have already been sold, we can only accommodate 200 visitors, so avoid disappointment and book in advance via info@bluesinwijk.nl of beheer@jazzcafewbd.nl

toost op een goede samenwerking

BluesinWijk (Arie Verheul) and JazzPubWbD (Willem van Lon) toast to good cooperation

Film (Two trains runnin’) and Blues (Reemers&deGreef)

In theatre Calypso, we screen the beautiful film ‘Two Trains Runnin’ interspersed with live blues by blues duo Reemers & de Greef. The film has only been shown once before in the Netherlands, so it’s an excellent and unique opportunity to go and see it. English spoken, not subtitled.

The film goes back to the summer of 1964, when two groups of three white, music-loving young men independently travelled to Mississippi in search of blues legends Skip James and Son House. The search took place against the backdrop 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 cultural gap and driving social change. The interviews are supplemented with testimonies of other contemporary and historical musicians and activists, with sometimes shocking archive footage and, of course, with a lot 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.

Frank Reemers and Joep de Greef are two old hands on the Dutch music scene with a lot of experience and a passion for Blues & Roots music. Together they regularly travel to the cradle of the Blues, the south of America. Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Texas, Illinois and of course Mississippi and visit all the places that have been important in the history of the Blues and play in the Juke Joints and Blues cafes. Besides their successful bluesbands Ramblin’ Dog and Mojo Hand, the two of them love to play beautiful homegrown and self-edited Blues and Roots songs to an interested audience. Armed with various guitars and blues harp they bring a diverse repertoire that goes from old fingerpicking Delta blues songs to delicious swinging gems from the Blues world and surrounding areas. Blues & Roots played with passion and sung from the heart, that is Reemers & de Greef.
Click here for photos

Digital blues concert of HARLEM LAKE (ex Dave Warmerdam Band)

BLUESinWIJK brings the blues to your home.

The Dave Warmerdam Band is changing its name. On 27 February, you can watch their debut concert from the comfort of your own home via a live stream. For this concert, the band is extended with horns, percussion, guitar and backing vocalists. An evening (start 20.30 hours) of delicious blues at home for only €15,-. For tickets, click on the ticket logo on the right. Your ticket is valid for 48 hours. Enjoy this promising young band.

A band for fans of: Joe Bonamassa, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Beth Hart, Teskey Brothers, DeWolff, Waylon, Joss Stone, Jefferson Airplane, Fleetwood Mac and Marcus King.

Harlem Lake is their new band name and consists of 5 young musicians, but for this special occasion expanded with singers, a three-piece horn section, percussion and a second guitarist. In the past year, they have worked hard on their new material and now the time has come to show it to the public!

Expect a powerful set with an energy that you normally only see on the main stages of big festivals. Singer Janne Timmer blows everyone away with her soulful voice full of power while Sonny Ray complements her on guitar without a doubt. Dave Warmerdam on keyboards is the brain behind the arrangements and forms a musical pillar on stage. The music they make is sincere, layered and profound, but also wonderful to completely lose yourself in.

The band’s roots lie in blues music but through the influences of Joe Bonamassa and Tedeschi Trucks Band, their sound has broadened into a solid blues rock sound with a touch of soul. In 2019 they won the Dutch Blues Challenge and early last year they were in the semi-finals of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. They were spotted by American blues guitarist Walter Trout and will be supporting him in September at Paradiso and 013, among others.

But before the world breaks loose from the grip of the virus, the band presents itself in this livestream concert. Celebrate with them the new band name and toast together to a musical future!

Robbert Duijf, Blame it on Vinnie (Howlin’ Bill) and Chicago Capitols

MINI-BLUESFESTIVAL GREAT SUCCESS!

Instead of the cancelled Blues Pub Tour, BluesinWijk and theatre Calypso organized a small blues festival on November 28 with three blues acts, each playing a set of over half an hour and together providing a show of about two hours. With Robbert Duijf (winner of the Dutch Blues Challenge 2019), the Belgian duo Blame it on Vinnie (with a.o. the former Howlin’ Bill frontman) and blues band Chicago Capitols.

Sold out three times.With some 90 visitors, it is easy to sell out, but in Corona time, three performances in one day is the most feasible and just about break-even. For weeks, the seven musicians had been preparing for this mini-festival. Many of their performances had been cancelled due to the Corona measures and if a blues club dares to do so, then you go all the way and give it your all. All the pent up Corona energy came out and made sure that the visitors could fully enjoy a more than great blues evening.

30 people in the audience, no drinks, 1.5 metres distance, very special! “It is good that we let it go on, at least something is happening and in such a small setting, it is very special and very atmospheric. Finally live blues in the theatre again” was the first reaction of theatre director Tom van Ginkel afterwards. Good, fat blues, rock, country, beautiful ballads, entertainment and humour. Three performances with great artists of high level and ninety more than satisfied and happy blues fans and about the musicians nothing but praise.

We asked a number of regular visitors for a reaction. Without exception, they were enthusiastic.Robbert Duijf, from the Province of Limburg, was described as a musician who with his voice and guitar touches you deep into your soul. Delicious bluesy ballads, many own songs, beautiful stories, excellent guitar playing, raw voice and vocals. A class on its own, who did not win the Dutch Blues Challenge in 2019 for nothing. What a stunner. Captivating from start to finish.

Het Belgische duo Blame it on Vinnie With a lot of humour, good singing and great guitar work, he provided a wonderful set. Many people knew singer Wim de Vos from the blues band Howlin’ Bill during the legendary New Year’s concert (2011) in the Wijkhuis. With his harmonica, beautiful voice and great stories, Wim knew how to make the audience enjoy himself and guitar player Gerrie de Waard played with feeling on the strings. How they transformed an Irish song and a Nancy Sinatra song into the Blues was also very clever. Too bad they had to stop earlier in the third show to be in Antwerp in time for the curfew in Belgium.

Also Chicago Capitols could count on much appreciation. A recently formed blues band with a lot of stage experience from the south of the country. Three men and a woman, who can build a party with Erik van Tilburg as pacesetter. We saw him before in Wijk as the frontman of the Hoodoo Monks. Super how this stage animal with his vocals, dexterity and mouth organ completely carried away the other band members in their performance. A great act to watch, listen and enjoy. Many a visitor would have loved to stand in front of the stage and dance along with this happy and joyful band.

Blues fan Frans Hoving put it as follows: “Finally, we could go to another blues night at BluesinWijk. I had been looking forward to this for weeks. Anton Winkel and I were sitting next to each other. We had planned to take a drink with us. But when we asked the board, it was absolutely not allowed, no alcohol on this blues night. I must confess that I didn’t miss the drinks, but I did miss the atmosphere and the nice chat with everyone. But the music made up for everything. I experienced this performance as a private concert and it was so wonderful that it was as quiet as a mouse in the hall. The artists came into their own. Three different Blues styles from top artists. I went home happy and sober and that at the Blues……. thank you BluesinWijk”.

Pictures Wim Robben. More pictures in our Photo archief.

Press meeting start of BLUESinWIJK

After years of dreaming about more blues in Wijk bij Duurstede, the Wijk blues lovers Anton Winkel, Frans Hoving and Arie Verheul (they call themselves BLUESinWIJK) had their first encounter with the Jazz by Duurstede foundation in 2009. There they discussed their idea to expand the annual Jazz by Duurstede with a regular blues programme. No new festival, but “hitching a ride” on the excellent infrastructure of Jazz by Duurstede with a separate blues stage and an appealing blues programme. That first acquaintance was very positive and very soon afterwards they were able to move on. A period of much deliberation followed, gathering money, programming and contracting of blues bands, building a website, getting the media interested and so on. Busy times, a lot of stress, but also very inspiring and very enjoyable.

24 April 2009 was the day………..the presentation of their dream to the local media. In café Ome Ko, Ditiswijk, Wijkse Courant and Wijks Nieuws are present and over 20 interested people. Guest of honour is of course Aline van Dam of the Jazz bij Duurstede foundation, who gives the idea all the support and makes it possible to plan a blues stage on June 6 at the 17th edition of JAZZbyDUURSTEDE. The Vintage Brothers play to their heart’s content and also open their website that evening. The newspapers pick up the story very well and publish nice stories and pictures. The first friends and sponsors came forward. It was the beginning of a very successful Wijk Bluesclub.

Guy Verlinde Trio

2021 we open the new blues year with 2 intimate listening concerts by the Belgian/American trio Guy Verlinde.

In the past decade Guy Verlinde dominated the Belgian blues scene and toured non-stop through Europe with his band The Mighty Gators. He recorded 12 albums in 11 years and played at countless festivals and performed several times on stage at Blues Peer, the Ancienne Belgique, De Roma, Cognac Blues Passions, Moulin Blues Ospel, … where he shared the stage with greats like: B.B. King, John Fogerty, Tony Joe White, Santana, John Hiatt, Canned Heat, Jeff Beck, …

Imagine finding the strength to forgive everyone who ever stepped on your soul? That is the starting point of the latest acoustic album “All Is Forgiven” by Guy Verlinde. With this very personal, intimist album, he transcends the blues and shows that he is also at home in the Americana music & singer-songwriter genre. During this concert, Guy will be assisted by two top-class musicians.

Tom Beardslee on banjo, mandolin, lap steel from Ohio (US) is a versatile musician and a master painter of sound. This multi-instrumentalist strips songs down to their pure essence and draws from the rich catalogue of blues, Americana, folk and classical music. He is a much sought-after studio and session musician.

Oliver Vander Bauwede (harmonica & gitar) is one of the new batch of Ghent blues musicians. A versatile harmonica player, who goes much further than just the traditional blues licks. Influenced by his teacher Steven De bruyn (El Fish, The Rhythm Junks), he explores the most diverse musical styles with his harmonica and studies jazz at the Brussels conservatory.

The focus during this performance will be on the whisper/listen songs he wrote together for this album. Guy Verlinde is known as the energetic performer, but this time he shows his most modest and intimate side. It is a concert full of stories about love, loss, hope, resurrection, … but above all about the positive power of music. A concert not to be missed with dreamy fingerpicking, acoustic slide guitar, a harmonica and narrative songs that grab you by the throat.

MICHAEL DE JONG

A wonderful evening of listening blues with Michael de Jong.

On February 18, 2017, Michael de Jong was inducted into the Dutch Blues Hall of Fame, the highest award known to the blues in the Netherlands.

During his performance on June 16 in Wijk bij Duurstede, he will be officially presented with the accompanying Award by the Dutch Blues Foundation.

De Jong was born in France to a French mother and a Frisian father. Together with his parents, he emigrated to the United States at the age of five, where he grew up in Grand Rapids. At the age of six, he caught the singing bug through the church choir. At thirteen, he taught himself to play the guitar after attending a Johnny Cash concert – “I want to do that too”. At eighteen, he started his first band, The Nightwalkers.
In 1967, he moved to Detroit, where he performed regularly at John Sinclair’s Ann Arbor Blues Festival. Between 1970 and 1974 he travelled through the United States and finally ended up in New Orleans. There he performed almost every night for thirteen months in the louche neighbourhood of Bourbon Street. In 1975, he settled in California, which would be his new home until 19 September 1984. There he performed with many musicians: Jerry Garcia, Paul Butterfield, Albert Collins, John Lee Hooker, Maria Muldaur, Country Joe, Charlie Musselwhite, Albert King… As if this was not enough, he then joined blues legend Jimmy Reed and band as a guitarist. At that time, under the influence of Jimmy Reed, he started writing his own lyrics.
In 1981, he recorded his first album, All Night Long. In 1984, he had enough of the American “money-grubber culture” and, swearing never to return to the United States, he returned to Europe, crossing Paris, London and Bremen to settle in Copenhagen, Denmark from 1985 to 1988. Then he settled down and left for the Netherlands. At the end of the eighties, beginning of the nineties, Michael lived a rather turbulent life in Amsterdam. The sex, drugs and blues of those and earlier days eventually took their toll and around 1992 he was pronounced HIV-positive. As he says himself, he was guilty of all sins except murder. Since then, however, he has renounced alcohol and drugs. In 1993 he settled in Dordrecht, where he still lives today in his first home of his own.
His first Europian cd was Fugitive Love Songs (Tombstone Records – 1993). Three years later, his next studio album Who’s Fooling Who was released under Munich Records. He recorded seven albums for Munich Records, often in one take. His most recent studio album was released in 2012: Life in D-Minor.
Michael de Jong’s music has not remained quite the same through the years. Whereas in his early years he was more influenced by fifties blues and rockabilly, today he mainly plays solo, a little more subdued and with a raw, lived-in voice in which love and sorrow resound, accompanied by bluesy guitar riffs. In his lyrics, he sometimes dares to denounce the decay of society, while at other times his rough life experiences and faith are a source of inspiration. He carries his father in his arms and when he has some free time, he devotes it to, as he says himself, God’s masterpiece: women. He is a strong advocate of “affordable” music. On his website, for example, he even makes unreleased albums available for free.

Michael de Jong in the Lingehuis at Geldermalsen on 7 February 2015: ‘An Evening With The Blues’.
Tekst: Paul Scholman / Foto’s en Video: Bert Lek
Henk Demper, The spokesman of the foundation Betuws Blues & Jazz promotion opened the evening with the announcement that the Lingehuis is available one more time for a beautiful blues evening in Geldermalsen. That will be on April 7th when Spencer Bohren will close this long series and the foundation is forced to continue in the neighbouring village Meteren. There, the ‘MFC De Pluk’ is being built, which also offers space to a concert/film hall with 92 chairs, which can be slid into the wall. When the chairs are hidden, we can have 160 standing places.
Wat can I expect Michael de Jong? I do have a suspicion. I had seen Michael once about 13 years ago in ‘Het Dak’ in Leerdam and there I was very impressed by the man. A short time later again in the small hall of Muziekcentrum Vredenburg in Utrecht, where you had a perfect sound with excellent acoustics. Michael had just released the album ‘Park Bench Serenade’ at that time. My biggest question: is he still in voice? Yes, he is, as it turns out. Michael comes on stage, sits down, finds the light a bit too bright and it is quickly adjusted for him. There is Mountain of Love, ‘an oldie’ told Michael (My version…. he says). Train Don’t Run There Anymore, a compelling melancholic song, is the next in a long line of intriguing songs.
“I NEVER use any kind of a playlist. I kind of “feel” the place out for the first song and THAT one can be a surprise (even to myself”). He sounds almost the same as he did in 2002. Of course, Michael has lost some of his power, but it is more than enough to hold you and to listen and especially to keep your mouth shut. It seems as if nobody dares to say anything, that’s how quiet it is in the sold-out venue. The Michael venom can still be found in his songs.

Michael takes plenty of time between songs to tune his guitars, precise as he is, but you get something in return and even during the tuning it is quiet. Much of his new CD ‘Something For The Pain’ is played. One of the many highlights is the title track of this album. A technically high quality song in which Michael cunningly plays string by string with his left hand on the neck, but in an up-tempo sort of way and then the lyrics, which are not based on rhyme schemes. It’s about something. Often it’s about how he looks at life, what he feels, what he experiences. In terms of politics, religion, pain, and everything is played with equal intensity and sung subdued, exuberantly or fiercely when it has to be, when wrongs are denounced by him.
He can also be vindictive, as it turned out. He had a conflict with Munich records, which made him decide to put his CDs from that period on his own website as a free download. Even at the end of the concert a medley of Buddy Holly with the question if it is bad that he is going to play that with possibly a mistake, but the fun splashes off. Then he also plays a solid encore where the sparks really fly off. The gratitude of the audience is a minutes standing ovation to a man who deserves a much bigger status that he has now. The Dutch Blues Foundation gets a kick out of him. I have been saying for years that the man should at least be in the Hall of Fame, that he should receive an oeuvre award, given the state of service he has built up, also on the other side of the pond where they invented the blues, but especially here in the Netherlands. He has been playing in the Netherlands for about 20 years now and has made a mountain of CDs that no bluesman or woman can match. The intensity is great, he is always original and so it never gets boring. He thinks that there were two people within these borders who were qualified for it. Harry Muskee and according to good custom and modesty Michael names himself, in my opinion quite rightly, as the number two.

The man breathes blues and has lived on the fringes of society. On the streets, with booze and drugs, read our recent interview with him, but should he continue to be condemned and not honoured for it? If we, as a progressive blues country, want to continue to take ourselves seriously and be taken seriously by our neighbouring countries and the great country from which the blues originates, we should look at what the man has achieved and not become the laughing stock by sweeping this gem under the carpet! My opinion is that Michael de Jong should be honoured when he was alive and not posthumously! As far as I am concerned, the lobby has been restarted… Perhaps there are blueslovers who do not know him, but in the coming weeks and months they will have the chance to put that right and to appreciate him.
I have listed some remarks after the concert that do justice to this excellent evening of blues:

- “Believe that we had a very special blues evening. Sold out Lingehuis, quiet room, almost 3 hours of breathtaking blues, beautiful songs, a lot of improvisation, passion, heart. Blues straight from the heart! Man, what a concert! Enjoying an absolute top evening to the fullest!”
- “You have really missed out. It was a performance to remember. You don’t see them like that much any more”.
- “Lovely evening of hell and damnation.”
- “What a great evening!”
- “Still razor-sharp this man. Wonderful to see and to listen to”.
- “The guitar case is especially beautiful, if it could talk?”
- “He is already 70 and then he just starts at 20.30 and with only a small interruption continues until 23.45. Hats off”.
- “It was a special evening in such a provincial town as Geldermalsen: Michael de Jong performed in the Lingehuis and it was great to watch and listen to this man and the people…they were quiet as a mouse and impressed.”
- “Some lyrics give you goose bumps….”
- “I feel privileged to be able to attend such concerts…”

Website Michael de Jong
Michael de Jong – “Almost Rained Today”

Bluesstage ColourRichinWijk

Since 2011 BluesinWijk has been one of the participants of the festival KleurrijkuitinWijk on the 1st Saturday of September. Initially with a stage at the Market, but in recent years at the Veldpoort bridge. The center of Wijk is then completely upside down and is visited by thousands of visitors. Just like in 2020 Corona threw a spanner in the works and we had to cancel the edition of Saturday, September 4, 2021. Two bands and two styles of music were on the program, for the Country lovers KENTUCKY SNAKE OIL and for the blues fans. SUGARBOY and the SINNERS. In 2022 we will try again.

KENTUCKY SNAKE OIL. Swinging fiddle, splashing banjo, polyphonic singing and a rhythm that makes it impossible to sit still (but you have to sit still): Kentucky Snake Oil brings an energetic mix of Bluegrass, Country and American Folk music. The band plays a varied repertoire that includes songs by Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Hank Williams and Mumford & Sons.

SUGARBOY and the SINNERS. The band’s energetic live shows have earned them a solid reputation among long-time blues fans and young festival audiences alike. Their style is a modern mix of classic blues with soul, funk and rock ‘n roll. This diverse sound has earned the band festival spots along with acts such as Robert Cray, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Gov’t Mule, Status Quo and Walter Trout. Although the band has only been touring professionally since 2011, Sugar Boy and the Sinners have already played festivals and venues in Belgium, Germany, France, Italy and the United States. The long-awaited debut album was released in January 2014 with a release party at the world-famous Paradiso venue in Amsterdam.

Phil Gates Band (USA)

Significantly less paying visitors due to the 1.5 m measure are currently making it too expensive for some indoor festivals to bring 🇺🇸 bands over. The NL tour of Phil Gates in Calypso in March is unfortunately cancelled. We will try again in 2023.

Phil Gates is another blues musician who has been on our wish list for years. And suddenly we manage to book him and his band at a time when Theatre Calypso is available. On a Sunday afternoon of course. Always a good time to enjoy a fine band.

Phil Gates was born in Chicago Ill., into a family of musicians that helped form his music style, and ability. Phil began playing musical instruments at the age of eight, and listening to a wide array of music has always been his main source of inspiration. Phil has played venues from small clubs, to the U.S. Air Force’s “Tops in Blue” World Tour, which performed in sixteen countries as well as the halftime show of the NFL Superbowl.

Phil has performed at many venues all over the world with his band. Also, the band was featured for five consecutive years on Hornblower Cruise’s “Friday Night Blues Dinner Cruise”.

Phil’s style is reminiscent of the early high energy Buddy Guy, mixed with a special blend of flavors from Jazz, Fusion, New Orleans, and the Chicago, Delta, and Mississippi Blues styles.

The Phil Gates Band won the “Beale Street Blues Kings” Competition in Memphis, and competed in the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge.

Phil has been steady contributor to the Blues Community in Southern California. He founded the Los Angeles Blues Society, and has been a valued judge for the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, and also at many of the Guitar Center “King of the Blues” competitions in Hollywood, CA

Phil has also performed at great venues such as B.B. King’s, Cozy’s, Biscuits and Blues San Francisco, Highway 99 Seattle, WA, The Coach House, CA, The Monterey Bay Blues Festival, The Santa Clarita Blues Festival, The Topanga Canyon Blues Festival, The Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival, The Blues Music Awards Blind Raccoon Showcase, The Blues Nights Gossau(Blues Festival in Gossau, Switzerland), The Rock und Blues Festival in Gams, Switzerland.

Phil had the opportunity in his early years to listen and study great talent. As front of house engineer at the Caravan of Dreams Performing Arts Centre in Fort Worth, Texas, Phil worked with some of Blues and Jazz’s greatest performers to include: Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert King, Dizzie Gilespie, Wynton & Branford Marsalis, Kevin Eubanks, Eartha Kitt, Dianne Reeves, Bobby “Blue” Bland, and many others.

In the studio, Phil has been busy working on the follow up to the successful releases of “Phil Gates Live in the Danube Delta”, “The Twelve Rhythms”, “Phil Gates Live at The Hermosa Saloon”,“Addicted To The Blues”, and “In The Mean Time…” many of which, though not nominated, were all on the Grammy Ballot in their respective years as one of a few titles in their Category.

Phil is an accomplished session guitarist, performing on such projects as the Philip Bailey CD “Life & Love”, also with artists Kellie Blaise, Billy Shields, Maurice White, Zac Harmon, Preston Glass, L.A. Stlyz and Seabron.

His session work playing guitar has included many tracks with artists such as: Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle, Melba Moore, Freddie Jackson, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Deniece Williams, Jody Watley, Howard Hewett, Teddy Pendergrass, Brian McKnight, Ruben Studdard and Maurice White.

As a Producer, Co-Produced the award winning Blues record “The Blues According to Zacariah” with Zac Harmon, and recently has been a Co-Producer on a CD project with Little Richard. Phil also Produced the “Too Much Car For the Road” CD for Toni Dodd, “Urban Legacy” CD for Julia Jordan, daughter of renowned guitarist Stanley Jordan (who also performed on the CD). Also Phil scored an AFI film “My Normal Life”. Not to mention he has many CD’s of his own music to include “This Side Of Me”, “Should I?”, “Addicted To The Blues” ,“In The Mean Time…” , “Phil Gates Live at The Hermosa Saloon”,”The Twelve Rhythms”, and Phil gates Live In The Danube Delta”- all available on Apple iTunes, and digital audio outlets world-wide.

Phil has five endorsements with Ernie Ball/MusicMan Guitars, Evertune Bridges, Roland Corporation/BOSS, Lunastone Pedals, Janicek pics, and Ultimate Support music stands respectively.

Phil is currently the Vice President of Music and Media for the James Marshall Hendrix Foundation. (www.jimihendrixfoundation.com).

Phil is also the Signature Band for the Sickle Cell Foundation of Orange County; for many years a strong relationship, and a great charity to help bring awareness to.

Phil is a dedicated, hard working professional entertainer that has proven time and time again, that his being dependable, and being able to work well with others can be an asset in wide array of musical endeavors.

BluesPubTour 2021

NINE HOURS NON-STOP BLUES

34 MUSICIANS – 10 BANDS – 2 DJ’S

7 LOCATIONS

CANCELLED DUE TO CORONA

Update November 16, 2021.

With some difficulty due to the Corona measures in place at the time, we were able to put together a nice program for the 10th Blues Pub Crawl on November 27th.

What we could not foresee were the dramatic developments regarding infections, hospitalizations and a serious disruption of health care.

The new measures as of November 13 have a serious impact. Especially for the restaurants and bars with closing at 20.00, fixed seating, no events after 18.00 and Corona checks.

If we look at this new situation through the glasses of the Blues Pub Crawl, then all the merriment and conviviality of going from pub to pub with your friends will be completely destroyed. The catering industry and we quickly came to the conclusion that the program as we had envisioned it would not be feasible. Within the catering industry there was still an idea for an afternoon program with acoustic blues in the pubs and restaurants until 20.00 and then continue in the theater.

However, based on the number of visitors to be expected (a few hundred at most), the many movements in the venues and the contact moments between them, this is exactly what the new Corona measures want to prevent. The OMT’s advice is crystal clear. In order to reduce the rapid increase in infections and the increase in hospital and ICU admissions, it is necessary to significantly reduce the number of contacts and the degree of infection in the coming weeks. Mutual distance standards are essential for this.

As far as we are concerned, organizing a blues festival at this time is therefore at odds with these principles and we have decided to cancel the organization of the Blues Pub Crawl 2021.

Very unfortunate, but that’s how it is and next year we will have new opportunities.

Last year the blues party of Wijk bij Duurstede had to be cancelled due to Corona, but Saturday, November 27, 2021 the pubs in the center of Wijk will be filled with the blues again. For the 10th time Foundation Blues in Wijk and the catering industry together organize the now traditional Wijkse Blueskroegentocht. Ever since the first edition in 2010 this blues event has been a great success with visitors from Wijk and far beyond. Blues fans experience the variety of blues types, relaxed atmosphere, and short walking distances as particularly attractive. In the afternoon and evening, one can hop between theaters, cafes, and restaurants for nine hours and enjoy excellent blues. Traditionally, the city carillon also sounds blues throughout the day. So plenty to do. More information on www.bluesinwijk.nl. In all participating restaurants and cafes there are flyers with playing times and a map. Admission is free, visitors are checked at the door for their Corona admission ticket and all venues admit visitors up to 75% of their regular capacity.

Blues in the afternoon. The blues pub crawl kicks off at 3 pm with DJ’s BluesToon in theater Calypso as a warm-up for a performance from 4 pm by the Drenthe Blues band Easterfield. Five young guests who not only indulge in raw Blues-Rock, but also bring an ode to the now legendary blues icon Harry (Cuby) Muskee. One hour long Cuby + Blizzards songs from times long past. Lovers of more peaceful music can go to the other side of the Market from 17.00 hours. There, songwriter, singer and guitarist Stef Woestenenk plays cheerful and recognizable Blues, pop and rock classics from the 60s and 70s in café-restaurant de Engel.

Blues while eating. Between 17.00 and 21.00 hours it’s time for the inner man. At five places you can combine food & blues. In the Engel, Stef Woestenenk is still busy, at Café Ome Ko the Amerong blues friends Richard van Bergen and Klaas van Kuilenburg are playing, at Greek restaurant Mazi Mas the duo Duketown Slim & Fred van der Wende, in the Veldpoort there is a performance by trio The Bluetails and in Calypso DJ’s BluesToon are active again. For €7,50 you can get an Ultimate Blues Burger at Ome Ko and in Calypso there will also be something to eat. De Engel, Veldpoort and Mazi-Maz offer a blues menu for €25,-. Advance booking is recommended.

Blues in the evening. At 19.00 hrs. the blues trio Electric Hollers will be on stage in theater Calypso, from 21.00 hrs. Ticket West will be playing in café ‘t Hoff, in eethuys Dorestad the tables will be cleared for Fat Harry & the Fuzzy Licks and Gallagher fans can visit café Ome Ko with Bullfrog Taste Express. In theater Calypso, the American blues singer Sugar Queen and her band can be seen from 10 pm.

Closing times cafes. Because of the Corona measures, all pubs and restaurants must be empty and closed as of midnight. So we stop everywhere at 23.45 at the latest.

WELCOME!

If you’re coming to the Blues Pub Tour on November 27, you’ll need a corona admission ticket. Not fully vaccinated and 13 years or older? Then get tested for free at www.testenvoortoegang.org at the pharmacy Steenstraat 4 (Mon. to Fri. 08.00-17.00) and Achterstraat 4 (Thu. to Sat. 08.00-20.00 and Sun. to 13.00).

If you get hungry at the end of the afternoon, then you can enjoy a blues menu for €25,- at Restaurant de Veldpoort, Restaurant de Engel and Resurant Mazi-Mas. Reservations there are strongly recommended! Café Ome Ko serves the Ultimate BluesBurger and in theater Calypso they serve delicious snacks.

DJ duo Bas and Toon spin their favorite blues songs at 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. in theater Calypso.

34 MUSICIANS – 10 BANDS

SUGAR QUEEN in theater Calypso 22.00-23.45

Michele, known as Sugar Queen, is a versatile American vocalist and songwriter who has performed the blues in Europe, the US and Asia and is currently based in Belgium/Netherlands. At the beginning of her musical career, Michele studied classical piano and received a scholarship to do so. Her family roots are in North Florida where she developed a natural interest in gospel and blues. Staying true to her blues and gospel “roots”, she performed in churches throughout the southern US. While touring different parts of the US, she was chosen to perform at the historic “Mandela Released” event. During her time in the US, Michele also worked as a conductor/vocalist for various gospel and classical choirs in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia. After moving to Malaysia in 2006, she formed the blues and classic rock band Deuces Wild and during the Miri Jazz / Blues festival of the same year, she performed with the Singapore-based Universal Blues band. In 2007, she worked as a jazz singer with jazz pianist Yiang Yi Sock in Malaysia. In 2008, Michele had the honor of performing for the King of Malaysia, Tuan Yang Terutama. In 2009, Michele recorded a song with blues/rock artist Wang Wei (Rock Rhino) in Beijing, China for his CD “Wang Wei”. In 2016, Michele founded “Sugar Queen.” It was a collaboration of Belgian and Dutch blues artists and of course the American Sugar Queen. The ambition of the band is to interpret the Chicago blues sound. The debut CD 340 Blues reached the #4 position on the Chicago Blues Roots Music Charts with 5 debut songs ranking in the top 10 and remained on the charts for 12 weeks. In 2018, 340 Blues was at #9 on the Top Chicago Blues Album Chart. In 2019, Sugar Queen LIVE topped the charts and debuted at #5. In 2020, Sugar Queen was in the Top 40 Chicago Blues Albums list with the album ‘Sugar Queen Live’.

BULLFROG TASTE EXPRESS in café Ome Ko 21.00-23.45

Bullfrog Taste Express brings a musical tribute to one of the most influential guitarists in the history of rock. Central to this event is of course Rory Gallagher, the Irishman who unfortunately passed away much too soon and who, with his beat-up Strat, became a true icon in blues-rock.

THE BLUETAILS at the Veldpoort (blues menu €25) 18.00-21.00

We saw The Bluetails before at the Veldpoort. They are a Dutch blues band that started performing since 2012. Alex Jr plays guitar and does the vocals, Henk is on bass and upright bass and his son Dave is the drummer and percussionist. Alex and Henk have been performing together for several decades, best known as members of Big Will & the Bluesmen, a successful blues act in the blues history of the Netherlands. In 2014 they released the album Riverside Tales which was well received in the Dutch blues scene. Dave, the youngster, is the former drummer of We the Firm and gives The Bluetails’ rhythm an incredibly fresh and detailed foundation for the songs the band plays live on stage.

RICHARD van BERGEN & KLAAS van KUILENBURG in Café Ome Ko 18.00-20.00

Singer/guitarist Richard van Bergen is one of the front men of Shiner Twins, but he has also accompanied Dede Priest, Qeaux Qeaux Joans and many others. Not only does he have a beautiful voice, the sound is both raw and groovy and his purely own compositions sound both fresh and familiar. He gives familiar styles from the American South (delta blues, swamp blues, soul and boogie) a fresh injection of his own and knows how to avoid all clichés. Together with his Amerongen-Wijk guitarist and blues friend Klaas van Kuilenburg he now forms a duo. Delicious and infectious blues of two beautiful friends.

TICKET WEST in café ‘t Hoff 21.00-23.45

Ticket West is about two brothers who listened to blues records their father played at the family diner. After being in a blues and rock ‘n roll band together in their teens, the brothers each started their own music careers. Now, after more than 30 years, they are back together to focus on the blues again. Their interest in blues lies with the West coast style (William Clarke, Rod Piazza, James Harman) and in 2018 they hooked up with singer and harmonica player Gerrit Ekkelenkamp only to be later replaced by his mentee Harp Mitch after he moved to Portugal. Their first album “High Class Horse” which features Harp Mitch on vocals and harmonicas and Nathan James on guitar, was released in 2019. For their second album “Cab driving man” (release in 2021), they entered the studio with a variety of friendly musicians. While the first album is firmly rooted in the West coast style, their second also has a Chicago blues (Magic Sam, Elmore James, Eddy Taylor) tinge. Yet, modern West coast blues (Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Christ fast, Junior Watson) is not far away. Ticket West is about the brothers doing what they love most without being hindered by the need to become rich and famous. Just composing, recording and performing with friends and doing it to the best of their ability while keeping their blues alive after all these years.

EASTERFIELD (tribute to Cuby and the Blizzards) at Theatre Calypso 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Easterfield was founded in the summer of 2011 by Olaf de Groote (guitar) and cousins Bram Goeree (vocals) and Ruud Goeree (guitar), after a jam session in the local pub, where the gentlemen sometimes play together. Not much later Maikel Tanger (drums) and Kris Tiemens (bass) completed the band. Easterfield, whose members mainly come from Barger-Oosterveld, brings pure, raw blues-rock! With the combination of the warm and at the same time raw voice of the singer, howling and screaming guitar solos with razor sharp riffs, a grooving bass and tight drumming Easterfield treats the audience to a musical, uplifting and energetic show! The passion of the gentlemen and the unspoiled atmosphere on stage outline what Easterfield wants to achieve….

Ode to the legendary Dutch blues icon Harry Muskee. Brought to you by the Drenthe blues band Easterfield in a 60 minute show. Get carried away to bygone days when Dutch blues was first written. Thanks Cuby!

Easterfield consists of: Bram Goeree – vocals; Ruud Goeree – guitar; Olaf de Groote – guitar; Maikel Tanger – drums and Kris Tiemens – bass.

ELECTRIC HOLLERS in theater Calypso 19.00-21.00

Electric Hollers is a blues/rock sensation from the northern part of the Netherlands. Get ready to be blown away by a wall of vintage sound and energy! Heavy bass tones, thundering drums and guitar solos that take you back to times gone by. The band takes inspiration from bands like Led Zeppelin, Santana & Ten Years After. In 2018, the band released their debut album ‘Rise’. The release of this album garnered rave reviews and a full schedule, with highlights including a final place in the Dutch Blues Challenge, a support act with Ten Years After and the band played in front of thousands of visitors at Waterpop in Wateringen. Meanwhile, the band was working on a new and more mature album. In February 2020, the band released the second album ‘Electric Hollers’. This album focuses on a raw sound and a live feel. The release of the album was celebrated with a release show in a nearly sold out Neushoorn in Leeuwarden. After the release of the album the coronavirus put a stop to the many shows in the agenda but the band refuses to sit still. That’s why the band will release their first live album on vinyl in 2021 with five tracks from the release show in Neushoorn. Line-up: Tim Birkenholz – Lead vocals/guitar; Inge de Vries – Bass guitar/vocals andMax Mollema – Drums/vocals. Video.

FAT HARRY & THE FUZZY LICKS in eethuys Dorestad 21.00-23.45

Contemporary blues is probably the best description of the music of this experienced band from Rotterdam. It can not be classified in any particular category. Their latest album “Hard Lovin’ Man” (Continental Records) is full of diversity and self-written songs. The album features guest contributions from “The King Of Beale Street” Preston Shannon and Henry Oden on bass. At times funk, soul and rhythm & blues can be heard, before finally returning to old school blues. The domestic and foreign press wrote with superlatives. The band has not gone unnoticed across the ocean either.In 2007, the song “Drivin’ Machine” appeared on the sampler CD of the leading magazine “Big City Blues” and impressed Fat Harry’s playing in famous Chicago blues clubs like Buddy Guy’s Legends and the Kingston Mines. In 2009, things came full circle when Harry’s biggest musical influence Joe Louis Walker covered the song “Send You Back” written by Harry and his wife Denise on his album “Between A Rock & The Blues.” Joe also asked him to play rhythm guitar several times during gigs with his American band, but also regularly used the entire band.
Meanwhile, the band is indispensable in the top of the Dutch blues world and a welcome guest at festivals and clubs. For example, in 2015 Jan de Ligt won the Dutch Blues Award for saxophonist and Fat Harry was already nominated twice in the guitarist category. The band is also often asked by other renowned American artists to accompany them during European tours. In recent years they have worked with the late Preston Shannon, Lurrie Bell, Rip Lee Pryor and Joey Gilmore, among others. Other names that have been worked with include; Craig Horton, Sax Gordon, Tail Dragger, John Primer and Henry Oden. With Robbert Fossen and The Dynaflow respectively, Harry also accompanied Chick Rodgers and Super Chikan. Enough accomplished to look back on a fine musical career you would say. However, nothing is further from the truth. Fat Harry & The Fuzzy Licks continues to set their sights on the future and is always looking for new challenges. In 2019 the band was reinforced with Donald van der Goes on bass and Arjan van den Oever on keyboards.

STEF WOESTENENK in restaurant de Engel (blues menu €25) 17.00-20.00

Guitarist, singer, songwriter and writer, who besides a lot of handiwork also performs solo with a repertoire of blues, pop and rock classics from the 60s and 70s. His set list includes songs from artists such as: The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Steve Miller, The Band, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Santana, Al Stewart, The Who, Kinks, Small Faces, George Harrison, Simon & Garfunkel, Doobie Brothers, Everly Brothers, Pink Floyd, Blues Brothers, CSN&Y, CCR, etc.

DUKETOWN SLIM & FRED VAN DE WENDE at tavern Mazi-Mas (blues menu €25,-) 18.00-21.00

With his roots firmly planted in the Brabant city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch (aka Duketown), Imco Ceelen fell under the spell of acoustic blues. Starting out as a blues harp player in various bands and acoustic formations, this blues-loving Brabander quickly realized that he could get more out of the genre when he focused on traditional delta blues. With a resonator on his lap, a case full of blues harps and conjuring rhythms from the soles of his feet, Duketown Slim growls and sings his way through old classics. Songs by Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Big Bill Broonzy and other greats from the rich history of the blues are scrutinized, interspersed with authentic sounding original work. This bluesman proves that the blues doesn’t have to be all about misery when he serves up the genre with a cheerful wink and a smooth talk. In the past the music brought Duketown Slim throughout the Netherlands, Germany and various places in the United States. With his honest, raw voice and skilful guitar playing he is a must for every blues lover.

BLUES AT THE CARILON Town Hall Market (AD/UN 2015)

Blues4Kids

If Corona makes it possible, we will organise a blues performance for the pupils of primary school groups 6, 7 and 8 by Big Bo Brocken and Vera van Faassen.

They have succeeded in conveying the origin of the blues to children in a comprehensible and captivating way. In a beautifully decorated setting with atmospheric background images, traditional instruments, exciting anecdotes and old blues songs, they take the children on an exciting journey along the Mississippi.

The concerts are open exclusively to schoolchildren and their teachers.

Blues4Kids

If Corona makes it possible, we will organise a blues performance for the pupils from groups 6, 7 and 8 of primary school de Wegwijzer by Big Bo Brocken and Vera van Faassen.

They have succeeded in conveying the origins of the blues to children in a comprehensible and captivating way. In a beautifully decorated setting with atmospheric background images, traditional instruments, exciting anecdotes and old blues songs, they take the children on an exciting journey along the Mississippi.

The concerts are open to schoolchildren and their teachers only.

CD Release concert Guy Verlinde & The Artisans of Solace

PREMIERE FOR THE NETHERLANDS: a new band with a new album! Guy Verlinde (in the past Lightnin Guy) has been one of our regulars for years. In 2010, his premiere was in Wijk and after that he returned almost every year as a welcome guest. For his Dutch release of the CD of his new band Guy Verlinde & the Artisans of Solance, he chose our beautiful Calypso theatre in Wijk bij Duurstede.

Tickets show 19.00 hrs (Sold Out)

Ticketsshow 21.00 hrs (Sold Out)

We will initially sell 100 tickets. However, you can continue to make reservations so that we can put you on the waiting list. If there is a relaxation and we can admit more people, we will approach the people on the waiting list in order of reservation.

Over the past decade Guy Verlinde dominated the Belgian blues scene and toured non-stop through Europe with his band “The Mighty Gators”. He recorded 12 albums in 11 years and played in several prestigious clubs and at international festivals where he shared the stage with greats like: BB King, John Fogerty, Tony Joe White, Santana, John Hiatt, Canned Heat, Jeff Beck … In recent years, he toured in a small line-up with the acoustic songs from his album “All Is Forgiven” and showed that besides the Blues, he is also at home in the Americana music & singer-songwriter genre.

The album Standing In The Light of a Brand-new Day is a new step in his musical and textual evolution. His love for acoustic music remains unchanged, but since this album is more arranged, he felt the need to invite additional musicians to play these songs live.

The Artisans of Solace are a host of top musicians with whom he has travelled many musical miles in the past. The rhythm section consists of Karl Zosel and Benoit Maddens, who were also the backbone of “The Mighty Gators”. In addition, the two versatile multi-instrumentalists Tom Eylenbosch and Olivier Vander Bauwede, who are masters of colouring with sound, form the musical backbone of the band.

It will be a concert full of stories about love, loss, hope, resurrection … but above all about the positive power of music. A concert not to be missed with dreamy, acoustic, narrative songs that grab you by the throat. Here is a foretaste with The unsung: (about unsung heroes)

Line-up: Guy Verlinde: vocals, guitar & banjo, Benoit Maddens: drums & percussion, Karl Zosel: bass, Tom Eylenbosch: piano & banjo and Olivier Vander Bauwede: harmonica & guitar.

Guy Verlinde successfully back in Calypso

Guy Verlinde’s relationship with BluesinWijk goes back to the very beginning of the Wijk Bluesclub. In many formations, from solo to full band The Mighty Gators, Guy Verlinde was always an engaging and enthusiastic trendsetter of many a performance. Who remembers the unleashed singer-guitarist of The Mighty Gators, whipping up the audience by standing on one of the big boxes in front of the stage at the Museum Dorestad? Or his presence at the Bluescruise? His course “The Origins of the Blues” at the Revius Lyceum? Over the years, Guy’s repertoire has changed, he has developed his own style, his lyrics have become even more profound and the sympathetic performer still proves to be a crowd pleaser pur sang. This time he performed with his new formation, who convincingly performed their corona-produced album ‘Standing in the Light of a Brand New Day’ for an attentive audience.

Special

Finally, after a long time without concerts, Friday night in Calypso was back to perform. Admittedly not to a full house yet, but with two almost identical performances in a row, 2 x 50 visitors were treated to a special concert with mainly work from his new recent album.

Special because the composition of his band consists of two members of the trio with which he recorded his previous album ‘All is Forgiven’: Guy Verlinde – guitar & vocals and Olivier Vander Bauwende – harmonica & guitar, complemented by the rhythm section of the former The Mighty Gators, bassist Karl Zosel and Benoit Maddens – drums & percussion. Tom Eylenbosch – piano & banjo has been added as the fifth band member. Special also because they make very different music than with the Gators.

The concert began with a beautiful harmonic chord that swelled into a beautiful wall of delicious sound. This turned out to be the start of an evening of music like the audience had never heard before, with beautiful sustained soundscapes and then again playful and full of rhythm. In short, a wonderful evening during which Guy often explained beforehand why he had written that particular song. Guy himself also mentioned the fine relationship and special bond he has with our beautiful theater Calypso and all the volunteers of BluesinWijk who make every performance here a celebration and especially chairman Arie Verheul who first brought him to Wijk bij Duurstede more than 11 years ago.

Soon you will be able to watch this concert, as well as all the other concerts, in the archive on the BluesinWijk website. I am already looking forward to that.

Text: Anton Rekké Photo report Rob Neleman.

Bluescruise with JJ Sharp & Friends

Our Bluescruises have been a great success for years with beautiful views of the beautifully green floodplains and towns along the Lek and the Rhine, passing through the locks at Amerongen, impressive landscapes along the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, cheerful atmosphere on board, great blues musicians and a fantastic buffet.View photos from our 2019 cruise here.

Departure 1:30 pm. Disembarkation approximately 7:30 pm.

Free parking at the city harbor.

SOLD OUT

DUE TO ILLNESS, A FEW TICKETS HAVE BECOME AVAILABLE. CALL 06-21132560 OR MAIL TO INFO@BLUESINWIJK.NL

For a long time it was unclear whether or not the cruise could go ahead. Fortunately, the new Corona measures make it possible to once again host events without the 1.5 m spacing with up to 75% of regular admission if accompanied by a Corona admission ticket. We are happy to make use of that opportunity and in consultation with the shipping company it has been decided to let the cruise go ahead. We are very happy with that. Meanwhile, some 200 reservations have been received. They were the first to have the opportunity to order tickets in the presale. The tickets that were still available went on sale as of October 4.

Bluescruise admission only with Corona ticket + ID.

Admission to this fine blues festival is available only if you are Be provided with a valid Corona QR code and ID. We check at the entrance to the boat. So there is no 1.5 meter space kept on the Salvinia and there are no fixed seats.
With a corona access certificate, you prove that you have been vaccinated, or tested negative, or that you have had corona before. You can put this proof (a QR code) on your smartphone using the CoronaCheck app. Prefer a paper certificate? A paper certificate is useful if you don’t have a smartphone. You can print a paper certificate via www.coronacheck.nl.
Don’t have a vaccination certificate or recovery certificate? Then you need a negative test certificate. You must then get tested. You can arrange that through testenvoortoegang.org. The test must be taken within 24 hours, but no later than two hours before the event. Did you test negative? Then you can get the test result via the Coronacheck app or via www.coronacheck.nl convert to a corona access card.

Tijdsloten

We aim to be able to complete the CoronaCheck and access control for the 200 visitors in 45 minutes. In order to avoid long lines, we will do this in 3 time slots of a quarter of an hour. The Corona Check before you step onto the gangway, the access control on the boat itself. You can check in from 12.45 pm onwards.
We check by order of thefirst letter of the last name of the person who bought the tickets . So if your last name is different from the person who bought the tickets for you (e.g., a family or friend group) you will use the ticket buyer’s time slot.
12.45 pm last name A to L

1.00 pm last name M to Schaap

1.25 pm last name Schevers to Z

J.J.SHARP & FRIENDS.

For the musical interpretation, we asked blues musician Jan Scherpenzeel (aka J.J. Sharp) to provide the program. Naturally, he presented his own, recently active, Twelve Bar Blues Band, accompanied with the blues duo The Men Unplugged and guitar phenomenon Marcel Scherpenzeel.

The Twelve Bar Blues Band

The Twelve Blues Band has been around since 2005 and grew into one of the leading bands in the Dutch blues. They released 4-CD’s, until in 2015 the cake was finished and the band called it a day after a successful farewell tour. They received a Dutch Blues Awards for best blues band 2010 and Awards for best guitarist (Kees Dusink) and best bassist (Patrick ‘Sideburn’ Obrist). All blues-loving NL was pleasantly surprised this year with the announcement of a Reunion Tour in almost the line-up from 2015 with Jan (J.J. Sharp) Scherpenzeel (voice and harmonica), Kees Dusink (guitar), Patrick ‘Sideburn’ Obrist (bas) en Jeffrey van Duffelen (drums). New is the Hague guitarist Peter Langerak. Those who saw the men at work again recently are, without exception, happy to be back with their repertoire from the four CDs, supplemented by the occasional beautiful classic blues cover. In 2010 and 2011 the band had been seen in Wijk before and guitarist Kees Dusink we also saw with his then band already in 2017 at the Bluescruise and in 2016 and 2018 at BluesAtTheNeighbors.

The Men Unplugged

The Men Unplugged are Gerrit van de Spaan on guitar, voice and George Reijnders on the bluesharp. The duo has a sound all its own and plays honest songs with blues traditionals and their own work. Atmospheric blues with the sound of the old masters. Also no strangers in Wijk. In 2015 they stood during the BluesPubTour in café Ome Ko.

Marcel Scherpenzeel

Marcel Scherpenzeel has been making music for about twenty years. It started with the Marcel Scherpenzeel Band, then came Wolfpin and from 2009 he toured all of Europe with the Band of Friends. In it he played with bassist Gerry McAvoy and Ted McKenna, former members of Rory Gallagher’s backing band. In 2015, they were in theater Calypso. McAvoy played with the Irishman for over twenty years and described Marcel as a guitarist who comes closest to Rory in his experience. Since 2020 Marcel has been touring the country again with his own band.

WHAT A PARTY IT BECAME!

After much preparation, Sunday morning October 24th was finally the day. At 09.30 the Salvinia was ready in the Wijkse Stadshaven and we could start setting up, preparing the stage, welcoming the musicians and everything else that goes with an event. Everyone was looking forward to it and as an extra cherry on the cake it was also just very nice sailing weather. Virtually no wind, sunshine and 13c outside temperature. After more than 1,5 years of Corona, we were finally allowed to have a nice blues party again. And a beautiful party it was with the 200 blues lovers, great musicians and a fantastic crew. Below articles from Wijks Nieuws and BluesMagazine. More pictures and movies in our archive.

Text: André Wittebroek / Photography: Wim Robben (kleur), Willem van de Kraats (zwart/wit).

Foundation Blues in Wijk was founded in 2009 by a bunch of enthusiastic blues fans and organizes about 10 bluese events a year in theater Calypso, in the catering industry, on the Lek, in living rooms and on outdoor stages.

The Blues river cruise is held on the river Lek and this year for the sixth time. Last year the cruise could not take place because of the Corona restrictions but fortunately the organization got the green light now. However, with a 75% capacity of 200 people, and participants had to be able to show a corona vaccination.

That the organization has arranged everything perfectly is immediately apparent when entering the ship Salvinia of shipping company Feenstra. In three blocks, in alphabetical order of last name, people spread out to enter the ship. This goes very smoothly and quickly. Departure is at 13.30 and at 19.30 one is back in Wijk bij Duurstede.

Roelof Hummel from BluesinWijk welcomes everyone and tells them that this is an anniversary cruise because exactly today, October 24, BluesinWijk exists 12½ years. In honor of that anniversary, every visitor will receive a CD with the volunteers’ favorite blues songs when they leave the ship. Nice gesture!!!

Three bands will perform this afternoon: The Men-Unplugged, The Twelve Bar Blues Band en Marcel Scherpenzeel.

After the Salvinia casts off the mooring lines, The Men-Unplugged starts first. It consists of Gerrit van der Spaan on guitar and vocals and George Reijnders blues harp. It is a semi-acoustic duo and they play traditional classics such as Got My Mojo Working, House Of The Rising Sun, When My Guitar Gently Weeps, Going Up The Country, supplemented with their own songs. It’s a nice acoustic set. Very well played and the sound is nice and clear and perfectly tuned. Gerrit is a fine guitarist, has been playing since he was twelve and his singing is fine, the mouth harp playing of George Reijnders is beyond question. A wonderful set of three quarters of an hour until the lock at Amerongen. The audience thanks them with a heartfelt applause.

Not everyone is watching all the time, people are also enjoying the truly beautiful weather on deck and the sound of the performances can be heard perfectly there too. What a stroke of luck, the most beautiful day of the month and that on the anniversary cruise!

Immediately following The Men-Unplugged, the Twelve Bar Blues Band began on the stage next door. After having stopped for a few years, they started again in the almost old line-up with Jan Scherpenzeel aka JJ Sharp singing and mouth harp, Kees Dusink guitar, Jeffrey van Duffelen drums, Patrick “Sideburn” Obrist bass guitar and Peter Langerak guitar.

The band begins with the delightful shuffle I can Make Everything Allright and it’s as if they haven’t been away for five years. The familiar 12BBB sound, with those wonderful grooves, beautiful voice, solid bass, tight drums and great guitar work is still there. (Yours truly was at the recordings for Bluesmoose Radio and I hear the same great sound. Those recordings have been viewed millions of times worldwide and are getting very positive feedback. See also article about the 12BBB in the last Blues newspaper with detailed information).One plays a fantastic set with Standing on Melting Ice, Down to The Station, The Thrill Has Gone, He’s a Bluesman, Life Is Hardand everything is in that set: shuffle, slow blues, uptempo, funkyblues. JJ. Sharp talks the songs together pleasantly and interacts well with the audience.

Then it immediately continues on the other stage with guitarist/singer Marcel Scherpenzeel, Scherpenzeel is his uncle! It will be another fine performance, it is acoustic and Marcel’s voice comes across well because of the perfectly tuned sound. And that voice is good this afternoon! He starts the set with Cradle Rock. He tells us that he played eight years with Band Of Friends with Gerry McAvoy and the unfortunately deceased Ted McKenna, former members of the band of Rory Gallagher. He quit last year but still joins in when someone is sick. Covers such as Ring Of Fire, Rockin’ In A Free World, Foxy Lady and the sing-along Beasts pass by.

Then a fine buffet dinner is served in the restaurant and it’s intermission. After yours truly has eaten and is heading towards the stage, The Men Unplugged has been going on for a while and their second set is almost over. In total there is almost six hours of music and then you sometimes miss something….

The 12BBB begins their second set with Twelve Bar Blues,Wang Dang Doodle, Spoonful and others and it is just like the first set great. Then, at 6:15 p.m., Marcel Scherpenzeel, now with electric guitar, joins the band and it starts to get really great with wonderful, drawn-out jams. The enjoyment of all the musicians is overwhelming. They are real jams because between songs they discuss how and what to play. Jan or Marcel regularly assign someone to play a guitar or mouth harp solo. George Reijnders and Gerrit van der Spaan also join in. Songs like Tore Down, Trouble Trouble, Can’t Get Enough Of That Girl, Key To Your Heart pass by in wonderfully long versions with enough room for each musician to excel. They close with the classic Sweet Home Alabama and then the ship has long been docked again and until 20.00 they play on and then after about six hours of music, the cruise is over.

Conclusie:
It was fantastic. Everything was right today: perfect organization, great musicians, top sound, great food and very friendly and good-humored audience. As a dessert the weather was beautiful. All in all a very successful blues river cruise thanks to BluesinWijk.

(P.S.: Actually, it was not my intention to write a review, but it was so much fun from the start that I put something on paper anyway. Unprepared and I hope that names and songs are correct! If not, excuse).

BLUES AT THE NEIGHBORS

Cancelled due to Corona. New date 20 June 2021.

BLUES at the NEIGHBORS 2020

Wijk bij Duurstede 3e edition Sunday afternoon 18 Oktober 2020

Wat is Blues at the Neighbors? Blues at the Neighbors is a Living Room Blues Festival which will take place Sunday, October 18 between 13.00 and 17.00 in all the cores of the municipality of Wijk bij Duurstede. In 2016 and 2018 we organised this before and both times it became a huge success with no less than 25 living rooms and bands. On this Sunday afternoon living rooms throughout Wijk bij Duurstede transform into intimate stages and everyone can listen to special performances by Blues talents. The performances are all free to visit.

Why is there Blues at the Neighbors? Blues on the Neighbors The Blues Festival was launched in 2016 to encourage residents to open their doors to each other and to enjoy Blues music together, without any financial barriers. The festival wants to promote the liveability within the different neighbourhoods and shows how hospitable a city and its inhabitants are. During Blues bij de Buren you don’t only meet the inhabitants of the city, but you also get to know all the beautiful things the city has to offer musically in the intimate atmosphere of the living room. Blues music connects people and is a cultural form par excellence that passes by all walks of life, ages, colours, and tastes.

Who organises it? Blues at the Neighbors is organized by BluesinWijk. Together with many volunteers they make Wijk bij Duurstede one big living room.

When am I eligible to participate in Blues on the Neighbors? Blues at the Neighbors is open to all musicians with a clear link to blues music, all blues music styles are welcome. You do need to have some level of experience. It should be fun for everyone to listen to you.

What time and how often do I play? You play three performances of approx. 45 minutes and there is half an hour between each performance. 13.30-14.15 / 14.45-15.30 / 16.00-16.45 hrs.

Can I also play in my own living room? Yes you can, the most important thing is that besides you there are at least two people who take on the role of host and/or hostess.

I have arranged my own living room, may I? Yes, if you know someone who would like you to play at their house, that’s more than fine. That living room has to sign up first. Please indicate this clearly in the mail.

Do I have to play acoustically to participate in Blues at the Neighbors? Not necessarily, although it is easier to find a room for an acoustic performance than for an amplified Blues concert. Tell us in the mail what you can do, who knows we will find a room where you can play at full strength.

What about the technique? You take care of the technique yourself.

Do I get paid for the performance? No, as much as we think that musicians should get all the appreciation, you can imagine that with fees for 20 groups Blues on the Neighbors becomes unaffordable. However, you can claim for the travel expenses you incur.Per living room we go around with the cap in favor of the blues artist. Of course we will include you in all our publicity and we will also highlight a number of artists in the run-up to the festival.

What happens after I sign up? You will be informed within two weeks whether you have been selected. At the beginning of September we will make the link (match) with the living rooms. Only then will we know whether your participation is definitive.

Is a website or facebook page a condition? No, but we do want to get a good idea of who you are and what kind of music you make. That way we can make a good match with a living room. Without a link to your music, we cannot judge you. You can also send us a CD

Do I really have to come from Wijk bij Duurstede to play? With Blues at the Neighbors, we want to give the local and regional blues a boost. Therefore, we prefer artists from the Utrecht region. Not from Wijk bij Duurstede? No problem, just sign up. No you can’t, yes you can!

May I play amplified music? Over 90% of the performances at Blues at the Neighbors are semi-acoustic. It is therefore preferred that the artist adjusts his performance accordingly. Often the semi-acoustic character fits the intimate setting of the living room very well.

How many shows do I have to play? We expect you to play the same performance three times. Each performance should last no longer than 45 minutes!

How can I register? Send an mail to info@bluesinwijk.nl with the name of your band/act, name of contact person, number of persons, address, postcode and city, telephone, e-mail and website, number of m2 needed, piano needed?, have you arranged a living room where you will play, if so where. We will then contact you.

Blues at the Neighbors

The living room blues festival Blues bij de Buren on Sunday, June 20 is NOT GOING.

Despite the announcement of relaxing the rules in the press conference on Tuesday, May 11, there are still too many restrictions to make the organization of Blues bij de Buren possible: 1,5 meters distance and 6 visitors per living room (government roadmap) are playing tricks on us. In addition, the many human movements, about 600 people per break, cause additional contamination risks. Safety and health of participants and visitors is paramount and forces Blues in Wijk to move the event again.

During the preparations of the festival we have again noticed that among the participants, both the hosts/women and the musicians, the enthusiasm to participate is very high. We are therefore definitely planning to organize the event again but under “normal” circumstances. Sometime in the spring of 2022, we will make room in our programming for the third edition of Blues at the Neighbors. When the pandemic restrictions are behind us we will pick a date and let you know as soon as possible. Too bad, but that’s just the way it is.

BLUES at the Neighbors was in 2016 and 2018 an enormous success with dozens of bands in as many living rooms in Cothen and Wijk bij Duurstede.
Unfortunately, we had to cancel the 2020 edition due to Corona. On Sunday afternoon, June 20, 2021, we will try again. Twenty bands and living rooms have already signed up. In May it will be announced which acts will play in which living rooms. In the meantime, we will keep a close eye on the news reports concerning the Corona measures and at the end of May/beginning of June we will decide whether the 3rd edition will take place or not.

The living rooms will be transformed into real ‘Juke-Joints’ where everyone can listen from 13:00 to 17:00 hrs. to special performances by blues musicians, who will perform 3 times for 45 minutes. A unique blues event for the Netherlands! Admission in all living rooms is free. The bands play without a fee. During each set a hat is passed around in which you can make a donation.

The living rooms (or, weather permitting, in the garden) are distributed throughout the municipality of Wijk bij Duurstede. In Langbroek there are two addresses on the Langbroekerdijk, in Cothen three addresses, in the Wijk outer area three places along the Amerongerwetering, in the Wijk inner city three addresses and nine addresses spread over the residential areas.

Bands that are present in any case: Ralph de Jongh, Gumbo & the Monk, Charles Adrian Band, Ramshackle Bluesband, the Caverns, Ticket West, S-uzi’s Crew, The Square Keys, Blues and Bones, the Old Boys, Big Daddy, Carolina and the Bluesmen, Basic Station, the Vaults, Muddy Ground, Without Johnny, Kozzeltof, Vintage Brothers, Blues After Seven and Rock-As.

Information for living room owners.

- In principle, anyone who lives in the municipality of Wijk bij Duurstede can apply.
- Almost all living rooms are suitable, big or small. As long as there is a suitable musician for you.
- You can also play in your own living room, the important thing is that besides you there are at least two people who take on the role of host and/or hostess.
- When you participate in Blues bij de Buren you open your doors to enjoy the Blues musicians together with other inhabitants of the city without any financial barriers. If your living room is full during a performance, you can indicate this outside with a rotating sign, which you or the host/hostess can hang on your window.
- After registration you will receive a message from BluesinWijk for a home visit. This will assess if your living room is suitable enough. At the beginning of April we will match the selected musicians to the selected living rooms. You will receive a message whether your participation is definite or not. In the beginning of June there will be an information meeting.
- In principle, BluesinWijk will not provide anything in terms of equipment for your performance at Blues bij de Buren. The band has to take care of this themselves.
- Of course you can also arrange a blues musician yourself. Please register the musician via the mail info@bluesinwijk.nl

Information for musicians:

- Blues at the Neighbors is open to all musicians with a clear link to blues music, all blues music styles are welcome. You do need to have a certain level of experience. It should be fun for everyone to listen to you.
- You can also play in your own living room, the important thing is that besides you there are at least two people who take on the role of host and/or hostess.
- If you know someone who would like you to play with her/him, that is more than fine. That living room has to sign up first. Please indicate this clearly in the mail.
- Preference is given to a (semi) acoustic performance. Complete amplified Bluesconcert in consultation. Tell us in the mail what you can do, who knows we can find a living room where you can play at full strength.
- You take care of the technology yourself.
- As much as we believe that musicians should get all the credit, you can imagine that with so many acts Blues bij de Buren becomes unaffordable. However, you can claim for the travel expenses you incur.
- Per living room we will go around with the hat for the benefit of the blues artist. We will of course include you in all our publicity and will also highlight a number of artists in the run-up to the festival.
- You will be informed whether you have been selected within two weeks after applying. At the beginning of April we will make the link (match) with the living rooms. Only then will we know whether your participation is final.
- To get a good idea of who you are and what kind of music you make, it is useful to have a Facebook page or website. This way we can also make a good match with a living room. Without a link to your music, we cannot judge you. You can also send us a CD.
- With Blues bij de Buren, we want to give the local and regional blues a boost. Therefore, we prefer artists from the Utrecht region. Not from the area near Duurstede? No problem, just sign up. No you can’t, yes you can!
- Over 90% of the performances at Blues bij de Buren are semi-acoustic. It is therefore preferred that the artist adjusts his performance accordingly. Often the semi-acoustic character fits the intimate setting of the living room very well.
- You can promote your own performance via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, flyers, posters…and so on! Want to know more? Please contact: info@bluesinwijk.nl

Bernard Allison Band in Calypso

European tours 2020 in 2021 cancelled due Corona.

The great Chicago bluesman, Luther Allison, lived by a simple philosophy that he loved to share (“Leave your ego, play the music, love the people”). Now, twenty-three years after Luther’s passing, the great man would surely be delighted to hear Bernard Allison’s Songs From The Road, and proud that his ferociously talented son is sworn to accomplish the same mission, to bring infused, all-encompassing blues to the audience that needs it more than ever.

“I actually prefer live performances,” Bernard says, “because you can communicate and interact with the audience. I basically feed off that energy, combined with the talent and personalities of my band.”

You may know the songs – but you don’t know these interpretations. With Bernard leading the lineup on vocals and a blazing lead guitar, backed by Dylan Salfer (guitar), George Moye (bass), Mario Dawson (drums) and José James (sax/percussion), this is a live band whose chemistry allows them to stretch and shake up these classic songs. “Fans who know our song choices will notice the change in arrangements that highlight my current band members,” Bernard says. “As opposed to hearing the studio versions, which usually feature my vocals and guitar. We are the Bernard Allison Group and we show our unity night after night around the world. It’s ‘the Allison way’…”

The result is a glorious exchange of energy between band and audience – and proof that Luther’s old philosophy burns brighter than ever. “Our shows are not like going to the movies and staring at the big screen,” Bernard believes. “We’re there for people to enjoy each other’s stories for the evening.”

‘Preaching the Blues’ Big Bo Brocken

If Corona makes it possible, we will organise 2 performances in theatre Calypso on Friday evening 5 March. Further information will follow at the end of February.

“Preaching The Blues” is a performance in music, images and storytelling about the origins of the blues in the Mississippi Delta.

Like no other, Bo Brocken (stage name: Big Bo) has mastered the pre-war blues styles from the Mississippi Delta and neighbouring areas. For over 30 years, he has been playing and telling the story of the birth of the blues, now cast in 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.

In an impressive setting with original images, the visitor is taken back to the time of cotton picking by black slaves in the south of the USA and experiences the music. With the passion and fervour that characterises the Blues, but above all what it meant to live in a time of oppression and deprivation, and how this style developed. What it was like to travel, work and survive along the Mississippi River. During the brutal slavery before the Civil War of 1863 and after the Revolution as a freed slave, or during the terrible Jim Crow laws in the southern states. The focus is on the role played by music; blues became the new movement that arose in the Delta at the beginning of the last century. Together with its related movements such as Gospel, Piedmont and Ragtime, but also Jazz and finally Rock’n’Roll, it laid the foundation for today’s Pop music.

Big Bo is a passionate storyteller and musician when it comes to the Blues. For over 30 years, he has been playing and singing this music on stages worldwide. This story needs to be told, the music needs to live on. Because even today, the blues is an anchor, a breath of fresh air as a source of self-reflection but also a confrontational mirror in a time where society and politics are becoming increasingly polarised.

Archives: Evenementen

New Year’s concert Howlin’ Bill 2011

Film (Two trains runnin’) and Blues (Reemers&deGreef)

Digital blues concert of HARLEM LAKE (ex Dave Warmerdam Band)

Robbert Duijf, Blame it on Vinnie (Howlin’ Bill) and Chicago Capitols

Press meeting start of BLUESinWIJK

Guy Verlinde Trio

MICHAEL DE JONG

Bluesstage ColourRichinWijk

Phil Gates Band (USA)

Significantly less paying visitors due to the 1.5 m measure are currently making it too expensive for some indoor festivals to bring 🇺🇸 bands over. The NL tour of Phil Gates in Calypso in March is unfortunately cancelled. We will try again in 2023.

Phil Gates is another blues musician who has been on our wish list for years. And suddenly we manage to book him and his band at a time when Theatre Calypso is available. On a Sunday afternoon of course. Always a good time to enjoy a fine band.

BluesPubTour 2021

Blues4Kids

Blues4Kids

CD Release concert Guy Verlinde & The Artisans of Solace

Bluescruise with JJ Sharp & Friends

BLUES AT THE NEIGHBORS

Blues at the Neighbors

Bernard Allison Band in Calypso

‘Preaching the Blues’ Big Bo Brocken

Blues 4 Kids

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