Last week was one of our best nights of 2022, this week was even better and why should it not be so with 19 jammers, a big audience and a star-studded houseband led by the inspirational Shakey Vick and Steve Taylor, with the later addition of Shakey Vick’s long-standing friend Alan Vincent …oh, Reg Patten and yours truly played a supporting role while having the privilege of sharing the stage with these three masterful musicians. Steve Taylor and I had played a stonkingly good set with The Customtones at Broomfield Park on the previous Sunday, so it was great to be back with him on Monday evening, especially with Shakey Vick and Alan Vincent - and they certainly entertained our Jammers & Listeners with a no-nonsense opening set of Blues classics, which suited me after a heavy weekend with three different bands.

After last week’s absence, our MC Mike Dearing was back MC-ing, but he graciously gave way to Alan Vincent’s guitar-playing on the first mini-set. Mike re-joined the houseband at the end of the night to play out three more great numbers – I particularly preferred Shakey Vick’s rendition of “Crossroads” to that of the standard manic version!

A very classy opening set from our Three Amigos was enjoyed by so many admirers here this week - and nor were they slow to show their appreciation before our three houseband guests took a bow and gave way to our awaiting jammers. We’ll eagerly look forward to seeing them all back here in the near future and I’ll also look forward to attending Shakey Vick’s 85th birthday in early October (yes, 85th !) – a truly amazing musician and such a lovely guy too. Thank you, Shakey Vick, Alan Vincent and Steve Taylor !

On such a very busy night we still managed to arrange six highly entertaining jam-sets, firstly led by Steve Hillan, but our admiration is aimed directly at Steve Taylor’s lovely wife Bonnie who bravely allayed some people’s fears that she might be undergoing chemotherapy (due to her loss of hair). Rather, she declared it was caused by Alopecia, before turning in an excellent jam-set. An amazing woman is Bonnie although hubby Steve Taylor already knows that !

It was great to see two fine musicians making a rare appearance in the shape of saxophonist Alan Elliott and guitarist Jimmy Wharf. The latter we were delighted to give an extra set, but unfortunately we could not squeeze an extra jam-set to Alan – will make a note for next time!

Much amusement was caused by the appearance of THREE guitarists on Dave Richards’ set. It was only found out after their first number. Another jammer had almost the same name as Dave Richards, so it was guitarist Dave Rich whose name was called out by our MC Mike Dearing – easy mistake to make in the heat of the moment – although actually, the club’s A/C is working perfectly!

Apologies to drummer Ed Croney who should’ve played on the last jam-set of the night. Our own Reg Patten was sent on stage to replace Colin Towers who had left for home, and it was only noticed later that we should’ve put Ed on instead of Reg – sorry about that, Ed!

Another great night was enjoyed by so many people this week with all due thanks to our much-valued jammers. Time to call…

The Roll Of Honour:

• Vocals - Bonnie Taylor
• Guitar+Vocals - Steve Hillan, Billy Sharpe, Dave Richards and Dave Rich
• Harp+Vocals - Mark Sibley
• Sax - Alan Elliott and Peter Harvie
• Keys - Steve Taylor
• Guitar - Richard Stenhouse, Jimmy Wharf, Ian Hammond, Chris Greene and Murray
• Bass - Joel LeTort, Dave Taylor, Steve Taylor and Mark Fairey
• Drums - Colin Towers, Ed Croney, John Ward and Reg Patten

Plenty of mp3s have been uploaded by our Webmaster Ken Cumberlidge, Queen Bee Vera arranged all six jam-sets and saxophonist Peter Harvie took this week’s batch of photos, which can be enjoyed on our Facebook page

Special thanks to Steve Hillan and Mark Fairey for helping to stack away the equipment at the end of a fantastic night – phew!

Next time at Leytonstone Blues Jam:
Next week I’ll again be taking a break from the houseband when Mark Sibley will be joined by his bass-playing friend Mark Fairey. Mark S and his band “The Feelgood Band” played a blinder at Broomfield Park last Sunday and I’m looking forward to hearing a sample here next week. Please arrive early and grab a seat – memo to self, we’ll need to lay out more chairs each week!

Something for the weekend:
No Blues this month at The Southgate Club, but there’ll be a treat in store at Broomfield Park next Sunday 14th starting at 1.30pm when the Rev Swifty LeZarre & The Smokers will be live on stage followed by Doc K’s Blues Band. For Further details, check out The St Harmonica's Website

Before that, on Saturday 13th at The Manor Arms, 150 East India Dock Road, E14 0BP, Ronnie Collins will be joined by Holly Roberts starting at 3.00pm through to 6.00pm. Please use beer-garden entrance after 3.00pm – no charge at the door.

Thanking All Our Jammers & Listeners,