Two top bluesmen from Chicago will be performing in Laxey this month to help celebrate a landmark occasion for an Isle of Man duo.
Joe Filisko and Eric Noden – who are known across the world for their music, high energy live performances and their skills as leading music tutors – will be headlining a concert to mark the 10th anniversary of the Isle of Man blues duo Blue John and Papa Cass.
The gig, at the Institute, New Road, Laxey, on Friday, July 28 at 7.30pm, is something of a coup as it is only one of a small handful of dates Joe and Eric will be playing in the British Isles before they teach guitar and harmonica at Blues Week in Gloucestershire, England, run by Euroblues Promotions.
Joe and Eric’s act is steeped in the highly rhythmic and exciting playing of the blues from the 1920s and 1930s and it has won the acclaim of fans and peers the world over.
Blue John and Papa Cass consists of guitarist/vocalist, concert promoter and guitar tutor John Gregory, of Douglas and harmonica player/vocalist Tim Cass, of Onchan.
John said: “About three years ago Tim and I were talking and we said we should do something special to mark 10 years of Blue John and Papa Cass. There was only one act we wanted to book – Joe Filisko and Eric Noden. Tim has attended many harmonica workshops with Joe in the past and we are both huge fans of the duo.
“When I attended Blues Week last year the very first thing I did was to find Eric and Joe and invite them to the Isle of Man!
“We are both absolutely thrilled that they have found time in their busy schedule to headline this celebration. They are exceptional musicians and an amazing, infectious live act. If you don’t think you like the blues this duo and their music will change your mind!
“We are also looking forward to performing on the night and we are delighted our good friend, musician, music historian, radio presenter and Mississippi John Hurt biographer, Dr Phil Ratcliffe – known to audiences as Dr Phil – will be travelling from Scotland to perform as well.”
John and Tim ended up playing together for the first time – unexpectedly - when they were the first to arrive at an open mic run by John Ruscoe at the Bridge Inn pub on the weekend of the Big Wheel Blues Festival in Laxey in May 2007.
The duo has gone on to open shows for The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Martin Taylor, Nine Below Zero, Michael Messer and Marcus Bonfanti - among others - and has performed in London and also at the delegate concerts at Blues Week.
Tickets for the show are ?15 and are available from www.etickets.im/bjm or by ringing John on 07624 204320 or by emailing him at bluejohnmedia@hotmail.co.uk.
For more information about Joe Filisko and Eric Noden visit www.rootsduo.com.
