KENT DUCHAINE LIVE IN CONCERT

On Thursday 12th November The Blue Walnut are proud to present Kent DuChaine & Lead Bessie live in concert.

Kent’s early days with the Blues involved him both living and learning the Blues life.
He has played in most of the major Blues festivals in the U.S.A. and Europe and was part of a Grammy nominated album recorded at the prestigious Smithsonian Institute Festival of Folk Life in Washington D.C. The theme of the festival was “The Roots of Rhythm & Blues, The Robert Johnson Era” and was recorded and released by Sony Music. It featured Robert Johnson’s old buddies, Johnny Shines, Robert JR Lockwood, Honeyboy Edwards, and Henry Townsend.
Kent attended two of the early “Ann Arbor Blues Festivals” in the 70’s. It united together virtually every important Blues man and woman in the world who performed for the three days and nights in August.
His dedication and talent for the blues earned him the honor of opening two shows for Bukka White, spending time with Mississippi Fred McDowell and befriending his hometown Bluesmen, Lazy Bill Lucas and Mojo Buford in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has even hung out with Muddy Waters who he later paid his last respects to at Muddys’ funeral in Chicago. You will have to wait till you see him on stage to hear if he took up Muddy’s offer of some reefer and Champagne!
The Blues were happening all around Kent at this time and he ended up playing alongside Kim Wilson in a band called “Aces, Straights & Shuffles”. Willie Dixon heard the band and complimented Kent on his slide playing sounding like a young Muddy Waters. Willie arranged a recording contract for the boys to help them launch their career by putting them on stage with Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins and Margie Evans.
Kent spent time in Austin, Texas in the mid 70’s, soaking up the blues at “Antone’s”, who where beginning to bring in alot of the old Blues men. He met Stevie Ray Vaughn and learned that there where others who shared the same passion and respect for the real Blues.
Around this time the most incredible thing happened: after searching for ten years, Kent found his beloved 1934 National Steel guitar, Leadbessie.
After some time, Kent could see that the solo Blues life was where he wanted to go. Traveling the roads alone allowed him the opportunities he was seeking. Following the Blues trails unhindered gave him the freedom to play where and when he wanted, for what ever he could get, even if it was just a meal and a drink. The solo life built his following, reputation and talent for the real Blues.

Doors Open 7:30pm and show starts 8:15pm

Tickets are £10 and available to buy or reserve in the café

For more information visit http://www.bluewalnuttorquay.co.uk/blog/?p=173