Award winning UK bluesman, Big Joe Louis will be headlining the sixth annual Spring Blues concert, to be held at Ventnor Winter Gardens on Saturday 20th March from 7.30pm.

Big Joe Louis was born in Jamaica, West Indies, and moved to the UK during the 1970s. The Blues Kings were formed 18 years ago and have taken their special kind of real down-home Blues to venues the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland and with great success in virtually every country in Western Europe and Scandinavia. 1998 and 1999 brought two invitations to play in the USA, leading to exceptional reviews. Big Joe Louis and His Blues Kings have recorded radio and TV sessions worldwide and the last 2 years have seen trips to South Africa, Poland, Finland, France, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Egypt as well as two visits to the Caribbean for the Mustique Blues Festival.

In autumn 1995, the band completed their third studio album with guests including (ex-Muddy Waters/Magic Slim guitarist) John Primer. The band has also recorded with Mississippi Delta Blues legend David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Van Morrison and Jools Holland.

For two years from the beginning of 2000, Big Joe Louis was the singer with the legendary UK Rhythm & Blues band the Big Town Playboys.

British Blues Awards:
Best Male Vocalist 1993, 1994

Nominations: Best Male Vocalist 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 Best Guitarist 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 Best Band 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999

“The UK’s premier Blues outfit - the most powerful and authentic sounding blues album released by a home produced band in twenty years” Blues & Rhythm

"They proved that they are the prime interpreters of classic Chicago-style blues this side of the Atlantic." Juke Blues

"Jamaican Blues guitar supremo..." The Guardian

Support is from The Amen Boogie Blues Band. A local band who, while gigging the IOW pub circuit during the last 10 years, have built a reputation as one of the Island’s top blues acts performing blues standards by the likes of Muddy Waters, Son House, Elmore James, John Mayall and The Blues Band.

The evening will kick off with a set of acoustic blues from Damien Paul, showcasing songs from his new album ‘Moving Along’.

Tickets, priced £12advance / £14 on the door, from Ventnor Winter Gardens box office: 01983 857581 and Waterstone’s bookshop Newport: 01983 527927