Not Only But Also The Blues: Delta Variant & Big Mouth Blues Band

Event information

Delta Variant is:
Blind Bob Barron, drums,
Lightning Rup Winchester, lead guitar
Slim Pete Shirvington, bass
Mojo Jono Yelland, slide guitar, vocals and blues harp

Bob and Jono had played in other bands together over the last 20 or so years with an Americana outfit which disbanded prior to covid and left a black hole that yearned to be filled. Three years ago Delta Variant was born from Lock Down Blues sessions online. Sometimes smooth and often upbeat the band plays midfield between blues and blues rock.

Bob cut his teeth in 1963 with 'The Blues Sect with kit he borrowed from the Home Guard. In his long career he's graced the stage with the 'Bonzo Dog Doodah Band' and 'Georgie Fame and the blue Flames' and shared the bill in other bands with 'Johnny Kid and the Pirates' Jimmy Cliff and 'Billy J Kramer'…

Mojo Jono got his name from his time spent seeking the blues and playing at juke joints across Louisiana, Mississippi and Chicago where he was privileged to meet and sometimes jam with idols including Buddy Guy, Charlie Musselwhite and Deak Harp. Prior to that he played in Blues Bands in the 1980s and 90s and was awarded 2nd prize in the UK Nation Harmonica League championships in 2006 & 2007. He started blowing harp aged 5 and growing up in rural Dartmoor in the 70s there was little else to do. He learned to play guitar age 14 and switched to slide Guitar after losing a finger some years later.

Rup Winchester was inspired first by Carlos Santana and fell into the blues soon after his first gig at the iconic Mean Fiddler in 1988. His biggest regret was turning down an invitation from Clarence Gatemouth Brown who in turn was mentored by Lightning Hopkins. Rup also spent a lot of time chasing blues on both sides of the pond and all over the globe.

Slim Pete on bass is from Somerset UK and he's known locally for deep grooves and a love of both blues and jazz. Pete brings a binding solid energy to the band. Experienced in improvisational line-ups and spontaneous jams, Pete can be found performing most weeks across the southwest—laying down smooth lines on upright or electric bass, from mellow Sunday lunch jazz to late-night blues sessions.

Together, Delta Variant is 4 friends delighting in playing the blues their own way.

Big Mouth Blues Band
“Having sung and performed for years on the professional circuit and as a session singer, Wendy Herman wanted to return to her roots with the blues. Mary Caffrey, well known bassist on the blues circuit joined Wendy to form Big Mouth Blues Band. Wendy and Mary, both charismatic performers looked for dynamic blues guitar players, finding just what they wanted in Richard and Jonathan Pickles, father and son team and well known veterans on the blues scene. Bill Birks, pro drummer from the international scene in the 70s and 80s and guitarist/singer songwriter professional musician from the age of 19. Billl signed to CBS and released his own album 'Contraband' on the European market. Here Bill and Mary lock in to provide a rock solid, driving, creative rhythm section. These 5 musicians got together last year to play songs they just love to play, from blues standards to lesser known numbers giving them their own particular flavour.”



These monthly sessions are curated by local bassist, Mary Caffrey. If you'd like to be considered for a spot on one of these nights, either on the main bill, or in the short open mic session that happens in the middle of the evening, email mary.caffrey49@gmail.com

Ashburton Arts Centre
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