A “Bangkok Blues & Beyond” column by Jeff T.
Since the inception of this column two months ago, and the necessity of research to provide a broader view of what is available, it has happily come to my attention that not only is there more blues here Bangkok than previously thought, but the amount of clubs where the blues can be found is actually increasing. The clubs and venues mentioned in previous columns has been joined by Rewind, located on the second floor of Camp Davis in Sukhumvit Soi 24. Although not entirely dedicated to blues seven days a week, Millin Blues Band can be found there every Thursday with various forms of blues and rock featured on other nights. Looks like Doctor Blues’ assertion that Soi 24 “is the center of the blues universe” might not be so far off after all.

World Blues Festival in Bangkok May 11-14, 2005

This year, as it slowly becomes the blues capitol of Asia, Thailand will be taking part in the World Blues Festival for the first time. The WBF 2005 features blues bands around the globe uniting for a common cause; to bring more peace and understanding to the world. Although that will probably take more than a few shuffles to accomplish, it is an honest concept and has picked up like minded participants from as far away as Sweden, Finland, Australia, Canada, the United States and more since it’s humble beginnings in Japan in 2003. Here in Bangkok the World Blues Festival will be taking place at Tokyo Joe’s Blues Bar in Sukhumvit Soi 24, from May 11-14, 2005 and will feature CoCo York backed by the Soi Dog Blues Band with Keith “Ezy” Nolan on keyboards for the first three nights of blues and The ROL Trio for an evening of cool jazz on Saturday May 14. Supporting acts Doctor Blues, Blue on Blue and The Jungle will start the live music off at 8.30pm Wednesday through Friday and Bob King heats things up from 7.00pm on the Saturday. CoCo will also be giving two free clinics on blues and jazz singing, Thurs., May 12 and Friday, May 13 from 3.00pm to 6.00pm, also at Tokyo Joe’s. CoCo York is armed with a stunning vocal range and has shared the stage with artists such as Clark Terry, Lionel Ritchie, Chaka Khan, The Crusaders, B.B. King, Yellow Jackets and many more. This talented artist has also performed for Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands and twice for former US President Bill Clinton. What we’re lookin’ at here is basically Bangkok blues history in the making.

For those of you who prefer your blues in a more tropical setting CoCo York with Soi Dog Blues Band & Ezy Nolan will be heading to Coco Blues on the resort Island of Samui for three nights from May 20-22, 2005. Sun, sand, sea and world class blues, all right there on Chaweng Beach, what more could you ask for?

Blues Spawn

Stone Head, an improv jazz outfit made up mainly of members of T Bone, have returned from their tour overseas and can now be found every other Saturday exclusively at Tokyo Joe’s. For more jazz, check out Zen Delta’s Listen Up! column on these pages. May the Zen be with you.

Northern Blues

Tuk, resident guitar wizard of the Brasserie on the river in Chiang Mai keeps Hendrix and the blues alive up North. Make sure to catch him if you’re in town.

R&B happenin’

The Innuendoes play an energetic mix of Soul and R&B classics. Catch the boys regularly at Noriega’s in Silom Soi 4.

Free is Good, even though it ain’t Blues

Marty Friedman, guitar shredder extraordinaire will be in Bangkok May 19 to give a free clinic. Nuno Betancourt, formerly of Xtreme, will be in town June 7 for the same.

Koh Samui Blues & World Music Festival

Dates for the Koh Samui Blues & World Music Festival remain fixed from September 23 to October 2, 2005. So far. With only four months to go, more news should hopefully start to trickle out from the island sooner, rather than later.

Help Keep The Blues Alive, Support Live Music

Jeff T. is the manager of Tokyo Joe’s Blues Bar on Sukhumvit 24. Along with managing the bar, he and his Soi Dog Blues Band are regular performers at music events throughout Thailand. Jeff’s Bangkok Blues and Beyond column appears in Bangkok Jungle twice a month.

This entry was posted Tuesday, April 26th, 2005 and was filed under Jungle News, Bangkok Blues and Beyond. RSS 2.0 feed. Trackbacks have been temporary removed.