<< played (with Neil on guitar and vocals) to over-capacity audiences dancing away the night on the furniture way beyond ‘time’, much to the frustration of the landlord. As veterans of these notorious sessions, Neil, Pete and Tony wanted to create a regular live blues event where this type of roots music could be enjoyed and appreciated in a conducive atmosphere by fans of the genre, by people who wanted to find out a bit more about blues as well as by people who just wanted a great night out. The objective from the very start was to bring the best in blues to York through featuring local, national and international artists, to feature as many different artists as possible and to cover the full range of blues styles whilst keeping the gigs accessible through minimum door charges. The deep blues club was created as an independent not-for-profit organisation where any profits are ploughed back in. Paul Lazenby, also a veteran of the John Bull blues days and original supporter of the club, soon joined the group making the four current committee members.

The first year saw the appearance amongst others of No Time For Jive, Half Hand Hoodoo, Brendan Croker, Deacon Jones and the Sinners, Scandalous Bachelors, Reverend Doc and the Congregation, Ray Stubbs, and Geno Washington and the Purple Aces. Unfortunately, York Arts Centre was forced to close in August 1999. Not perturbed by this loss and anxious to build on a growing reputation, the deep blues club found a new venue, The Oak Room in York’s De Grey Rooms on Exhibition Square. Much smaller than the Arts Centre, this venue had other advantages such as heating and a more >>

History | page 2