Bay City Ramblers

A bluesy musical trip that stretches from late 1800's America through the music of Elizabeth Cotton, Robert Johnson, Django Reinhardt and Woody Guthrie to contemporary Americana and the band's original songs.

THE BAY CITY RAMBLERS

One of the most exciting Kiwi bands playing early blues in New Zealand, this four-piece band features music scene veterans Derek Jacombs, Nigel Masters, Mike Garner and Robbie Laven. The internationally-travelled group have been showcased at Tauranga's National Jazz Festival, Mike, Derek and Nigel have featured at the New Caledonia Jazz & Blues Festival and in 2016 The Bay City Ramblers headlined the Norfolk Island Jazz Festival.

In concert the band all sing and break out a host of acoustic instruments – resonator guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, washboard and more to capture the essence of early American music. They'll take you on a journey from gutsy Delta blues to New Orleans' mix of ragtime, swing and carnival music, with the odd detour to take in more recent Americana and Mike and Derek's own songs.

A LITTLE MORE BACKGROUND ON THE PLAYERS...

Mike Garner is a well-known NZ Blues singer and songwriter. He has a wealth of blues experience over nearly 40 years, having played in Europe, Australia, NZ and the Pacific, and Kathmandu in Nepal. He has made 7 CDs and won international awards for his songwriting. Last year he toured Japan for the fourth time, including some recording in Tokyo.

For the past two decades guitarist Derek Jacombs has been the singer and songwriter with blues & roots favourites Kokomo. The band has released 12 studio albums and a live CD and DVD. He has also written music for theatre and television, served as Director of the National Jazz Festival, and is one half of cult duo the Self-Righteous Brothers.

Since emerging with seminal '70s band The Red Hot Peppers Robbie Laven has been one of New Zealand's most respected musicians, playing a host of instruments in styles ranging from folk to rock, Latin to jazz. With partner Marion Arts he spent a decade abroad, playing major festivals in Holland, Belgium, Denmark and Ireland. They currently lead Gypsy jazz ensemble Bonjour Swing.

Nigel Masters is the Bay of Plenty's busiest bass player, both with his main band Kokomo and as a session musician. He also operates the Bay's longest-running recording studio, The Boatshed, where he has recorded the likes of Jan Preston, Shona Laing, Mike King, Richard O'Brien, Grant Haua, Brilleaux and many more.