Tom Walker supporting Laurence Jones @Zephyr Lounge
Sutton Coldfield based blues musician Tom Walker (22) is starting to get a wider name for his expansive blues singing and brilliant guitar work and was voted Best Artist on the introducing stage at The Great British Rock and Blues Festival 2017.
As Tom explained “Music is my life and it is the only thing I want to do”
He is the lead singer and guitarist for the Tom Walker Trio along with Deano (Bass) and Nathan Anderson-Barr (drums). He also plays acoustic sets with his partner Christie Reeves as Tom and Christie, with Christie singing and playing the ukulele to great applause.
Over a 10-day period, he will have supported Blues award winner Laurence Jones, both with his band (Robin 2, Bilston) and as a solo artist (Zephyr Lounge, Leamington Spa), featured at hot Birmingham music venue Blue Piano bar & Restaurant, as Tom & Christie, and with his Tom Walker Trio band launching their new EP “Into Space” at Red Room, Ealing Blues Club, West London on 27th April 2017.
The Tom Walker Trio has toured with the likes of The Move, Paul Jones (The Blues band, Manfred man), John Lodge (The Moody Blues) and Devon Allman to name a few. Tom has worked with producer Richard Digby Smith (Free, Reef and Led Zeppelin) on recording the trio's first record “The Strangers Face”. Following the release, Tom traveled to Austin, Texas to play a string of shows over in the USA.
He has featured on The Paul Franks Show (BBC Radio WM) and Paul Jones Blues Show (BBC RADIO 2).
At his solo appearance, supporting Laurence Jones at the Zephyr Lounge in Leamington Spa, the crowds got to hear songs from both his first record “The Strangers Face” including “Thinking About your Love” as well as tracks from his new EP “Into Space” including “Into Space” and “Sweet Angel”. He also gave great renditions of classic tracks such as Robert Johnson's “Crossroads”, and Eddie Floyd’s “Knock on Wood” (co-written with Steve Cropper of later Blues Brother's film stardom!) and after wild applause from the crowds with an encore of the Doobie Brothers “Long Train Running”.
Two days later as Tom & Christie, supported by partner Christie with vocals and ukulele, he played to the intimate crowd at the Blue Piano bar,
Tom & Christie live at Blue Piano bar, Edgbaston, Birmingham
Edgbaston, including other Birmingham-based musicians, with the first set featuring some of his own songs. The 2nd set included more classic soul/funk/reggae songs including Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” with some great guitar work from Tom on his acoustic guitar, “Strawberry Letter 23” from soul/funk outfit The Brothers Johnson. They finished with some great Reggae songs, with crowd participation such as Bob Marley’s “Stir it Up”, with Catherine Gabbidon on backing vocals, George Benson’s “Give Me the Night” and finishing with Elvis’s “Can’t help Falling in Love”.
Make sure you get a chance and catch the excellent Tom Walker Trio band live at the EP launch at Ealing Blues Club (27th April). They will also be appearing at the Upton Blues Festival (22nd July) and the following day at the Ealing Blues Festival (23rd July).
