MUSICIANS’ INFORMATION
Who we are
Brooks Blues Bar, previously situated in Hammersmith, West London now resides at 'The Telegraph' on Putney Heath every Friday evening. Brook’s Blues Bar logo at any venue denotes that it is the place to hear authentic country blues of the ‘20s,‘30s & ‘40s, as well as later Chicago blues. Although there are other blues venues in London where the blues repertoire is more widely interpreted, the aim is to distinguish Brook’s Blues Bar by keeping the repertoire to acoustic/semi-acoustic vintage country blues/ragtime and later Chicago blues featuring the sort of music and songs that are rarely heard commercially. The audience also enjoy anecdotes about the lives of the early blues singers, and the history of their times. The less well known blues songs are also appreciated by the audience who not only love the music, but want to hear the original versions of the songs.
Venue details
Fridays at Brooks Blues Bar
The Telegraph
Telegraph Road
Cnr. Wildcroft Road
Putney Heath
London SW15 3TU
The venue is small – max.seating capacity is 50 people. All food and drink is at pub prices. The majority of the audience come to listen, many of whom are musicians themselves. Occasionally, groups tend to chat and can be a little noisy but, because the venues are small and intimate, everyone can engage with the performer and the fun atmosphere generated is a lively one, which doesn’t prevent individuals enjoying the music above the chat. Doors open at 8.00pm and music starts around 8.30 pm. There are usually two one-hour sets with performances usually ending around 11.30pm.
Fees
As we are re-establishing Brooks Blues Bar at this venue, we have to build a local audience. Until then we are offering a percentage of the door until we are able to pay a basic fee. We negotiate fees for overseas musicians. We are non-profit making and our income is restricted by the small size of the venue, so we cannot afford to book more than solo/duo/trio groups. You can bring your own PA system to both venues. However, we can provide the following: Phonic Power Pod 885 Plus power mixer (8mic/line inputs), and 2 EV Sx100+ speakers. We also have three Shure Beta 57A microphones and one Shure SM 58 microphone, and stands and one Radial Passive DI box. The music is acoustic or semi-acoustic.
You are required to attend the sound check at 6.30pm . Musicians are allowed one guest only. Everyone else pays – please remember that we are a small venue. We provide a meal at both venues at 7pm if pre-arranged.
Publicity
We send Brook’s Blues Bar info to all the London listings including Time Out , Evening Standard & Metro, local Hammersmith & Fulham/ Wandsworth/Ealing/Chiswick press, Richmond & Twickenham Times and the Blues in London website. Each week’s star artist is advertised on posters and flyers at all venues, and we circulate weekly information to those on our growing e-mail list.
Artists’ Booking
Ann Rosenberg / Tony Bell . Please send your demo cds & biographical info, c/o Ann Rosenberg to one of the venue addresses. Please do not send MP3 files to our website mail box. It has limited capacity.