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Saiichi Sugiyama

Acclaimed blues-rock guitarist Saiichi Sugiyama and his band are touring the UK in September ahead of the 2017 release of his new album. It will feature the band’s newly released single, ‘Melting Away’ recorded with live strings, which has been described by Classic Rock Magazine as “reminiscent of Free at their most powerful … an emotional slice of blues-rock”. Saiichi was delighted to persuade his long time hero, legendary Free bassist Andy Fraser who wrote the classics “All Right Now” and “My Brother Jake”, to perform on the track not knowing that it was to be one of Andy’s last recordings. Sadly, Andy Fraser passed away in March 2015.

Saiichi is an authoritative live performer praised by Moray Stuart of Blues In Britain for providing “a cracking bit of air-conditioned Les Paul action”. Sugiyama has been creating music that harks back to the halcyon days of rock and soul, 1965-1974, when blues bands were in the pop chart and all you needed was love. Potent and melodic, Saiichi’s original material, with many songs written with Cream lyricist Pete Brown, is a standout in today’s UK blues scene. It is what makes the band’s live dates, in the words of Blues DJ Ian McHugh, “a joyous, at once familiar and fresh experience”. Kit Martin of the new-psych band Kit Sebastian opined, “There is no one writing songs like these at the moment.”

Sugiyama’s 5-piece touring band will feature the soulful singer Rietta Austin, Ben Reed on bass, Stuart Dixon on rhythm guitar and Wez Johnson on drums, augmented by a 6-piece string section at the Tour Highlight gig at The Aldridge Theatre in Farnham on 22nd September. The band will also undertake dates supporting Kirk Fletcher and/or Josh Smith; two of the most respected modern US blues guitarists at the Borderline and regional venues.

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SAIICHI SUGIYAMA BAND – TOUR DATES 2016: 

Sun 11 Sept – Darlington R&B Festival [Main Stage 1pm]

Fri 16 Sept – Wrotham Arms, Broadstairs

Tues 20 Sept – Robin2, Bilston [supporting Josh Smith]

Thurs 22 Sept – Aldridge Theatre, Frensham Heights, Farnham

Fri 23 Sept – Borderline, London [supporting Kirk Fletcher and Josh Smith]

Sat 24 Sept – Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury [supporting Josh Smith]

Sun 25 Sept – Musician, Leicester [supporting Josh Smith]

Tues 27 Sept – Iron Road, Evesham [supporting Kirk Fletcher]

Thurs 29 Sept – The Cluny Newcastle [supporting Kirk Fletcher]

Sat 1 Oct – Blues In The City, Chelmsford [4.30pm]

Mon 3 Oct – John Peel Centre, Stowmarket, Suffolk

For more information visit saiichisugiyamaband.com

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