The Keno Kings and Back Porch, with Stephen Foster of BBC Radio Suffolk
Stephen Foster who is compering tonight’s event is one of BBC Radio Suffolk’s longest serving presenters, joining the station shortly after it opened in 1990. This followed an eight year spell at Radio Orwell. He has reported from the Falklands, presented a programme from Wembley Stadium when Sudbury reached the F.A. Vase final and worked on a series with Terry Waite. He helped to establish Ipswich’s Music Day and has reported from the Latitude and Maverick festivals.
Stephen has co-authored a book on Ipswich’s Regent Theatre and in his spare time he follows Ipswich Town Football Club and is passionate about jazz, especially the blues. He also writes a weekly column for the Ipswich Evening Star and a monthly column for free lister Grapevine.
The Keno Kings have played together since 1996, describing their sound as a fusion of Dr. Feelgood’s ‘in-yer-face’ R&B and the swing-style of Little Charlie & The Nightcats. This includes Swing and Jump, courtesy of Louis Jordan and Louis Prima, Thames Delta, with reference to The Pirates and Mickey Jupp, Texas Shuffle, plus a collection of critically acclaimed original songs.
Keno Kings are, Dave Sparrow on drums, Malcolm Jackson on bass, Mick Alden Harmonica and vocals and Phil Shelby, electric guitar and vocals.
Ipswich based Back Porch are a crazy semi-acoustic band with a happy take on the blues, with plectrums, thimbles and harp reeds flying everywhere. They list their influences as Robert Johnson, Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Muddy Waters and Peter Croft among many others.
Back Porch are Mike Rushmore, lead vocals and percussion, Steve Graham, blues harp, Jon Miller, lead guitar and vocals and Toni Vines, guitars and vocals.
Their unique variety of foot stomping acoustic-ish good-time blues, with a dash of skiffle has attracted a strong following in the past few years, and we look forward to welcoming them, The Keno Kings and Stephen Foster to Woolpit.