Of The Blue was put together in 1994, by singer, guitarist and award winning songwriter Kevin Thorpe, to fulfil a one-off gig at the Colne Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival. They received such a rapturous audience reception that they decided to stick around.
Out Of The Blue respect the blues tradition but they like to stretch the outside of the envelope. They look beyond the tried and tested 12 bar formula to create a modern, thoroughly original sound that fuses jazz, rock and of course blues. Whichever way you chew it, their music, with Kevin Thorpe's gravel and grit vocals, definitely comes from the heart to stir the soul. Lead guitarist Eddie Tatton is one of the hippest guitar players on the scene today, his inventiveness never ceases to amaze. Eddie's solos push back the boundaries of electric blues guitar, his unique style melding the poise of Robben Ford, with the grace of Larry Carlton to bring an unparalleled sophistication to Out Of The Blues' overall ensemble sound. In addition Out Of The Blue have the very gifted keyboards player Jon Dyke ( Elkie Brooks Band, Patricia Kaas, Larry Garner Band) and a dynamic rhythm section with Nigel Lobley on drums and Simon Sparks on bass making them, for the discerning blues punter, the most rewarding live aesthetic experience available.' Scott Duncan, Blues in Britain Magazine
Out Of The Blue have played major club and theatre dates all over the UK and Europe. Kevin has played in the USA with Paul Rishell and Annie Raines at various Eastern Seaboard venues including the prestigious House of Blues in Boston; for these dates the band was augmented by guitar legend Ronnie Earl. In February 2001 Kevin and Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges gave four performances at The Budweiser Low Country Blues Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. Out Of The Blue have toured the UK and European club and festival circuit with appearances at festivals in Burnley, Colne, Oxford, London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Chalons-en-Champagne, Cognac and Coutances. Out Of The Blue have also supported the late Junior Wells, Robert Cray, Larry Garner, Robben Ford, Sherman Robertson, Peter Green and Tracy Nelson. OOTB were the choice of backing band for the legendary Memphis Horns at the Edinburgh Jazz Festival, and subsequent tour of Europe and Ireland.
Out of the Blue have two albums available on the Armadillo label: BLUES IN A BOTTLE (ARMD00002) and SHADOWPLAY ARMD00012....sales www.bluearmadillo.com
itunes: power search / artist / 'Kevin Thorpe' or 'Out of the Blue'.
Thanks to Brian Sherwin and Tony Winfield (www.bluespics.co.uk) for the photos from Maryport Festival 2007 and the Lincolnshire Echo for Drill Hall pics.
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