WELCOME TO SOHO FOLK
AND BLUES

Lost Revellers are a four piece original folk band from East Sussex. Their music draws on Gypsy jazz, tango, celtic and Eastern-European folk, and mixes traditional instruments with polyphonic electric string and synth sounds. Jazz and blues infused violin solos intertwine with soaring accordion melodies, infectious bass riffs and fiery percussion to make a unique fusion. Since releasing their debut ep in 2017 the band have toured extensively in the Uk, performed in Germany and had their music used in films and played on radio including BBC Radio 3. Their first album Midnight Circus was released in 2019 and their new album Sunrise and Seamonsters was released in April 2023.

Dave Ellis & Boo Howard are a long established London based acoustic singer songwriter duo.  With regular appearances at festivals and folk clubs, Dave & Boo are an integral part of the British acoustic folk scene and firm favourites with audiences up and down the land.  Dave Ellis left Liverpool and headed to London with his guitar at the tender age of 18. He was soon headlining at major venues, getting rave reviews for his extraordinary guitar playing, duetting with Gordon Giltrap and touring with his hero Bert Jansch. Melody Maker listed him as “one of the 6 best guitarists in the world.”  With the release of his solo album, radio and TV beckoned and after a spot on the Old Grey Whistle Test, Dave decided to form ‘The Dave Ellis Band’. Boo joined as the bass player and soon became the main singer. The pair became a solid partnership renowned for their unusual blend of powerful songwriting, exquisite guitar playing and beautiful harmonies.

Matt Backer has played with ABC, Rumer, Julian Lennon, Sly and Robbie, Steve Earle, Sarah Jane Morris to name a few. Les Davidson has played with Laura Mvula, Paul Rodgers, Joan Armatrading, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Tina Turner, Eric Bibb etc. Matt & Les will be performing their take on some of their influences, including, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Mose Allison, Albert King, Blind Willie Johnson, Jesse Ed Davis, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee.

Dave is a true legend of British Blues having been a leading light on the scene since becoming lead singer and guitarist with the John Dummer Blues Band in the late Sixties.  He accompanied no less than John Lee Hooker, Howlin Wolf and Son House.  He formed the Blues Band with Paul Jones and Tom McGuinness in the late Seventies and they rapidly became one of the UKs most respected and popular blues acts.

Steve Ashley has long been regarded as one of British folk’s finest singer-songwriters. His reputation for writing contemporary songs inspired by the English Tradition was established in 1974 with his innovative debut album, Stroll On. Since then his songs have been recorded by many leading folk artists including Fairport Convention, Anne Briggs, Ralph McTell and Wizz Jones, Show of Hands, O’Hooley & Tidow, Dave Pegg and PJ Wright, The Arizona Smoke Review, Martin and Jessica Simpson, Grace Notes, Phil Beer, Maggie Boyle, The Bushwackers, The Owl Service, Sproatly Smith and Hannah Sanders and Liz Simmons.  He has also played a significant role in the development of British folk-rock, performing as a lead singer with the first Albion Country Band, then with his own Ragged Robin and various line-ups of The Steve Ashley Band. He has also performed occasionally with members of Fairport Convention.