THE INTERNATIONAL BLUES ALL-STARS LIVE IN FAVERSHAM

THE INTERNATIONAL BLUES ALL-STARS

Known for his powerful, soulful vocals and masterful harmonica playing, Curtis Salgado is a true giant of the blues world. DownBeat Magazine calls his songwriting skills “an impressive gift,” and Billboard hails his music as “inspired and powerful.” His storied career is the stuff of legend; he famously inspired John Belushi’s “Blues Brothers” character and has been hailed by critics as “one of the most soulful, honest singers ever.”

For this special UK show, he will be joined by the incredible Giles Robson Band, a perfect match with their high-energy, harmonica-driven sound. But that’s not all—we’re also thrilled to welcome very special guests, two of the UK’s finest blues talents: the brilliant guitarist Mississippi MacDonald and the superb vocalist Robbin Kaspalis.

This is a rare opportunity to see a living blues legend on an intimate stage, backed by some of the best musicians in the business. An evening of pure, authentic blues and soul awaits!

Don’t miss Curtis Salgado and the Giles Robson Band, with special guests Mississippi MacDonald & Robbin Kapalis, live in Faversham. 

Book your tickets now!

SECURE YOUR TICKET WITH A DEPOSIT OPTION – LIMITED TO ONLY 50 TICKETS !!!!

The “January Treat” for You 🤝

Want to secure your spot on the dancefloor, but funds are tight before payday? We get it. We have just released a limited batch of “Reserve Now” Tickets.

• The Deal: Pay just £7.50 today to lock in your ticket.
• The Balance: Pay the remaining £20.00 on the door in January.
• The Math: Total price stays exactly the same (£27.50)—no hidden fees, no interest.

It costs less than a drink to reserve your place, so you can enjoy Christmas knowing your January plans are sorted.

Curtis Salgado

“The Man Who Taught the Blues Brothers to Sing” A true giant of the genre, Curtis Salgado’s career is the stuff of legend. An award-winning vocalist and harmonica master, he famously mentored John Belushi during the filming of Animal House, directly inspiring the creation of The Blues Brothers characters. But his legacy goes far beyond Hollywood; Salgado is a powerhouse performer in his own right. He is a multiple Blues Music Award winner, having taken home the most coveted titles in the industry, including B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, Soul Blues Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year. Billboard magazine hails his music as “inspired and powerful,” while NPR calls him “an icon with a huge voice.” Do not miss the chance to see this living piece of music history on a UK stage.

The Giles Robson Band

“The UK’s International Harmonica Virtuoso” Giles Robson is a trailblazer in the blues world. He is the first and only UK or European artist to appear on Chicago’s legendary Alligator Records, a label that described him as “a blues giant.” His incredible talent on the harp led him to become one of only three British artists—alongside Eric Clapton and Peter Green—to win a prestigious Blues Music Award in Memphis (the Grammys of the Blues). Known for his high-energy, sweat-soaked performances, Robson consistently tops critics’ polls in Mojo, Living Blues, and DownBeat. If you want to witness a master at the height of his powers, this is the set to watch.

Special Guest: Mississippi MacDonald

“The Future of British Soul-Blues” Joining the bill is one of the UK’s finest contemporary talents, Mississippi MacDonald. A three-time UK Blues Awards winner (including Acoustic Blues Artist of the Year), MacDonald has been earning rave reviews on both sides of the Atlantic. Guitarist Magazine praises his playing as “legitimate blues,” while Blues Blast Magazine (USA) calls him “one of the most soulful vocalists in Europe.” With a sound that blends the deep roots of Memphis soul with modern blues grit, MacDonald is widely tipped as the next big thing in the British blues explosion.

Special Guest: Robbin Kapsalis

“The Soul Shaker” Completing this stellar lineup is the dynamic vocalist Robbin Kapsalis. A Chicago native with a voice steeped in the rich musical heritage of the South Side, Kapsalis is a force of nature. Fronting Vintage #18, she earned a Blues Blast Music Award nomination for New Artist Debut Album and has been praised by Living Blues for her “commanding voice.” Known as the “Soul Shaker,” her stage presence is electric, channeling the raw power of Koko Taylor with the sultry delivery of a classic jazz diva. She is the perfect addition to an evening of world-class music.

FURTHER DETAILS ON THE HISTORY OF CURTIS SALGADO

Whatever songs Curtis Salgado brings to the table are going to have his personal soul stamp on them. It’s the singer’s magic bullet, the key element that stirs listeners and sets Salgado apart as one of the most riveting performers on stage today.

Born in 1954, Salgado grew up in Eugene, Oregon with music all around him. His parents’ vast music collection included everything from Fats Waller to Ray Charles, and his older brother and sister turned him on to the soul and blues of Wilson Pickett and Muddy Waters at an early age. He attended a Count Basie performance when he was 13 and decided then and there that music was his calling. After getting his hands on a harmonica, Curtis began devouring the blues of Little Walter and Paul Butterfield, and taught himself to play.

By his early 20s he was already making a name for himself in Eugene’s bar scene, first as the vocalist/harmonica player of The Nighthawks, and later as co-leader of The Robert Cray Band. Salgado quickly developed into a player and singer of remarkable depth, with vocal and musical influences including Otis Redding, O.V. Wright, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson I and II, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Howlin’ Wolf.

In 1977, comedian/actor John Belushi was in Eugene filming Animal House. During downtime from production, Belushi caught a typically ferocious Salgado performance and introduced himself during a break. Once Salgado started sharing some of his blues knowledge, a fast friendship grew. Salgado spent hours playing old records for Belushi, teaching him about blues and R&B. Belushi soaked up the music like a sponge and used his new awareness to portray “Joliet” Jake Blues in The Blues Brothers, first as a skit on Saturday Night Live, then a best-selling record album (which was dedicated to Curtis) and finally as a major motion picture (Cab Calloway’s character in the film was named Curtis as an homage).

Once Salgado joined forces with his friend Robert Cray and began playing together as The Robert Cray Band, he found himself sharing stages with many of his heroes, including Muddy Waters, Bobby Bland, Albert Collins and Bonnie Raitt. After Salgado and Cray parted ways in 1982, Curtis went on to front Roomful Of Blues, singing and touring with them from 1984 through 1986. Back home in Oregon, he formed a new band, Curtis Salgado & The Stilettos, and was once again tearing it up on the club scene. He honed his band to a razor’s edge before releasing his debut in 1991 on the JRS label. After recordings for Rhythm Safari and Lucky Records, Salgado signed withShanachie Records in 1999, releasing four critically acclaimed albums. Salgado’s Alligator Records debut, Soul Shot, came out in 2012 to widespread critical acclaim. Blues Revue said Salgado’s music is “triumphant, joyful, blues-soaked R&B” and declared him to be “one of the most soulful, honest singers ever.” He followed up with The Beautiful Lowdown in 2016 and Rough Cut, the potent, stripped-down acoustic album (with guitarist Alan Hager) in 2018. The albums collectively earned Salgado multiple Blues Music Awards—for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year, Soul Blues Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Soul Blues Male Artist Of The Year.