Bringing the Blues Band back for St Mary In the Castle gig

The five decade career of Paul Jones has seen him fronting the ever-popular Manfred Mann Band, recording with Tina Turner, Percy Sledge, Memphis Slim, Katie Melua and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, becoming an acclaimed actor in films, television and on stage, presenting a long-running rhythm and blues programme on BBC Radio, and still finding time to tour as leader of the highly successful blues revivalists, The Blues Band.

Paul Jones back at St Mary In the Castle

Formed in 1979 by Jones along with another Manfred Mann group member, Tom McGuinness, The Blues Band included slide guitar ace and vocalist Dave Kelly, who brought in Gary Fletcher to play bass guitar, while Hughie Flint, said farewell to John Mayall to sit on the drum stool.

Rob Townsend replaced Flint in 1982, and the line-up remains the same today.

There have been over 20 albums, of which their latest features special guest appearances by Al Kooper, famed for his work with Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen’s stage mate, Southside Johnny. The band’s members are still regarded as Britain’s finest and most skilled practitioners in the art of the blues.

Advance booking is advised but cannot be made at St Mary in the Castle - for tickets (£23.50) in the auditorium, (£20.50) in the balcony telephone 01323 841414. Tickets can also be bought at Hastings TIC on the seafront, 01424 451111 and at Music’s Not Dead in Bexhill, 01424 552435