LONDON BLUES FESTIVAL - ERROL LINTON QUINTET

Rockin’ Blues and Boogie with a Reggae feel.

“A good friend sold me a harmonica one day, started blowing on it, 

never stopped, the harp lead me to the blues, not the other way ’round.”

In 1991 a chance meeting with John Walters, BBC Radio 2 producer led to radio session on the Andy Kershaw Show and in 1993 Errol was featured along side Big Bill Broonzy in BBC 2’s Arena documentary (Rhythms of the World) called Two Generations of the Blues.

1995 saw Errol touring Spain and the UK with Henry Gray, piano player for 14 years in the mighty Howlin’ Wolf. Linton’s band have opened the show for Screaming Jay Hawkins, Bo Diddley, Dr John and Blind Boys of Alabama.

Linton released his first album Vibin’ It (Ruby Records) in 1998. Across the UK BBC Radio DJs Charlie Gillett, Paul Jones, John Peel and Andy Kershaw all played the album. He toured the full length of the UK and Ireland, playing festivals, clubs and pubs. Promoters in Germany, France and Spain all booked the band. They were the first UK artists to perform at Park Tower Blues Festival in Japan, on the same stage as the soulful Howard Tate and even jamming with the late great Clarence ‘Gate Mouth ‘Brown.

In 2001 Linton returned to the studio to cut Roots Stew (Ruby Records). Roots Stew shows Errol’s song writing developing alongside the band’s organic blues-reggae groove. You can hear Linton’s harmonica on Channel 4’s documentary ’Mr. Rock and Roll’ Transglobal Underground albums ‘Rejoice Rejoice’ (Nations Records 1998) and ‘Yes Boss Food Corner’ (Ark 1 Records 2001) double CD compilation Beyond Mississippi (Manteca 2002) Abram Wilson’s album Ride! Ferris Wheel To The Modern Day Delta’ (Dune Records 2007) and Malala Rai Banda album Balkan Reggae (Asphalt Tango Records 2013)

Band are guitarist Adam Blake, bass player Lance Rose, piano/keys Petar Zivkovic and drummers Kenrick Rowe and Gary Williams. Lead by Linton they create an urban sound with rural roots. Some songs are tough rockers designed to get crowds dancing. Others have a soulful ska and reggae vibe.

"A Mighty Performer…catch him while you can!" 

Cerys Matthews BBC Radio 2 Blues Show

"The finest blues and reggae harmonica player in Europe…and I say that with utter confidence." 

Max Reinhardt BBC Radio 3

"Errol isn’t so much upholding a tradition as creating his own." 

Mike Atherton Echoes Magazine

Errol Linton – Vocals & Harmonica

RITCHEY GREEN – Guitar

Lance Rose – Double Bass

Petar Zivkovic – Piano

Gary Williams – Drums