Auckland New Zealand
The name is C.O. Jones, and the address is “blues heartland”. Three of New Zealand’s leading acoustic blues players join forces for a journey back to where the blues began … and to some other interesting places as well.
Jack Craw, Al Young and Garry Trotman have been leading figures on the New Zealand blues scene for almost as long as it has existed. Jack sings and plays harmonica and backup guitar, Al sings and plays guitar and National slide and steel guitars, and Garry sings and plays the doghouse bass.
Jack has played with several leading ensembles, including the Railway Pie jug band, Gumbo and Smokestack, and was featured on a CD of Harmonica Masters of New Zealand. Al has worked solo and with bands, won a Tui for his only album, and has been featured three times on the annual Beale Street Messaround in Memphis. Garry has provided the bottom-end push for ensembles ranging from the Al Hunter Band to Wires ‘n’ Wood, and is a talented songwriter.
All three share a love of the old blues sound, and their repertoire draws from the artists who laid the foundations. A night’s entertainment can feature the music of the Memphis Jug Band, Howlin’ Wolf, Fred McDowell, Washboard Sam, Muddy Waters, both Sonny Boy Williamsons, Johnny Temple, Little Walter, Blind Willie Johnson, Johnny Shines and many more … plus the occasional rockabilly and gospel surprise.
The other thing the three members of C.O. Jones share is enjoyment in what they do. These guys know their way around the goodtime blues, and they know how to make sure everyone listening to them has a good time too.
(And who’s C.O. Jones? Oh, explain the band members, he’s our manager. If you want to get it right, you’ve got to have C.O. Jones.)
Floorsingers first half.
Top of PageAn informal ‘Singaround’ - ‘Open Mic’ without a Mic - A smaller group of people meet to share their songs and music.
Last Update: 2015-02-02
The Club was conceived in 1965 when the Clancy Brothers didn't come and someone had the astounding idea of having a sing-a-round thus transforming an audience into a folk group. Formally established in 1966 we're still going strong.