Taking inspiration from the great delta players such as Robert Johnson, Blind Willie McTell, Son House and Mississippi John Hurt, he combines their raw syncopation with the sounds of Chicago (e.g. Muddy Waters and Howling Wolf) and the modern song writing approach of the likes of Robert Cray welding the whole into a powerful music for the modern day.
Equally at home on Acoustic and Electric guitar, playing
both slide and fretted styles Andy considers his music to
be Urban rather than Country Blues, after all he lives in
the City Of Portsmouth and has never been near a
cotton field in his life! The subject matter of his music reflects this urban perspective, whilst
remaining very much in the traditions of the music.
In 1985 Andy's career got a kick-start when he became part of the founding line-up of "Duck Soup", fronted by Laurie McVee (now working with Tony Farinha's Werewolves Of London). This was Andy's first band and they were rapidly in demand, being chosen to support several top line acts, including Wilko Johnson and Steve Marriot at Basin's Night Club, the venue in Portsmouth at the time. (BTW this "Duck Soup" should not be confused with the band of the same name currently on the circuit, featureing Nigel Bagge. If you came here looking for that band, try here instead.)
When the original line-up of "Duck Soup" dissolved Andy was quick off the mark to pull together "Burnt Ice". "Burnt Ice" are still playing today and can proudly claim to be Portsmouth's longest running blues band. With "Burnt Ice" Andy started from the contemporary soul influenced blues that he had been introduced to by "Duck Soup" mixed in a little of his favourite guitarists (B.B. King, Albert King, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, well the list goes on .... ) and presented this music to the dynamic rhythm section formed by Allan "Blackie" Blackmore on drums and Simon Tufnail on bass guitar. This hard core of funky music has evolved through several line-ups with Andy eventually taking over the lead vocals. They always produce an inspiring display of blues virtuosity exploring the edge of the music and finding new excitement. The current line-up is augmented by Matt Beckwith on Harmonica and Della Perret on saxophone.
In 1994 Andy was invited to take over the lead guitar for "The Busted Fender Blues Band". There followed 4 years of hard but satisfying work as the band transformed their act from an already successful 5 piece R&B band to a powerful horn section driven blues band. They played many top level supports, working with Canned Heat, The Big Town Play Boys, Otis Grand, Kent Duchaine, Ruthless Blues and many others.
Sadly "Busted Fender" split in 1997, with the leaving of Mic Arloe the singer being a change to many, but not before Andy had formed the "Rhythm Kings". "Andy Broad's Rhythm Kings" formed in 1996 shortly after Andy and Tim Nowell from Busted Fender got together for a "jam" with Buster Wingham and Frank Kelly from The Fabulous Blues Keys. The music at the jam really "clicked" and so all parties decided that a band would be a good idea. Since that time the Rhythm Kings a have put together a varied set of Chicago and Texas style blues. Some numbers are familiar standards such as Sweet Home Chicago and I'm Ready others, such as Hubert Sumlin's Can't Keep from Crying (nothing like the Muddy Waters number of the same name!) are less known but no less well appreciated. Andy and Buster have contrasting guitar sounds and techniques and enjoy trading licks during many numbers creating an exciting sound that is never the same twice.
Since becoming a fully professional musician in 1989 Andy has been developing his solo style. Swapping between acoustic and electric guitar his distinctive rhythmic style has been forged by the pragmatic approach of "getting out on the street" and playing the blues. The solo performance (occasionally accompanied by a harmonica or sax player) is where Andy's real strengths lie. Freed from the rigid structures of band life Andy plays in rhythmic metres that would give any drummer or bass player a headache but which follow the ebb and flow of the emotions of the blues. And, be it happiness or sadness, joy or lament emotion is what the blues is about! His singing continually strengthens and he can produce any thing from a deep emotive growl to a high melodic falsetto. The solo context is also where Andy's slide guitar comes to the fore. His impressive technique enables him to craft his own self penned material as well as rearrange the songs of others in ways that make them completely his own. A strong example of the first is the title track of the CD "From The Roots On Down". His unique arrangement of "Broke Down Engine" worked up by listening to a Dylan version a of Blind Willie McTell song is an excellent example of the second.
For a little over a year now Andy has been playing some Jazz, teaming up with guitarist Phil Jones. Their regular spot at the "Kitsch n D'or" in Southsea has become a firm favourite. Adding the music of the likes of Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, and Django Rheinhardt to his repertoire, audiences might be surprised to hear the occasional octave solo creep into his blues playing, and watch out for those diminished runs over the dominant in the middle of an otherwise conventional blues.
Andy can be seen playing at an increasing numbers of venues around the south coast with occasional forays north. But if you can't get to a gig he has several CD's available to order through this website.
"Broke Down Engine" - The second solo album from Andy Broad. Recorded at Little Village Studios in Hampshire, September 2005
and release on November 11th. The first guy to buy the CD phoned back next day to say that it was the best CD he'd bought all year.
Nice comment obviously a guitar blues fan! review B.I.T.S.
"From The Roots On Down" an all acoustic solo album recorded in 1999 at the
Watershed Studios Portsmouth. "... contains a good mix of Andy's own numbers and
some well known classics .... if you didn't know, you would wander who did the
originals of his own ones" - Venue Magazine
"Live! At The Bullfrog Blues Club" A live album recorded by "Burnt Ice" at the
club in early 2002.
Andy Broad's career is building momentum having been on the same stage as Kent Duchaine, Guy
Davis (joining him for an enjoyable version of "Going Down Slow" at the end of the evening), Big
Bill Morganfield, Texas Bill Thomas (see pic below), Roscoe Cheneer, Chris Jagger, Canned Heat, Otis Grand, Gwyn Ashton, Aynsley
Lister (he still hasn't lived down the night when Andy stood in for him when he 'forgot about' his
album launch at the Bullfrog Blues Club, since then Andy has become a regular guest musician when Aynsley performs solo at the club), King Rollo, The Big Town Play Boys, Kelly Joe Phelps and many
others. He has appeared at many festivals including The Southsea Folk And Roots Festival, The
Roots In The Garden Festival Ventnor (Part of the new Isle Of Wight music festival), Blues At The
Abbey (Titchfield), Swanage Blues Weekend, several Pompey Beer Festivals, and the Gosport Winterfest
Leave your email address on the home page if you would like to be notified about gigs, site updates and general items of local blues and roots interest.
If you want to see Andy play check out the giglist.
In the mean time, have a listen to the mp3 music samples on the site mp3 page or if you prefer some higher quality tracks at MP3.com.
Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you would like information on availabilty, fees etc., or to book Andy to play at your blues club or private party.
Andy can be contacted by any of the following methods
 Andy Broad Jammin' With Texas Bill Thomas at The R.M.A. Tavern Southsea. |
 Here's a press cliping from a recent interview in B.I.T.S. magazine. Click For Readable Sized Copy For inforation on B.I.T.S (Blues In The South) goto www.bluesinthesouth.com |
