User:Marc BS1/sandbox



Screamin' Miss Jackson and the Slap Ya Mama Big Band

Formed after travelling through the American south in 2013, April Jackson and Marc Griffiths put together a band that would be reminiscent of the great New Orleans street bands they had seen that year. Collecting the best of their friends, all musicians borrowed from other Bristol bands (Howlin’ Lord, Crippled Black Phoenix, Slimline Shufflers, Poor Old Dogs), they started out on a musical journey of their own.

The band consists of: April Jackson (washboard and vocals) Marc Griffiths (Banjo and vocals) Mark Legassick (Mandolin, Guitar and vocals) Rebecca Philip (Guitar and vocals) Henry Slim (Harmonica and vocals) Mandrake Fantastico (Double Bass) and Robert William Alexander III (Drums).

They work through a variety of material, drawing influence from such diverse players such as early bluesman Casey Bill Weldon, Tampa Red and the wonderful Memphis Minnie, 20’s and 30’s Jazz singers like Georgia White, Anita Carter or Lil Hadin, the western swing feel of The Texas Playboys and finally mixing all that up with the country folk of Doc Watson. Whether its their own original tunes or their own unique take on an early classic the energy and passion all seven have for the music is more than apparent.

Late to the UK festival circuit in 2013, they got off to a flying start playing Mischief festival in late September. However 2014 saw them announce themselves properly releasing their first EP on Little Paradise records in May before going on to play Glastonbury, Boomtown, Bearded Theory, Grillstock, Outwest, Holifair, Funny as Folk, Worcester Music Festival, Glastnost, Stagfest and Free for All Festival. On top of this they supported the likes of Reverend Peyton and the Big Damn Band, Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra, The Corn Potato String Band and The Black Twig Pickers.

In 2015 they are keeping this momentum going, already booked for and returning to Glastonbury, Boomtown Fair, Mischief, and OUTwest and making their debuts at Wilderness, Fire in the Mountain and Wonkydonk amongst others. They aim to release their Debut Long Player in the autumn of 2015.