For Immediate Release

Feeling the blues?
Come celebrate life at UBLUES Fest!

12th and 13th July @ Fort Canning Green

Gates open at 4pm for workshops, performances starts at 6pm till late

"…Making musical history…as the unique experience, imagery and sounds of African - American and Asian musicians blend to add a new and exciting dimension to the blues…"
Bruce Iglauer, Founder of Grammy winning Allligator Records

UBLUES Fest 2003, Singapore's Blues, Soul & Funk Experience, will feature international acclaimed as well as exciting upcoming artists from Italy, America, Australia and our own Singaporean bands coming to celebrate music as a common platform promoting cultural and musical friendships. This is also a special year as the US Senate has declared 2003 as "Year of the Blues" to promote blues music and the festival joins in to celebrate the inspiration of the blues - the most influential and important music creation coming out of America. Expect infectious funk, energetic soul and passionate blues numbers with the eclectic mix of musicians.

Enrico Crivellaro Trio -Italy
Bill Heid Trio -USA
Mandy Gaines with ChormaZone - USA
Blue Shaddy Band - Australia
Mia Dyson - Australia
Chelsea J - Australia
Soul Satisfaction - Singapore
Ublues - Singapore

Sunday Blues and Swing night
Keyboard clinic by Alberto Marsico
Chelsea J (with Trevor Jalla)
Bill Heid Trio
Mandy Gaines with ChromaZone
Blue Shaddy
Enrico Crivellaro Trio
UBLUES Fest All-star Jam
DJ Spin that funky wheel!

Saturday Funk and Soul night
Guitar clinic by Enrico Crivellaro
UBLUES with Chelsea J
Mia Dyson
Soul Satisfaction
Enrico Crivellaro Trio
Blue Shaddy
Spin that funky wheel!

Expect the best of infectious funk, energetic soul and passionate blues numbers with the eclectic mix of musicians. In the UBLUES fest tradition, there will be informative clinics by festival artists Enrico Crivellaro and Alberto Marsico on Saturday and Sunday afternoon respectively. There will also be impromptu and spontaneous jams throughout the festival leading to the Sunday night finale UBLUES Fest All-star Jam which will feature Enrico C Trio and Ublues on the same stage for the first time! This will be a 7-piece band with 2 drummers on stage and will include special performances by festival artists and other surprise guests. Don’t miss this!

About UBLUES Fest - "Blues - Universal Language"
UBLUES Fest started as a dream by festival founder/director Danny Loong to use music as a platform to unite people and promote respect and understanding. Together with partner, Trevor Jalla, they caused a stir at it's inaugural festival in Australia 2001 and in Singapore in 2002. Now in 2003, which is declared the "Year of the Blues" by the US Senate with the main objective of honouring and celebrating blues music, the boys with partners Caldwell Arts Entertainment joins in and are back to bring you UBLUES Fest 2003. Come enjoy the universal vibe and celebrate the beauty of humanity!

What to expect at UBLUES Fest:

Food and Beverage - The soulful music is complimented with the offering of food glorious food and soul-quenching drinks as Singapore's favourite music bars and clubs will be invited to participate at the Festival with the promotion of food, beer and wine.

Music Clinics - To promote interactive music education and audience participation, the festival artists will also be conducting fun and informative workshops on both days. This year will feature for the first time, a guitar and hammond organ workshops by Enrico Crivellaro and Alberto Marsico from Italy.

"This workshop is designed for guitarists who wish to bridge the gap between blues and swing/jazz playing in a basic but effective way, giving them ideas to develop their music further." Enrico Criverallaro

Festival web-cast - UBLUES Fest 2003 will feature a real-time web-cast for the second year by our media partners, Walker Asia Entertainment at their web site. www.SingaporeWalker.com

What has been said about the festival:

"It was certainly an enjoyable and entertaining evening that kept many toes and fingers tapping!"
Charles Leong, Senior Director, Singapore Tourism Board

"The UBlues Band, along with Smokey Ng from Singapore, Farid Ali from Malaysia, Blues Shaddy and Rick Steele from Australia and the Holmes Brothers from the US -- prompted all races… to dance. "
Jonathan Landreth, Reuters (published in Taipei Times, Bangkok Post, CNN.com. Yahoo News and others)

The event was like a massively successful Happy Hour under the stars."
Twenty4Seven Magazine, Singapore

Admission Charges

Early Bird Gate
Adult 1 Day : S$25 $30
Adult 2 Day Pass : S$40 $45
Student 1 Day : S$20 $25
Student 2 Day Pass : S$30 $35

Group discounts available. Contact festival managers Caldwell Arts Entertainment
Tel: +65 6332 6275 Fax: +65 6334 3801
E-mail: sandra@caldwellarts.com.sg or enquiries@ublues.com

Official festival web site: www.ublues.com
Festival Manager's web site: www.caldwellarts.com.sg

Media personnel, please call Sandra Goh at 98171523 or e-mail sandra@caldwellarts.com.sg or Danny Loong at 97719453, danny@ublues.com if there are any queries or request for promotion materials or interviews.

Festival artistes and bands bios

ENRICO CRIVELLARO TRIO (ITALY)
Featuring Enrico Crivellaro (guitar), Alberto Marsico (keyboards) and Gio Rossi (drums)

Enrico Crivellaro, a former student of Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard and Kenny Burrell is now regarded as one of the world's most exciting guitarists, having won the Swing Awards' "Best Swing Guitarist of the Year" for his work with Royal Crown Revue over acclaimed guitarists Brian Setzer and Sean Costello. He has played at the most renowned clubs and festivals in America, Europe, Australia and Asia sharing the bill with blues legends like John Lee Hooker and BB King. Having learned his skills directly from the master Jack McDuff, Alberto Marsico is regarded as one of Europe's finest Hammond B-3 players. His amazing resume including work with blues legend Jimmy Witherspoon and Deep Purple's drummer Ian Paice. Gio Rossi is a well-demanded musician with an enthusiastic passion for the vintage drum sounds and grooves of Gene Krupa, Louie Bellson, and Fred Below.

"Three of the finest exponents of the swing/blues trio format that we'll ever hear; these guys don't just play their instruments they caress them".
Ron Spain, Jazz Scene Magazine, Australia

"Despite his young age Enrico Crivellaro is quickly becoming recognized as one of the great world touring guitarists."
Toronto Blues Society, Maple Blues, Canada

BILL HEID TRIO (USA)
Bill Heid Trio are Kennedy Center/Department of State Jazz Ambassadors. Keyboardist Bill Heid has led his own groups as well as played with such jazz artists as Grant Green, Sonny Stitt, and David "Fathead" Newman, and with blues artists including Son Seals, Jimmy Witherspoon, John Lee Hooker, Ko Ko Taylor, and Roy Buchanan. Heid has appeared at numerous prestigious festivals including the Monterey Jazz Festival, and his work has been heard on European and American media including NBC's Dateline. Bassist Patrick O'Leary has toured with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and the Illinois Jacquet Orchestra and recorded the Grammy-nominated "Sentimental Journey" with Hampton. Other leading artists with whom O'Leary has played with include James Moody and Diana Krall. Drummer Michael Petrosino completes the Trio with an extensive experience backing such entertainers as The Fifth Dimension, Lou Rawls, The Temptations and Gladys Knight.

MIA DYSON (AUSTRALIA)
Australian rising star Mia Dyson first heard Jimi Hendrix at 14 and immediately picked up the electric guitar, and has since developed a tough, soulful style that shows a far-reaching and mature grasp of the electric guitar. In her performance, she also plays the lap steel and baritone guitars and has become a unique, versatile musician and singer. Her influences from artists such as Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder, Little Feat, Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Lucinda Williams, Chris Whitley and Ani Di Franco.

CHELSEA GIBSON (AUSTRALIA)
Chelsea Gibson emerged the winner of the 'Australasian Singing Championships' in Perth and Surfers Paradise in 1997 and was invited to sing in the US at 'Planet Hollywood Studios' in Hollywood, and featured on the T.V. show 'Fast track to Fame' with an international audience of over 40 million viewers. With 15 years of training in vocals, drama, jazz ballet, tap, piano, drum kit and harmonica, Chelsea also acted in the movie 'Dingo' starring Miles Davies and Colin Friels playing the lead child role 'Jane' in 1989.

BLUE SHADDY (AUSTRALIA)
Back by popular demand! Blue Shaddy was the crowd favourite of UBLUES Fest 2002 last year. Drawing from many influence and styles, with a background in blues and a leaning towards dance rhythms. Blue Shaddy has a unique sound, which is best described as "new roots" with infectious grooves and outstanding musicianship. They will get you on your feet!

MANDY GAINES (USA) with CHROMAZONE (SINGAPORE)
Mandy Gaines, a talented and versatile performer has delighted audience all over the world with her soulful renditions. Highlights include opening for Herbie Hancock and winning "Best R&B Vocalist" in Cincinnati's music award show. Mandy will be backed up by ChromaZone, a group of accomplished musicians, performing a mix of traditional and modern Jazz, Blues and R&B with a little Funk & Soul, and the mood swings from cool to red hot, creating a sassy party atmosphere. The band's inspirations are diverse, from Jazz great's Charlie Parker and Ella Fitzgerald, to music legends Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye.

SOUL SATISFACTION (SINGAPORE)
Soul Satisfaction is a Singaporean born funk and soul band who emerged winners of Europa's 'Battle of the Bands 2002'. The band's main influences are Tower of Power, Average White Band and the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. Their funky performance is fun-filled as they perform magical funky grooves in pseudo-retro costumes and Afro wigs!

UBLUES (SINGAPORE)
"The Universal Blues Band plays and sings the blues with deep feeling and real taste. They are excellent musicians who compare favorably with the finest American blues bands. The intensity and honesty of their music truly moved me". Bruce Iglauer, Founder of Grammy winning Alligator Records

"This is just great. These guys are having a ball and its shows. The playing is first class...four stars" (Rated excellent) Ben Bartlett, Guitarist Magazine (UK)

Book your tickets now at Ticketcharge! Special two-day pass and concession rates available.
Free admission for children under 7. Bring the whole family!

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