Liverpool based “The Firebird Smith Blues Band” is a seven piece contemporary modern blues band. The band emerged from the collaboration of front man William “Firebird” Smith and Andy McColl(keyboards/vocals), who write both the lyrics and musical arrangements. Jed Flowerday (guitar/vocals), Martin Lyon (Saxophone), Trevor Banks (Trumpet), Terry Sterling (drums), and Paul Barnes (bass) complete the line-up.
The band specialize in “Blacktop Blues” a mix of jazz, blues, soul and funk, which draws upon the American traditions of artists such as Lloyd Jones, Colin James and Delbert McClinton. Contemporary artistes such as Jon Cleary, Robben Ford, Lucky Petersen, and Ana Popovic could also be easily described as fellow travellers in this genre.
Of the new material,the band’s keyboard player Andy McColl says, “its taken us a while to find the right musicians who can deliver the sound we want. I think that the waiting has been worthwhile.”
The band have been together since 2010 playing gigs and festivals around north west England. The 2011 release ” A Place in my Heart” and the subsequent 2013 single “River of Heartache” is when the media and fans alike began to take notice.
One Warrington R@B festival review stated that, “The Firebird Smith Blues Band changed the sound and tempo of the festival with their punchy horn driven soul blues”.
Reviewing the band’s performance at the ‘True Blues Club’, one reviewer commented that the band’s frontman William “Firebird” Smith was, “a performer who grabs the mic and entertains from the first to the last number in their varied set”.
Listen to the band on :
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/user4113632
Website: www.firebirdsmith.com
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