The Coalminers
“The sound they have put down is perfect”
Craig Charles, BBC Radio 2
With their dedication to what they like to refer to as “Swamp Soul” this brilliant 7 piece Americana band, with their unique mixture of New Orleans Groove and Funk, bring the rhythm and soul of the deep south (that's Louisiana, not Brighton...) alive. As well as a Jazz/Groove/Blues rhythm section second to none the band also features the brilliant singer/guitarist Tommy Hare, the striking 6'6" vocalist who describes his life's work as "mastering the great American musical traditions of blues, rock & roll, country and soul" and the wonderful Sumudu, whose work with the likes of Rod Stewart, Jamie Cullum, Mike Lindup from Level 42 and most recently the iconic singer/songwriter Van Morrison has put her at the forefront of the UK vocal scene. And the rest of the band is equally as impressive, featuring drummer Pat Levett (Ian Shaw, The Puppini Sisters, Ronnie Scott's All Stars), the brilliant singer/pianist Arthur Lea (Bootleg Brass, Soweto Kinch) who has a US solo recording on a massive and eclectic cv, saxophonist Ben Somers (Dr John, Seal, Taylor Swift), guitarist Rob Updegraff (Jamie Cullum) and bass player Jules Jackson (Jamie Cullum). If recent gigs are anything to go by this highly impressive line-up are guaranteed to raise the roof.
"From time to time I stumble on a band that totally blows me away...The sound they have put down is perfect" Craig Charles - BBC Radio 2; “Tommy Hare...just oozes charisma. He has already sung with members of the Rolling Stones and has a classic rock, soul, blues voice. People came and said ‘whoa, he’s a star’” GetWestLondon; "Sumudu...is quite simply an outstanding talent...a voice like honey" BBC