The Michael Roach Band at the Komedia
Published 8th Nov 2006 by Quite Grt Publicity

Introducing the Michael Roach Band, eight musicians dedicated to the soulful sound of rhythm and blues. After eighteen months of rehearsing and writing songs, blues singer/guitarist Michael Roach teamed up to form a band with keyboardist Danny McCormack and saxophonist, Paul Corry. The result of this collaboration will be the debut release of ‘I Betcha!’ in the autumn of 2006.

Michael Roach, originally from Washington D.C. and now resident in the UK for the past eleven years, is an internationally acclaimed country blues artist. He is firmly established in traditional music circles. Michael is currently the Director of the European Blues Association Incorporating the Archive of African American Music, a registered charity based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. He also presented a series called ‘Deep Blue’ on BBC Radio 4 in 2003.

As a featured vocalist on Bernie Marsden’s (former guitar player and songwriter for the rock band 'Whitesnake') ‘Big Boy Blue’ album in 2002, Michael developed confidence in his ability to front a band as a singer from the experience of touring with the ‘who’s who’ of British rock and roll. During the 'American Festival of the Blues' tour in the United Kingdom in 2003, Michael met the talented Danny McCormack and Paul Corry. This led to the trio’s pact to rehearse and write new music throughout the years 2004/05.

In the end, they recorded fourteen tracks with three covers (one by Curtis Mayfield, ‘People Get Ready’, one by Bobby Bland, ‘I Pity the Fool’ and another by Hank Ballard, ‘Let’s Go, Let’s Go, Let’s Go’). From the southern soulful sound of ‘I Betcha!’ to the big band sound of ‘Baby No, No, No’, this album has it all. Above all, the Michael Roach Band is full of energy and is a true crowd pleaser.

It has been a natural transition for Michael to go from his years as an acoustic performer to leading a big band, creating the resonance of the music that he grew up with.

Band Members:

Michael Roach, Vocals

Danny McCormack, Keyboards and Organ - Van Morrison, The Roy Wood Band, Pete Williams (Dexy's Midnight Runners), Big Jay Mcneely, Lazy Lester etc.

Paul Corry, Tenor Saxophone - Deitra Farr, Sugar Ray Norcia, Jimmy Thomas, Bobby Parker etc.

Sam Kelly, Drums - Cymande, Desmond Dekker, Michelle Shocked, Sista Monica, Eddie Floyd, Johnny Mars, Screaming J Hawkins, Dr John, Chaka Khan, Ben E. King etc.
Roger Inniss, Bass - Don Weller, Jim Mullen, Climax Blues Band, Sherman Robinson, Ruby Turner, Edwin Starr, Errol Brown, The Platters, Kid Creole etc.
George ‘Jackie’ Lee, Guitar - Sir Joe and the Free Soul Band, Wilson Pickett, The Orioles etc.

Mike Burney, Alto Saxophone - Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Roy Wood’s Wizard, Chaka Khan etc.

Dan Hammerton, Trumpet, Trombone and Flugelhorn - Brasshoppers, Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Pasadena Roof Orchestra etc.

The Michael Roach Band play at the Komdia on 22nd November.

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