​​With “a burgeoning reputation as a fine blues guitarist”, Welsh-British musician, Rhydian Wyn and his "Blue Fire" collective tell the complete story of the blues, from delta and cotton fields to classy European jazz clubs. This will launch Blue Saturday on the Frontier Stage, where, throughout the day the Frontier Stage will play host to a variety of artists broadly united by blues, in one form or another.

Rhydian Wyn and the Blue Fire, house band at The Stage Blues Club (North Nottinghamshire’s very own “Ronnie Scott’s”) bring their authentic blues show to this year’s festival, following a well-received series of performances at the “late night blues sessions” and “Sunday Spiritual Blues” slots over the past two years here.

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Rhydian’s love of music, formed in the traditions of Wales and his Irish fore-bearers, collided with rock and roll and took the short hop to the plaintive ballads and evocative cries of the blues. Rhydian’s guitar style, forged in clubs from Camden to as far afield as Belgium and Thailand, refreshingly combines Celtic tunings and melody with refined, classy blues. 

 

Rhydian has gathered a group of fine musicians to perform every aspect of the blues. On acoustic and resonator slide guitar, Ian “Doc” Shellard will showcase Delta and Piedmont pre-war blues. A stalwart of the Nottingham Blues Scene, he has previously performed with Woody Mann, Michael Messer and Ian Siegal.

 

With his ability to create deep, rich, melodic sound in the space normally occupied by keyboards, Jonathan Crossley joins on electric guitar. Described as ‘the poster boy for modern guitar’ by Guitar Moderne, Jonathan lectures in music at Liverpool University, where he is currently researching into traditional African instruments in worship.

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The rhythm section for this iteration of “Blue Fire” is composed of bassist, Cesare Cassarino, who's worked as a blues, jazz and experimental session musician, collaborating with fellow artists from Johannesburg (RJ Benjamin, Battery 9, Pops Mohammed) and Eastern Cape (Loyiso Bala).  Also hailing from South Africa, drummer and percussionist Etienne Oosthuysen has worked as a session musician for South African acts (Karen Zoid, Robbie Wessels, Dozi) and in touring musical theatre (e.g. We Will Rock You).

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They are joined by Maria Waters on vocals.

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The video below features a different band line-up playing GTSF 2024.

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