The band started out as the ‘house band’ playing at Bob’s Goodtime Blues at the Station Tavern, London W10 in the mid 90’s. A regularly Sunday lunchtime spot turned into a long-term residency at the venue and the ‘house band’ simply became ‘Station House’. The band was billed as a ‘Blues-Soul fusion featuring the classy vocals of Root Jackson and 1999’s Blues Drummer of the Year, Sam Kelly ’ .
Station House has played at the Burnley Blues Festival, South Hill Park Blues Festival, Theatre Royal, Stratford and several venues on the London pub ‘blues scene’ Predominately the band have played at private venues, in demand because of their mix of danceable music and vibrant personalities.
All the band members come from a non-blues background so the unique blues sound that they have created is a fusion of their influences such as British funk, soul, jazz, calypso and reggae. The result is a mix of music which is far different to the norm, but still with its roots based firmly in the blues.
In February 2007 Station House also formed as part of "The Soul Britannia All-Stars" Band backing Madeline Bell, Linda Lewis, Carol Grimes, Mick Eve (Gonzales), Hamish Stuart and Cymande (of which Sam was a part of originally).
The core members of the band are:
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Sam Kelly - Drums / MD
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Voted British Blues Connection “Drummer of the Year” for five years running.
A versatile, creative, energetic player, Sam can regularly be seen drumming with Geoff Achison, Papa George Band, Giles Hedley & The Aviators, Empire State, The UK Funk Allstars and Errol Linton Blues Vibe, to name but a few….. But Sam’s main passion is his own band, Station House
Sam’s vast experience includes playing with Gary Moore, Stan Webb, Sista Monica, Eddie Floyd, Big Joe Duskin, Johnny Mars, Fred James, Sonny Black, Zoot Money and more! He was the drummer on the Gordon Haskell hit “How Wonderful You Are”. Sam recently worked with Gary Moore, playing on his new album 'Bad For You Baby' (released in 2008) and toured with him in Germany. He’s also played theatre engagements including the West End Production of 125th Street (2002-2003) The Blues Brothers 1997 UK Tour, Ain't Misbehavin, Blues In The Night, All Or Nothing At All and has TV & film credits: That’s Life, Not the Nine O’clock News and Ebony. Sam was the drums music teacher for the UK film ‘Swing’..
Sam brings the unique rhythm and drive to Station House, playing as people often say ‘lead drums.’ |
Spy - Bass / Vocals
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Spy has been playing reggae bass for more than 20 years. He has performed and toured with some of Jamaica's most prominent artists and groups such as Gregory Issacs, Desmond Dekker, Earl 16, I Roy, Mikey General, I Jah Man Levi as well as with British reggae artists such as Boy George, Mad Professor, Drumhead, Progressive Sounds Crew and Benjamin Zephaniah.
Spy provides a solid back line, but moves effortlessly from ‘solid’ to ‘explosive’ as a groove develops |
Paul Jobson - Keyboards / Vocals
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Gigging since age 9 and undertaking session work since age 13, Paul Jobson is recognised as a versatile, creative and above all talented player.
2002 saw Paul join 'Tommy Allen's Trafficker' which resulted in touring with Big Joe Turner, Mojo Buford and Michael Roach. Paul left Trafficker in December 2004 to become a session musician and since then he has played alongside Chaka Khan (who described Paul as “a prodigy”), LeBurn, Debbie Bond, Giles Hedley, Earl Green, Hamish Stewart, Linda Lewis and Pete French.
Now in 2007 you can see Paul perform with the Dr JJ’s Blues Band, The UK Funk All Stars, Geoff Achison and the UK Soul Diggers, Bob Bowles, Collette Wilkinson, 3rd Degree LeBurn, and of course Sam Kelly’s Station House.
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Tony Qunta - Guitar / Vocals
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Tony has recently joined Station House and will also be playing with Primo Blue and Sam Kelly’s Blues Band.
As a working musician, with over 20 years in the business, Tony has in the past worked with artists such as 'Odyssey', Mervyn Afrika, Cheryl Alleyne, Mamadi Kamara, Kabbala, Grace Kennedy and Johnny Mars, as well as working in the West End and on tour with 'Dancing In The Streets', 'Tell Me On A Sunday' and 'Soultrain'.
Tony has recently co written and performed on tracks with 'Direct Drive' vocalist, Helen Rogers, EP 'Eyes Like Midnight' released April 2008.
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Jerome Marcus - Percussion / Vocals
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Jermone brings a percussion connection
which enhances the sensitivity and vibrancy
of the band’s already contagious groove.
Drumming since the age of six, his vast
experience includes work with Johnny Mars,
Steve Simpson, Mark Feltham and the late
Steve Waller. Other brief projects with the
late Irish blues axeman Rory Gallagher, Mick
Karn and touring alongside Mary Wilson &
The Wilsations, Haircut 100, Wang Chung
and many chart artists. He took on the
drumseat with BC Sweet after the death of
Brian Connelly touring Europe whilst
supporting Slade. With Station House, he
reveals his true potential and performance.
“...a damn fine percussionist” – Sam Kelly |
TJ Johnson - Guitar / Vocals
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In the early years of learning to play the guitar TJ spent most of his time on the Continent of Europe playing 6 nights a week, 5 sets a night and mainly soul covers... This hard graft paid off in terms of making him the superb player he is today...
TJ discovered blues in the mid 80's, and the interest has grown stronger and stronger.
T.J. first worked with Sam Kelly in Germany in the early 80's in the Precious Wilson Band, and since then they have continued to develop a very healthy respect for each other's playing.
As well as working in ‘Blues of Cain’ and ‘Station House’, T.J. runs his own band, ‘Bold as Love’, playing blues and funk, which keeps him very busy... And that’s just the way he likes it. |
Winston Delandro - Guitar / Vocals
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Winston Delandro first started regularly playing the guitar at the age of 14 in his spare time. It wasn't until the age of 18 that he started playing professionally in a band, when he went over to Italy in 1968 and played at his first major gig with a band that he started up himself, they called themselves 'The African People'.
During his long running career, Winston Delandro has had the opportunity to work with some greatly acclaimed artists, such as; Joan Armatrading, Billy Ocean, Eric Clapton, Boney M, Snowy White, Jimmy Ruffin ('What Becomes of the Broken Hearted'), Mica Paris, Osibisa, to name but a few.
Winston loves to do live performances, and regularly plays at a variety of top London hotspots. However, he does produce music for TV programmes, and has had a number of successful songs to be featured on a variety of different films
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©2007 Sam-Kelly.com |
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