Details of my Gigs - This is a list of previous Gigs
As you can see, I'm getting about a bit geographically and stylistically.  I attend Court Sessions Folk club most Fridays (at Tooting Constitutional Club) and Brooks Blues Bar on any other Fridays (The Telegraph, Putney Heath and London's best accoustic Blues Club).


Friday 11th June

Return of the Follies - Ballads, Blues & Cheeky Jazz A mostly accoustic gig at St Boniface Social Club ( Small Hall, with Bar )
185 Mitcham Road, SW17  9PG (5 mins Tooting Broadway tube) 8.00 pm  £6 on the door (phone me if you want a ticket reserved - or just turn up at the door).

Featuring (in random order)):

Simon Prager & Kevin Stenson (you know...) Little Machine: accoustic instruments, sweet harmonies and watertight harmonies to create songs that draw on a thousand years of poetry.
Jo Stephenson:Wonderfully witty songs on the ukulele.
Tricity Vogue: Cheeky Jazz on a pink Ukulele Compered by Daris Golinski Tricity and Jo are both exceptionally witty performers and have the enormous distinction of being below the age of 40!
Details: http://www.furzedown.net/timetable10xyz.html

17th July Camden Square Festival Camden Square, NW1 4.00-8.00pm free.  I am playing with City Ramblers Revival (we are starting ) together with Speakeasy Jazz band, Little Machine, David Floyd, Hylda Sims and other poets and local performers.  We have done this a couple of times.  It is a lazy laid back local event in a nice park.

21st July The Anchor, Sevenoaks, with Kevin Stenson free.

22nd July Hackney Library with City Ramblers Revival (Details later).  Don't try reading while we're on!
Thursday 4th March at  8.30 Simon Prager & Rob Mason - brilliant Harmonica player - at The Poacher, Hartlake Rd, Tudeley,
Tonbridge, Kent, TN11 0PH http://www.thepoachertudeley.co.uk/events.html They cook decent food so it's worth eating - or you can just sit in the bar and drink.  Book a table at 01732 358 934 The music is FREE!

Thursday 25th March I am running (and playing at) Wizz Jones' night at The Selkirk, 60, Selkirk Rd, Tooting Broadway, London, SW17 0ES  Tel: 0208 672 6235
www.selkirk.co.uk <http://www.theselkirk.co.uk>  £5

Wednesday 31st March I'm doing a spot at Music Hall and Fun Night with a large cast at the Lord Hood pub 300 Creek Road SE10 Near Cutty Sark DLR, Greenwich Admission Free with £2 raffle ticket Pie and Mash Curtain rises 8.30.p.m. A Hoody production 0208 858 2344

Thursday 17th December at  8.30 Simon Prager & Kevin Stenson (Guitar, Harmonica, Vocal) at The Poacher, Hartlake Rd, Tudeley,
Tonbridge, Kent, TN11 0PH http://www.thepoachertudeley.co.uk/events.html They cook decent food so it's worth eating - or you can just sit in the bar and drink.  Book a table at 01732 358 934 The music is FREE!

This Tuesday 1st December 8.30 to 11.00 p.m. I'm playing with Rob Mason - brilliant Harmonica player - at Dartford folk club, Dartford Working Men’s Club in Essex Road, Dartford.  http://www.dartfordfolk.org.uk/

7th- 11th October,
I'm playing with and accompanying Eleanor Ellis on a series of gigs and a project.

Eleanor is a lovely American Country Blues singer and guitarist.  The project is based at the Telegraph on Putney Heath on the afternoons of the 7th-10th October.  It's about the origins of the blues and it's mainly (but not exclusively) directed at late teenagers as part of Black History Month. 
There are also gigs at
      The Poacher (Thursday),
      The Telegraph (Friday) and
      The Library at Crawley (Saturday).
More details will follow about this tour.  If you're interested in the project, contact me.   

Dad, when I grow up I want to be a guitar player.
Look son, you can't do both.

Details:
The Project which is called The Blues Highway runs for 3 afternoons at The Telegraph (details below) as follows:

Wednesday 7th October 4.30-6.30 (Registration 4.00) An Illustrated talk about the origins of the Blues - the music, the people, the history.  With live and recorded music.  The session will be conducted by Eleanor Ellis (vocal, guitar, see below)) with Simon Prager and Errol Linton (harmonica) supporting.

Thursday 8th October at 4.00-6.00 (Registration 3.30) 'master class' for musicians - an instrumental workshop conducted by Eleanor Ellis with Simon Prager and Giles Hedley (ace slide guitar, harmonica and vocals) assisting.  Bring your instrument. 

Friday 9th October at 4.30-5.30 Live concert by Eleanor Ellis and Simon Prager possibly with participation from attenders of the other workshops.

These sessions are FREE and are sponsored by Wandsworth council as part of Black History Month and priority will be given to  young people who live in or attend Wandsworth schools.  However, others may apply and will be welcomed if the sessions are not full. 

If you want to apply, email your request to info@brooksbluesbar.co.uk saying which session(s) you want to attend and saying that you heard about it through this email.  And do it soon!  Numbers are limited.

We are also doing some evening gigs as follows:

Thursday 8th October at 8.45 Eleanor Ellis with Simon Prager and Eddie Armer (harmonica) at The  Poacher, Hartlake Rd, Tudeley,
Tonbridge, Kent, TN11 0PH http://www.thepoachertudeley.co.uk/events.html It's a restaurant and they cook super food so it's worth eating.  Book a table at 01732 358 934.  Alternatively, have a drink in the bar (where we'll be playing).The music is FREE! 

Friday 9th October  at 8.30.  Eleanor Ellis with Simon Prager and Kevin Stenson (guitar, vocal, harmonica) at Brooke's Blues Bar at the Telegraph,
TELEGRAPH ROAD (corner of WILDCROFT ROAD), PUTNEY HEATH, LONDON SW15 3TU http://www.brooksbluesbar.co.uk/Pages/homepage.htm. This is a very nice room with excellent food and drink and super sound.     Price £12.

Saturday 10th October at 8.00 Eleanor Ellis with Simon Prager at the Library, Northgate Avenue, Crawley, RH10 1XG.  You can book tickets in advance from The Hawth:. https://tickets.hawth.co.uk/public/show.asp at £10.  There will probably be tickets on the door too. 

Eleanor Ellis:

“…a delightfully eclectic set, encompassing songs by Memphis Minnie and Chuck Berry, among others…not only a fine guitarist, she has an expressive voice…”  Mike Joyce, Washington Post.

“…dynamic style…a must -see.” Wavelength, New Orleans.

Eleanor is not only a performer but also a writer, archivist, film maker and co-founder of the DC Blues Society. “For Eleanor Ellis her music career was what happened while she was doing what she liked to do.  Fortuitously what she liked to do - creating, recreating preserving and performing basic American blues is also what she believes in.  And what she does well” BARBARA BAMBERGER SCOTT.

Eleanor Ellis developed a distinctive and personal approach to the music and has played in festivals and clubs throughout the USA, Canada and Europe. More than copying one artist or another, Ellis distils the elements of the originals and transmits them. intact, in her own expressive way. She credits her musical reach to such greats as Memphis Minnie, Skip James and other early recording artists as well as the blues players she has personally known.

www.eleanorellis.com

I should add on a personal note that Eleanor is a delightful performer of mainly prewar acoustic blues styles.  There are not many of us left!!

Hope to see you at some of these

September
Sunday, 20th September
I'm doing a Skiffle Festival as part of the Riverfront Jazz Festival (http://www.riverfrontjazz.co.uk/). 
It's at 2.00 pm at the Morden Arms, 1, Brand St, Greenwich, London, SE10 8SP (http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/36/3674/Morden_Arms/Greenwich)

I'm playing with Hylda Sims, Kevin Stenson, George Bridges and possibly John Pilgrim as part of the City Ramblers Revival Skiffle Group.  We are on at 2.00 for about an hour. 
Q. How does a blues band end up with a million dollars? 
A. Start with $2 million.

Saturday 24th September at 8.30
Simon Prager & Kevin Stenson (Guitar, Harmonica, Vocal)at The Poacher, Hartlake Rd, Tudeley, Tonbridge, Kent, TN11 0PH
http://www.thepoachertudeley.co.uk/events.html
They cook decent food so it's worth eating.  Book a table at 01732 358 934
The music is FREE! 

Q. What's the difference between a musician and a large Pizza?
A. A large pizza can feed a family of four.



Sunday 30th:  4.00 pm. 
Merton Abbey Mills - probably on the bandstand and free.  Check with me nearer the date to be sure.

JULY
Friday 10th
I'm at Brooke's Blues Bar at the Telegraph, Putney Heath with Kevin Stenson (guitar,vocal,harmonica) and a guest appearance from singer Vicky Hume (a wonderful singer).  This is a very nice room with excellent food and drink and super sound.  Kevin and Vicky are both wonderful musicians and if you come you will meet many of my (international) cousins who are over for a get together.    Price £10.

Q: What happens if you sing country music backwards?
A: You get your job and your wife back.


Saturday 18th  afternoon
With Hylda Sims and Kevin Stenson in an open air   poetry and music concert in Camden Square. Free. Phone me nearer the date for timings.

Q: How many folk musicians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Seven; one to change and the other six to sing about how good the old one was.
JUNE
Friday 26th
Furzedown Follies - Blues, Folk, Musical Poetry and Cheeky Jazz… Mostly acoustic gig featuring: Simon Prager and Kevin Stenson, Little Machine, Tricity Vogue, Margo Random.  8.00pm at St. Boniface Social Club (small hall), 185 Mitcham Road, Tooting, London SW17 9PG Tickets  £6.00

Q: What is the difference between a guitarist and a Savings Bond?
A: Eventually a Savings Bond will mature and earn money!


April 2009

Friday 24th April
with the City Ramblers Revival Skiffle group at the Poetry Cafe.  http://www.fourthfriday.co.uk/ about 7.30 and about £5-7

Sunday 19th April: 
A massive 2 Is rock and skiffle gig at the 100 club with Chas McDevitt, Vince Eager, Wee Willie Harris and other usual suspects.  from 5.00 pm http://www.tftw.freeuk.com/

Friday 17th April. 
A half hour on Resonance FM radio 104.4 fm with Kevin Stenson.  Introduced by Carol Chant.  2.00 pm

Wednesday 15th
With Rob Mason. Free  The Anchor, Sevenoaks - The Blues with Bottle club.  32 London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1AS Tel: 0871 917 0007

September 2008
Friday 5th September  a skiffle and poetry night with the City Ramblers revival (Hylda Sims, Kevin Stenson, John Pilgrim...).  Venue to be announced.  Might be somewhere near Notting Hill

August 2008
Monday 25th August at Merton Abbey Mills on the bandstand from 4-5 pm.  Part of Abbeyfest 2008 Free

July 2008
30th July, 8.30 in the Bar
KISS ME HARDY(a pub), Near Colliers Wood Tube, Sainsburys etc http://www.pub-explorer.com/gtlondon/pub/kissmehardymerton.htm
The address: Priory Retail Park, Christchurch Road, Collier Wood, Merton, London  SW19 2PP  Tel. 0208 5439631
Honesty compels me to admit that this is not the most beautiful pub in the world.  It is a big modern industrial sort of place.   However, if you were going there anyway, you will now see me there and it's free!

Sunday 6th July, I'm with Hylda Sims and Kevin Stenson at the Toriano: 99 Torriano Avenue, London, NW5 2RX. 020 7267 2751  Price and exact time to follow.  This will be an evening of Poetry and music.

Friday 18th July I'm at the Bent Brief, Lodge road, Southampton with Pete Harris 9.00, Free.

Friday 25th July I'm at the Telegraph, Putney Heath with Kevin Stenson (guitar,vocal,harmonica) and a guest appearance from singer Vicky Hume.  This is a very nice room with excellent food and drink.  Kevin and Vicky are both wonderful musicians and it would be nice to get a crowd for this event.  I will email to remind you of this one.  Meanwhile, make a note in your diary!

June 2008
Saturday, 14th June, I'm in the North East at the Grey Horse in East Boldon, with Graham Robinson, an ace guitar picker in the style of BB Fuller, Blind Blake etc phone me for details if you want them.


April 2008
Sunday 20th  at 7.30.
Simon Prager and Rob Mason: 
Walthamstow Folk at The Plough Inn, 173 Wood Street, Walthamstow, London E17 3NU phone: 07740 612 607
http://www.walthamstowfolk.co.uk/find-us.htm

This is a well organised accoustic music club. Rob is a wonderful Harmonica player (the one on my cd) and we always have fun!


Monday 21st  at 8.45 £5
Simon Prager (& whatever friends I can find)
"Wizz's Sitting Room" at The Selkirk 60 Selkirk Rd SW17  tel:0208 672 6235


March 2008.

Monday 10th  at 8.45pm.  I am at The Selkirk, 60 Selkirk Rd SW17,tel:0208 672 6235.  This is 5 minutes from Tooting Broadway station, easy parking and admission is £5.   This is Wizz Jones' regular Monday gig and I am covering for him.  This pub has nice staff, food and drink. If you bring a friend, you will probably make a significant percentage change to the audience!

Sunday,  16th at 8.30,  £5.  I am doing a gig with Pete Harris (http://www.peteharrisblues.co.uk/home.htm) at GJs, 62 Colliers Wood High Street, close to Colliers Wood tube.  The listings on their site are horribly out of date but there is more info at http://www.brunningonline.net/BBs.html Pete is a well known Blues guitarist and singer around the South coast.  He is also well known on the Folk circuit where he has a Traditional Duo with Mick Ryan.  Our repertoire together is a mixture of Blues, Ragtime and R&B (Rhythm and Blues).

February 2008

Monday 4th  (this monday!) from 8.45pm £5 "Wizz's Sitting Room" upstairs at The Selkirk,60 Selkirk Rd SW17,tel:0208 672 6235 Near Tooting Broadway tube http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/14/1407/Selkirk/Tooting This is Wizz Jones' regular gig.  I am covering for him this monday.  The pub gets good reviews for it's food and drink.

Saturday 16th  2Freemasons Arms, 81/82 Long Acre, Covent Garden.  Near Covent Garden tube.
Doors 7:30 pm Showtime 8pm until 11pm.  Admission £7 (£5 Concessions).
'Washboards from Bohemia' An evening of skiffle and poetry -
Featuring "The City Ramblers Revival": Hylda Sims/Simon Prager/John Pilgrim/Pete Stanley/Kevin Stenson; and poets John Rety, originally from Hungary emigrating to the UK as a young man, a survivor of the fifties bohemian Soho scene; Angela Kirby, another outstanding poet again very much associated with Soho fifties heyday, along with special guest poets/musicians.

The City Ramblers were a well known feature of the soho skiffle scene of the fifties.  We have had a lot of fun reviving it lately.  Hylda and John Pilgrim were original members.  John went on to become washboard player with The Vipers skiffle group and played with myself and Steve Rye, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee and others. 


December 2007

Sunday 9th : Free.  As part of the Wandle Delta String Band (Traditional Dance music from mainly these islands and Europe).   The bandstand, Merton Abbey Mills.  12.00 midday.  For details, see above.

Sunday 16th at 8.30.  £5.  GJs, 62 Colliers Wood High Street, close to Colliers Wood tube.  The listings on their site are horribly out of date but there is more info at http://www.brunningonline.net/BBs.html


November 2007

Wednesday 14th : FRANCE.  Cafe de l'epoque, Rouen, Normandy.  With Masha Vlassova as part of a women's festival 'Chants d'elle'.

Sunday 18th   Free.  The bandstand, Merton Abbey Mills.  12.00 midday.  You can watch whilst shopping or eating at this open air market.
http://www.mertonabbeymills.org.uk/index.php?option=com_contact&Itemid=3
That link has a map.  You can get 2 hours free parking outside the food concessions nearby (pizzahut etc).  I have 'refreshed' the 2 hours free by another 2 hours without mishap in the past.

Friday 23rd  at 8.00 £6.00.  With Masha Vlassova.  Fourth Friday at the Poetry Cafe, Betterton St, Covent Garden. http://www.hylda.co.uk/fourthfriday/venue.html This gig is run by Hylda Sims - polymath (polyma?) and Liz Simcock (excellent singer songwriter).  You get a couple of poets and some music.   We are (most of) the music.  Click on the 'What's on' tab at the site above for more info.  You can get bites to eat and wine upstairs at the cafe but the food tends to run out early.

Friday 30th : Free.  Bent Brief, Lodge Road, Southampton with Pete Harris.


October 2007

Sunday 7th  8.00 I'm appearing at Blaenavon Blues Weekend at the Victoria Inn, Blaenavon, Wales with various Blues luminaries.
http://www.webster.uk.net/HobbiesAndInterests/Music/ValleyBlues/GigGuide.aspx has some info and more will appear there in due course.

Friday 5th  8.00 with Masha Vlassova at Court Sessions, Tooting Constitutional Club 111-113 Tooting High Street, London, SW17 0SU Masha is a great 'classic' blues singer and not to be missed. Turn left coming out of Tooting Broadway tube station.  Go past Sainsbury's and it's on the left at the corner of Tooting High St and Woodbury St. Ring the right hand side bell.  There is free parking on the main road and side streets after 7.00 pm.  It is a big bright room with a bar.  Admission £5.  If you came to the CD launch, it's the same room. .


September 2007

Sun 30th  8-11pm With Will Rutter www.willrutter.com/ (of Gwynn and Will fame) at The Royal Oak <http://www.theoakbar.co.uk>, 135 East Hill, Wandsworth. Free.  Will Rutter is less than half my age!   This is a genuine opportunity to double the audience and it's free!  Last time I was there I saw an absolutely wonderful singer (Ade Omotayo who is in Amy Winehouse's backing band).  There were three of us in the audience! 

Sunday  9th  at 8.30   BB's Blues Club. 
This  is located at GJ's, 62 Colliers Wood High Street, close to Colliers Wood tube. http://www.brunningonline.net/BBs.html has more directions although the gig listings are out of date.  This will probably be me alone.  It costs a measly £5 to get in.


** Please note Change of date **

Sun 2nd  now Sun 16th 8-11pm With Will Rutter www.willrutter.com/ (of Gwynn and Will fame) at The Royal Oak http://www.theoakbar.co.uk, 135 East Hill, Wandsworth. Free.  Will Rutter is less than half my age! I will be there about 9.30 pm

August 2007

Sunday 26th I'm appearing as part of Abbeyfest 2007 at the William Morris pub 8.30-10.00, £5 Merton Abbey Mills http://www.thecolourhouse.net/abbeyfest/index.htm which also has links to the site with directions.  In case that doesn't work 
Abbeyfest is situated in  Merton Abbey Mills   http://www.mertonabbeymills.com  on the A24, Merantun Way, near Colliers Wood & South Wimbledon Northern Line Stations. Bus numbers 57, 152, 155, 200, 293 & 352 stop a few minutes walk away. You can walk from the High Street to the Mills along the River Wandle.



June 2007

Sunday 10th
I'm part of the City Ramblers Revival Skiffle Group which is playing on the Skiffle Boat going from Gravesend to Southend and back again.  It starts at 10.15 am at Gravesend which is not everyone's favourite time of day - not least the performers.  However, it promises to be an extraordinary do.  More details are on the Tales from the woods web site at: http://www.tftw.freeuk.com/.  As you will see, the Gig features Chas McDevitt (remember Freight Train) and Wee Willie Harris.  Our band features Hylda Sims (ex City Ramblers), John Pilgrim (ex Vipers Skiffle Group), myself and Kev Stenson and possibly Pete Stanley.  I believe there are still tickets left.

Sunday 17th 
8.30 I am playing at BB's Blues Club.  This  is located at GJ's, 62 Colliers Wood High Street, close to Colliers Wood tube. http://www.brunningonline.net/BBs.html has more directions although the gig listings are out of date.  This will probably be me alone.

Sunday 24th
I'm part of the Wandle Delta String Band which plays (mainly Celtic and related tunes) at the Wandsworth Society's annual do near the Arndale centre at 1.00 pm.  It's an open air picnic so bring an umbrella.

April 2007

Easter Monday 9th April,
I'm supporting Bo Taylor at the Bull's Head, Barnes. http://www.thebullshead.com/

20th
I'm doing a gig with John Chalis (piano) at BROOKS BLUES BAR at The Telegraph, Telegraph Road (corner of Wildcroft Road) Putney Heath, London SW15 3TU Tel: 020 8788 2011 Bar & food all day - music room doors 8pm - 12.30am Bookings: info@brooksbluesbar.co.uk <mailto:info@brooksbluesbar.co.uk> Admission £7.  This is a very nice room where you can eat.  Worth booking.

28th
I'm playing a lunchtime gig at the Beer blues festival, Beer, Devon.  Phone me for info.

March 2007

25th
I'm doing a skiffle and poetry gig with Hylda Sims and Kev Stenson at the Toriano, 99 toriano avenue nw5 2rx.  Phone: 7267 2751.  The gig starts at 7.30 and we are on at about 8.15.  There will no doubt be some trivial admission fee but I don't know how much.

29th
The Groanbox boys are at the Turks Head, 28 Winchester Road, St Margaret’s, Twickenham TW1 1LF TEL: 020 8892 1972 Bar & food all day - music room doors 8pm - 11.30pm Bookings: info@brooksbluesbar.co.uk <mailto:info@brooksbluesbar.co.uk> Admission £7.  This gig has nothing to do with me but if you haven't yet seen them, The Groanbox boys are an absolute must.  They have made a stunning CD.  They play Accordion and Banjo/Guitar and their music is rooted in blues and old timey.

February 2007
16th  I am doing a short appearance at a gig which is a tribute to Brian Cookman.  The details are as follows:
BROOKS BLUES BAR at The Telegraph, Telegraph Road  (corner of Wildcroft Road),Putney Heath,  London SW15 3TU, Tel: 020 8788 2011,Bar & food all day - music room doors 8pm - 12.30am.  Bookings: info@brooksbluesbar.co.uk <mailto:info@brooksbluesbar.co.uk> Admission £7.
DELTA FLASHBACK :TRIBUTE TO BRIAN COOKMAN more info at  http://www.brooksbluesbar.co.uk/.  There will also be cameo appearances from Dave Peabody, Rob Mason, Kev Stenson...   If you haven't been to the Telegraph before, it is a really nice room and it fills quickly so do book if you want to sit.

18th I'm playing at BBs (a different BBs)  which takes place at GJ's, 62 Colliers Wood High Street, close to Colliers Wood tube. This starts at 8.30

23rd  I'm playing with Pete Harris at the Bent Brief, Lodge Road, Southampton.

January 2007
26th  I am playing at Forest Roots a acoustic music venture started by Jenny Beeching.  It's held at BBs - 53, Hampton Rd, E7 It starts at 8.30 and it's free but there's a whip round
28th  I'm playing in a revival of the City Ramblers skiffle group at a special skiffle/rock and roll day at the hundred club. The gig starts at 5.30 and we're doing about 20 mins.  There will be many 50s luminaries there including Chas McDevitt, Wee Willie Harris ...  Do phone the venue before hand because I've heard rumours that it might be sold out.

December 2006
1st  is another big Launch Gig with Masha and Rob at 8.00 at COURT SESSIONS. 
For this night, the club will be running at:Tooting Constitutional Club Ltd 111-113 Tooting High Street, London, SW17 0SU
Map - Click here Turn left coming out of Tooting Broadway tube station.  Go past Sainsbury's and it's on the left at the corner of Tooting High St and Woodbury St. Ring the right hand side bell. There is free parking on the main road and side streets after 7.00 pm.  It is a big bright room with a bar.
November 2006
2nd 8.00 I'm playing in the 'City Ramblers Revival'  skiffle group with Hylda Sims, John  Pilgrim  and Pete Stanley at the Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton St, Covent Garden.  John Retty will be reading some of his poetry that night. more info at: http://www.fourthfriday.co.uk/

12th 8.30 is the first launch gig at BB's Blues Club.  This  is located at GJ's, 62 Colliers Wood High Street, close to Colliers Wood tube. http://www.brunningonline.net/BBs.html has more directions although the gig listings are out of date.  This will probably be me alone.

16th  8.00 is a big Launch gig with Rob and Masha at:BROOKS BLUES BAR, At The Turks Head, 28 Winchester Road, St Margaret’s, Twickenham TW1 1LF TEL: 020 8892 1972 more info at http://www.brooksbluesbar.co.uk/Pages/turks_head.htm

24th I'm playing with Pete Harris at the Bent Brief, Lodge Road, Southampton