CHRISTINE COLLISTER & DAVE KELLY

Few artists can genuinely claim to have lived and breathed the history of modern roots music quite like Dave Kelly and Christine Collister. Between them they represent over a century of musical experience, stretching from the British blues explosion of the 1960s through folk, Americana, country, soul and contemporary acoustic music, right up to the present day in 2026.

Dave Kelly's story begins in post-war South London, where as a young teenager he was swept up in the first wave of skiffle, rock 'n' roll and American folk music. Inspired by artists such as Buddy Holly and later captivated by the raw emotional power of Delta and Chicago blues, Dave became immersed in a world that would ultimately shape the course of British blues history. Alongside his late sister, the legendary Jo Ann Kelly, he became one of the earliest and most authentic interpreters of American blues music in Britain, helping to keep traditional acoustic blues alive during the late 1960s folk club boom.

By 1967, Dave had joined The John Dummer Blues Band, quickly earning a reputation as one of the finest slide guitarists on the UK circuit. During the great British Blues Boom, while names such as Eric Clapton, Peter Green and John Mayall were making headlines, Dave was quietly building a reputation among musicians as one of the most respected and authentic blues craftsmen of his generation. Repertoire Records described him as "one of the most important performers" to emerge from that era.

What followed reads like a roll call of blues royalty. Dave performed, toured and shared stages with some of the true architects of the genre including Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy and Son House. Few British musicians can claim such direct connections to the original masters. As one reviewer observed, "If there is such a thing as a British blues pedigree, then Dave Kelly's sets the standard."

During the late 1960s and early 1970s he also formed part of the celebrated blues collective Tramp, rubbing shoulders with members of Fleetwood Mac including Mick Fleetwood and Danny Kirwan, while simultaneously forging his own identity as a solo artist, bandleader and songwriter.

In 1979 came the formation of The Blues Band alongside Paul Jones, Tom McGuinness, Gary Fletcher and Hughie Flint. The group would become one of the most influential and successful blues bands Britain has ever produced, helping ignite a second major blues revival throughout the UK. Over the following four decades they released more than twenty albums, toured relentlessly across Europe and built a fiercely loyal audience. Their final chapter came in 2023 when they completed their long-awaited farewell tour after forty-two remarkable years.

Today Dave remains one of the most revered figures on the British blues scene. Critics continue to praise his playing, with Chris Welch noting his "mastery of slide guitar," while another reviewer described a Dave Kelly performance as "a master class in old and new downright dirty blues."

Alongside him stands Christine Collister, a singer whose voice has become one of the most admired and instantly recognisable in British roots music.

Born and raised on the Isle of Man, Christine's musical journey began through local folk clubs and acoustic music circles before her extraordinary vocal talent attracted wider attention during the mid-1980s. Her breakthrough arrived when she performed the theme song for the BBC drama series The Life and Loves of a She-Devil, introducing her remarkable voice to a national audience.

It was not long before one of Britain's greatest songwriters came calling. In 1985 Christine joined Richard Thompson's touring band as vocalist and acoustic guitarist, stepping into a role previously occupied by Linda Thompson. Over four years she toured internationally, appeared on six Richard Thompson albums and became an integral part of one of the most respected live bands of the era.

During those years she also began a celebrated partnership with singer-songwriter Clive Gregson. Together they released a string of critically acclaimed albums that blended folk, country, pop and Americana influences with stunning vocal harmonies. Their recordings remain highly regarded and helped establish Christine as one of the defining voices of contemporary British folk music.

Over the following decades her career expanded in countless directions. She became a sought-after collaborator, working with Daphne's Flight, Loudon Wainwright III, Iain Matthews, Hell Bent Heaven Bound, Michael Fix, Wild Honey Orchestra and many others, while simultaneously developing a substantial solo catalogue of recordings that showcased her unique ability to move effortlessly between folk, blues, jazz, country and soul.

The critical acclaim has remained constant throughout her career. The Times famously described her voice as "a voice personally delivered by God," while Froots praised her as possessing "a killer voice." More recently, reviewers have written of her "gravity-defying voice," while others have described her performances as simply "mesmerising."

Together, Dave Kelly and Christine Collister create something truly special. Their partnership is built not only upon decades of musical experience but upon a shared love of great songs. Their performances draw from an enormous musical landscape encompassing blues, soul, country, folk, gospel, rock 'n' roll and Americana. Expect classic songs from Stax and Tamla Motown, timeless material from The Band, Emmylou Harris, The Everly Brothers and Elvis Presley, alongside contemporary songwriting gems and beautifully crafted original compositions.

More than simply a concert, an evening with Dave Kelly and Christine Collister is a journey through the history of modern roots music itself — performed by two artists who have stood shoulder to shoulder with many of the musicians who helped create it. Warm, intimate, humorous, deeply moving and filled with breathtaking musicianship, this is a rare opportunity to experience two genuine masters of their craft up close and personal in a setting where every note, every lyric and every story can truly be heard.