Artists
2011 Performing Artists
Acoustic Wobblies
This is going to be a high octane jam session from some of the North West's top musicians. These guys don't take themselves too seriously and will deliver a funky, bluesy, hip swinging groove that will have you dancin' for more!
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Paul Mc Intyre Trio
Peter Doherty on double bass and conor McAuley on drums. Playing Jazz standards and familiar jazz vocal classics.
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Shortfuse Blues Band
Short Fuse Blues are a Monaghan based quartet who pull no punches as they deliver a blistering rendition of all the blues greats. Their first outing at the Dunfanaghy Blues Festival promises to be a 'must-see' gig for all rock/blues enthusiasts.
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Rab McCullough Blues Band
This Irish blues guitar legend needs no introduction. He thrills the crowd with his energy and conviction..not to be missed.
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Balkan Alien Sound
Here to tickle your musical sensibilities, not quite blues, not quite jazz, but who cares!! Guaranteed you have heard nothing quite like these guys. It's all in the name!
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Paul Buckley Trio
Pauls trio 'Blues and Beyond' features drummer Gary Porter from Lifford Co. Donegal and bass guitarist Dave Wintour who was one of the main session men in London throughout the '70's and appears on many classic rock albums from that time.He recorded and gigged with with Stealers Wheel, Rick Wakeman, Neil Sedaka, Ian Gillan, Russ Ballard, the pioneering jazz rock band 'If' and blues bands The Pretty Things and Chicken Shack.
Together they play original new songs written by Paul and improvise new arrangements of old favourites.
www.paulbuckley.co.uk
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The Hardchargers
Blues and Roots Rock played with guts, intensity and skill. The Hardchargers are a relentless live band who live and breath the music they play. Expect a handful of original tunes and the appearance of Washboard and Dobro to keep things interesting.
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Mark Black Band
This power trio is far from your traditional blues based outfits. Featuring amplified 12 string acoustic guitars, lap steel, didjireedoo, pumping driving roots rhythms grooves that make this act one of the hottest and dynamic live acts around. The band is led by singer/songwriter and guitarist Mark Black, whose musical credentials include 3 self produced studio albums and a double live album and concert dvd featuring the 13 Piece Big Band "The Roots Orchestra".
The band also features the talents of Seamus Devenny on drums and percussion and Brendan McGlynn on bass. Mark is a regular at this and other festivals throughout Ireland and he has also appeared at Glastonbury. His distinctive style of "rootsy blues" often combines rock, country and Celtic influences into the powerful mix.
Over the past number of years he has toured with and supported amongst others, Alabama 3, Paddy Casey, Mundy, Hot House Flowers, Jerry Fish & The MudBug Club, Brian Kennedy, Duke Special, Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford from Squeeze.
» www.markblackmusic.com
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Sugarfoot
Reformed and playing at their best we welcome the original line up back to Dunfanaghy. These guys were THE ORIGINALS playing blues, soul and rock classics in their own unique style. Who fancies a trip down memory lane!!
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Mark Braidner Band
Mark from Belfast plays slide guitar like he's walked straight out of the Mississippi Delta. Absolutely brilliant.
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Bourbon Swing Jazz Band
The Bourbon Swing Jazz Band, one of Northern Ireland's best Dixieland bands, was formed a few years ago by a group of friends who were asked to play together at a charity fund raising event. Since then it has evolved into a band which plays in the New Orleans tradition.
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Jeremy Wallace Trio
Musically trained by Dave van Ronk, Wallace is a unique artist with dark forboding shadows and Delta drone. Wallace pours out cranking picking and chords from his electric dobro. The band cooks like an acoustic blast of whoop-ass yet he can wax rhapsodic and smooth, too.
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Alan McKelvey
Alan's influences are varied and probably too many to mention, but here goes: Joe Cocker, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Robben Ford, Gary Moore, Matt Schofield, Bernie Marsden, John Mayall, Rory Gallagher and PETER GREEN...are you getting the picture? Recently Alan has been working with the very talented Kevin Brennan on Piano / Keyboards.
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Rory Clements Duo
One of the Northwest most dynamic piano players, Rory will be teaming up with the Rat Pack Maestro Jason Maguire delivering the Frank Sinatra classics to name but a few
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The Men That Knew Too Much
These 'well informed men' play a mixture of blues, alt country, cajun and folk with an odd Hawaian number thrown in for good measure! Featuring Percy Robinson(guitar,dobro,vocals), Egon(guitar,vocals) and Sean McCarron(saxophone,percussion), these 3 outstanding musicians play a diverse mix and never fail to impress with their laid back style.
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DD and the Delta Boys
Their repertoire runs the gamet of the blues ranging from exciting and driving to searing and sublime, and a little ethereal and sweet thrown in to! There is something here to satisfy every rhythm and 
blues aficionado and just about anyone who enjoys a happy high energy live gig.
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Pontiax Blues Band
Ass kicking rockin Chicago blues band from Bangor. Dedicated to keeping the blues alive. In the year they've been together they have impressed audiences at the Derry Big Band Festival, Warren Point Blues Festival & Belfast Big River Blues. They do exactly what it says on the tin - with a passion and gusto that can be hard to find!
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Portabello
Portabello are an 8-Piece rhythm & blues, pop, funk, soul and jazz band who put their own touch to some old and new favourites and have influences ranging from Tower of Power, Randy Crawford, Incognito, Average White Band, Blood Sweat & Tears, Steely Dan to Big Band Jazz & Blues and modern day classics. With their dynamic performances, rhythmic fire and big brass sound, audiences will be enthralled. A Top Class "all live" band with something for everyone, Portabello are not to be missed.
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Lee Hedley Band
One of the hardest working bands around, they never fail to entertain with their driving blues rock set & some great harmonica played by the man himself.
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Nasty and the Fantastics
Nasty and the Fantastics are an alternative blues band based in Ramelton, Co. Donegal. Their collaboration of resonant vocals, thrilling guitar work and dynamic rhythms has been pleasing audiences since 2002. Their predominantly blues based sound is interestingly laced with eclectic hints of Cajon, Reggae, and old style Rock n' Roll. This will be their first year playing at the Dunfanaghy Jazz and Blues festival.
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Bluesy Quattro
Playing a laid back acoustic back catalogue of favourites that never fails to deliver..expect the unexpected. Good craic assured!
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Wookalily
Between hammerin' out the harmonies, slammin' on the geetars, slappin' the bass, beatin the drums, pickin' on the banjos (not to mention the banjo player), chopping on the fiddle and striking blows to the flute it's a miracle Wookalily haven't been arrested for cruelty to expensive musical instruments. Despite their reckless ways they've managed to create a unique and quirky sound that's all heart. Their style, sometimes referred to among the lilys as chillbilly roots, has an old-timey feel with a young-timey appeal.
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Daylight Wobblies
We have acoustic country blues with a rhythmic twist. Pat Muldowney one of the best guitar players around is 
supported by the talented Donald Craig on vocals and acoustic guitar and the lovely George Kelly on Bass. Good Craic for all.
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Johnny Gallagher & The Boxtie Band
Widely Acknowledged as one of the finest guitar players in Ireland & the UK, Johnny Gallagher is first and foremost an explosive live entertainer. He has scorched his way through Festivals, Clubs & Venues all over Europe and is held in awe by musicians and fans alike in his native Ireland.
His live shows with the powerful Boxtie Band feature a trawl through his own original material interspered with stunning personal versions of songs from the likes of Pink Floyd, The Band, Lynrd Skynrd, Hendrix, Peter Green and Jimmie Rogers among others.
Though privately quiet and unassuming, Johnny oozes charisma and excitement on stage with that indefinable and much sought after "larger than life" presence. He can change from full on aggressive rock to quieter moments of more tender, introsprective music, and in the course of a set he shows his wizardry on both electric and acoustic guitars.
To top it all, Johnny possesses a truly unique and expressive voice which show cases his songs with the dynamics to swoop from a scream to a whisper. His music has been described in London's Time Out Magazine as a "magical fusion of country, jazz, blues, a little roadhouse rock and some loud rock n'roll".
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Red House Blues Band
The band play a set of songs by classic blues artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy etc with there own modern twist and have also been known to throw in a couple of rock numbers now and again.
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Mirenda Rosenberg Band
Some singers own the stage but Mirenda Rosenberg is famous for owning the stage, the dance floor and sometimes the audience's personal space when she performs! A Mirenda Rosenberg show is always one to remember and Mirenda is accompanied on this occasion by her full 7 piece band.
Mirenda's current album 'Placeholder' is a rich gumbo of musical flavours and tones and is receiving steady airplay on local and national radio. The charismatic singer has showcased her vocal talents and performance skills throughout Ireland and even opened for the legendary Chuck Berry on two separate occasions.
Born in Springfield, Illinois, Mirenda grew up outside Washington DC. Raised the daughter of an ordained minister, Mirenda's musical influences were initially restricted to Christian and classical music. The discovery of jazz and blues on her older brother's radio opened up a whole new musical soundscape and introduced her to the likes of Billie Holliday and Bessie Smith - formative influences who remained constant companions on her musical journey.
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Linley Hamilton Quartet
» www.linleyhamilton.com
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Owen Campbell Band
Owen is currently on his european tour and hailed as one of Australia's most talented slide guitar players and songwriters. Owen sings it sweet and plays it dirty. Irish News 2009 "Owen is something different. The music issuing forth was Australian Blues: Raunchy and interesting"
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Paul Casey
Irish songwriter, guitarist and singer Paul Casey is being talked of among Irish music followers as 'the new cool'. His song writing, guitar playing and distinctive voice are set to cause quite a stir both sides of the Atlantic.With his forthcoming album 'Scrapbook' Paul Casey is set to raise the bar again with a collection of stunning new tracks showcasing truly masterful production and song writing.
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