Sam Kelly’s Station House to play New Milton’s Forest Arts

LEGENDARY drummer Sam Kelly will be joined by his funky blues fusion outfit at New Milton’s Forest Arts.

Hailed for his unique sound with a fusion of British soul, internationally renowned drummer Kelly has been a professional musician for more than 40 years.

His playing career started in the early 1970s with Cymande, an eight-piece ‘rare groove’ band that achieved recognition with a series of high-profile tours in the US between 1971 and 1974. Cymande reunited in 2014 and continue to perform around the world.

Kelly stamps his self-taught style of drumming on all genres of music, from blues to rock, R&B, funk, soul, jazz and reggae. With a delicate sensitivity to rhythm and a great understanding of dynamics in music, he has been honoured in blues in Britain’s Gallery of Greats after winning UK Drummer of the Year for five years running.

He has held the drum-seat for many notable musicians including Dr John, Chaka Khan, Eddie Floyd, Percy Sledge, Ben E King, Robert Plant, Roger Chapman, Gordon Haskell, Billy Ocean and the late, great Gary Moore.

Kelly’s Station House, originated from London’s “Station Tavern” in the early 1990s, and over the years the band has seen a wealth of quality musicians come and go, all with one common goal in mind to mix instinctive funk/soul rhythms with the diversity of the blues.

In 2020 Kelly re-launched the band as a four piece featuring himself on drums, Richard Sadler on bass, Tony Qunta on guitar/vocals and Rowena Poole as the lead vocalist.

Sam Kelly’s Station House will be at New Milton’s Forest Arts on Friday 14th March at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15 in advance or £17 on the door. For more information and bookings visit www.forest-arts.co.uk or phone 01425 619983