Giles Robson and The Dirty Aces are fast rising stars on the UK and international music scenes. Robson first came to the attention of the UK national press in 2010 when backing blues legend Muddy Waters’ eldest son Mud Morganfield. At a packed show in central London, The Daily Express praised his “Exquisite harmonica” and The Dirty Aces were described as “Virtuosi”. The Express’s Paul Stewart stated that Robson could “Possibly be the best harmonica player on the blues scene today” and praised Filip Kozlowski’s “Cutting guitar” and lauded the band as a “Great blues combo”. “A track called “The Mighty Incinerator” from the band’s 3 track promo CD was played on BBC Radio 2′s Paul Jones show and was immediately spotted by Chris Evans and played on his Breakfast show the next morning with Evans stating “This is so good”. This is the first time in the Paul Jones show history that a track has been heard by a mainstream radio 2 DJ and chosen spontaneously to be played on their show.
The band was formed by Giles Robson and guitarist Filip Kozlowski in 2007 playing together in different bands on the island’s fertile music scene. They were immediately spotted online by Grammy award winning harmonica ace Sugar Blue. “Great harp and guitar, you cats play like you mean it!”. Rave reviews followed. Alan Candy of Luton Today wrote “If you like blues, rock and plenty of originality, look no further than these aces…… Raw and dirty sounds, ace delivery…. Robson happens to sing like a blues hero of mine — the late, great Rory Gallagher. ” Classic Rock magazine predicted the “These boys have aces up their sleeves”. They were chosen by Tom Robinson to have one of their tracks played on the first BBC6 music “Introducing” show.
Some of the world’s greatest harmonica players and prominent magazines have lined up to sing Giles Robson’s praises. BBC Radio 2’s Paul Jones, harmonica player and lead singer of legendary group Manfred Mann twice praised Robson’s “Superb harmonica” on his radio show. The Chicago blues tour called him a “Harp Phenom” when he competed in a harp showdown in the Windy City. Time Out London has frequently mentions his “Scalding harmonica work”.
Filip Kozlowski’s virtuoso guitar has been likened to “The Hoax at their brilliant best” by Blues Matters, the magazine loving his “Choppy, insistent guitar riffs” Fatea magazine has raved about his “Scorching guitar”.
In Giles Robson and Filip Kozlowski’s original material many influences weave through their original and powerful material. Echoes of Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Sonny Boy Williamson, Django Reinhardt, Elvis Presley and Howlin Wolf can be heard. These memorable songs are infused with a tough humour, earthy sentiments and wicked grins. Kozlowski brings to the table and advanced and creative music knowledge that melds with Robson’s melodic ideas and fresh, original lyrics.
“Fil and I have a great musical partnership in terms of creativity and performance on stage. We’ve written and played together for about five years and after all that time we know how to both write together and powerfully project those ideas on the bandstand. Due to Fil’s technical range we can write earthy, powerful songs like The Mighty Incinerator that keeps driving in a bluesy way on just one chord and then switch to moving instrumentals like “Solidor” which have more advanced chord structures and melodic ideas.”
The rhythm section of the band is made up of the crème de la crème of British blues talent… two highly regarded veterans:
Ian Jennings on double bass, who’s CV includes live work and record sessions with Carl Perkins, Jeff Beck, Robert Plant, Champion Jack Dupree, Jools Holland, Andy Fairweather Low, Tom Jones, Van Morrison, Mick Fleetwood, Paul Rogers, Chrissie Hynde, Jimmy Page, Lulu, Ronnie Wood, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler.
And on drums we have Mike Hellier, a British blues drumming supremo. His credits include Sherman Robertson, Wamma Jamma, Lisa Mills, James Hunter and The Waterboys.
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