Press
PR TEXT COPY:
Vibrant, contemporary, original, melodic, funky rocking blues featuring Hammond-organ, drums, guitar and vocals.
ZOE SCHWARZ BLUE COMMOTION refresh the blues genre with eclectic arrangements, virtuosic playing and vocal prowess. With an exciting live set based around rootsy original songs, strong catchy riffs and exciting grooves; they mix old school tradition with contemporary flare and sophistication.
Zoe’s dynamic and commanding vocal delivery, her majestic vocal sweep and interpretive ability, is complimented by the unmistakable and inimitable touch and flow of Rob Koral-guitar; and the highly accomplished rhythm section of Pete Whittaker-Hammond organ and Paul Robinson-drums (Nina Simone, Van Morrison, The Proclaimers, Wonder Stuff, Paul McCartney to name a few) who bring massive musical authority and the ability to push the music in unpredictable and exciting directions.
Zoë Schwarz Blue Commotion have made a considerable impact this last decade, and is one of the band’s that have added a fresh approach and vibrancy to the UK Blues scene, receiving awards and nominations, including finalists in the UK Blues Awards with Female Vocalist, Band, and Album of the Year, several times.
“A great band. Terrific musicians all four of them” - Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2
“Eye-catching vocals meet sumptuous guitar" - Guitarist Magazine
“Innovative spark, virtuoso playing and a dare-devil attitude” - Pete Feenstra - Get Ready To Rock, Feb 2017
LIVE QUOTES:
“This is a band of exceptional quality, fronted by the stellar vocals of Zoe Schwarz; you really shouldn't miss the opportunity to enjoy them” - Live Review, Brian Harrington, Arlington Arts, Newbury Times, Apr 2021
"Powerful singing and a stylish performer, great guitar work, phenomenal Hammond …. a great set” - LIVE at Carlisle Blues & Rock Festival, Blues Matters Dec 2019/Jan 2020
“Unique vocals, accomplished guitar, a classic performance, and a fresh approach to “the blues” – Rosie Greer, Live Review, Old Bush Blues festival, Blues in Britain Sept 2019
“Phenomenal singer, compelling arrangements, complex guitar work and stunning musicianship from the band . Blue Commotion offers a striking contemporary slant to the blues.” - Lighthouse Poole, LIVE Review, Bournemouth Echo June 2019
“A different level of class ... Zoe's vocal: powerful yet vulnerable ... Rob, Pete and Paul turned out a masterclass in Schofield-esque sophistication” - Live Review, 100 club London, Blues in Britain Magazine Apr 2019
ONLINE:
https://twitter.com/ZoeSchwarzBC
https://www.reverbnation.com/zoeschwarzbluecommotion
https://www.facebook.com/zoeschwarzbluecommotion/
https://www.youtube.com/user/schwarzzoet/
Spotify/Zoe schwarz blue commotion
VIDEO LINKS:
https://youtu.be/TKzCNxxdbJ8 - Live Compilation
https://youtu.be/p35x3tcH2vc - Album Promo
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Zoë Schwarz has been a big name on the blues scene for a few years now, with her live performances particularly lauded by fans and the press. "everything a blues lover could wish for. Zoe’s vocals are always striking, but the real revelation is the breathtaking playing by the band. Every song has clear demonstrations of skills so subtle and yet so damned effective" - Blues Doodles, March 2017 (UK Blues Federation)
“Their originality and adventurous spirit gives them every right to be regarded as being in the vanguard of contemporary blues.” – Pete Feenstra – Get Ready To Rock Magazine, – Jan 2018
“A serious band with unique songs, tight instrumentation, and a powerful woman up front... edgy vocals, and scorching guitar solos.” - Blues Blast Magazine, USA 2017.
"Incendiary vocal, guitar and organ work" - Ed Mitchell, The Blues Magazine, 2016
“It is impossible to compare Zoe’s voice with anyone else on the blues and jazz scene, past and present, because it is quite simply unique in terms of range, pitch and timing.” - The Bishop (David J. Scott) – for Blues Matters and Blues Revue ezine Blueswax May 2012
BRIEF BAND BIOG:
The first Blue Commotion gig in February 2012 was a culmination of a ten-year musical partnership between Zoë Schwarz and guitarist Rob Koral. Through their intense musical journey and compatible desire, they developed a perfect collaboration and empathy, which, when analysed, comes from two completely different starting points. Because of this melting pot of musical diversity, there is a depth and uniqueness to the band's music, which is hard to pigeonhole and categorise.
Into the mix comes the sheer virtuosity of each of the band members who are allowed the freedom to express their musical authority, and stamp their own personal magic to the song writing of Zoë and Rob. A testament to this chemistry is the sheer volume of music coming out of the band, and CHAMELEON was the band’s seventh album in eight years as at April 2020.
Zoë 's unique, yearning vocal style is blended with Rob's ability to come up with catchy vibrant riffs and musical arrangements, which stretch the term 'blues' and keep it moving forward so as to be relevant for our current times. There is no ridged musical template for Blue Commotion, the only stipulation is that it feels good, tastes good and sounds good. The band pride themselves on filling their 'live' and album sets with original music.
During this six-year period the band has covered an enormous amount of ground and received over-whelming critical acclaim, with a growing and steady stream of festivals and club dates through 2018 and beyond.
https://twitter.com/bluecommotion
https://www.facebook.com/zoeschwarzbluecommotion/
https://www.youtube.com/user/schwarzzoet/
VIDEOS:
Past Dates Include:
Ronnie Scott's, London
The 606 London,
The Guildhall, Lichfield,
Pizza Express Dean Street, Soho
Newark Blues Festival
Broadstairs Blues Bash
Bowness Bay Festival
Talking Heads Southampton
Rye Jazz and Blues festival
Upton Blues Festival
The Exchange Theatre, Sturminster Newton
Uckfield Blues Festival
Hebden Blues Festival
The Concorde Club, Eastleigh
100 Club, Oxford st., London
The Tunnels, Bristol
Tenby Blues festival
Blues On The Farm, Chichester
Scarborough Blues Festival
The Lighthouse, Poole
The Great British Rock and Blues Festival, Skegness
Keighley Blues Club,
Teignmouth music festival
North Devon Arts festival, Barnstaple
Swanage Blues festival,
The Regent Centre Theatre, Christchurch,
The Eel Pie blues club, Twickenham
The Maltings, Farnham, Surrey
Stompin On the Quomps festival, Christchurch
Bridport Arts centre,
Isle of Wight blues festival
Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne
Spice of Life, London
Dorchester Arts Centre, Dorset
The Borough Blues Club, Pontypool
The Beaverwood, Chislehurst
Pizza Express Dean Street, London
Marlborough Jazz and Blues Festival
Big Wheel Blues Festival, Isle Of Mann
Ealing Blues Festival, London
Half Moon Putney, London
Czech Republic Tour
Broadstairs Blues Bash, Kent
The Stables, Wavendon
Electric Palace, Harwich
Frome Blues Festival, Somerset
St. Ives Blues Festival, Cornwal
Saltburn Blues Club
Roots Around The World, Chichester
Boom Boom Club, Sutton
Poole Blues Festival
Stompin' On The Quomps festival, Christchurch
The New Crawdaddy Club, Billericay