Reviews

     Judging by this latest release from her six-piece blues band Blue Commotion, it's clear that Zoe Schwarz's voice just gets more dynamic and characterful with each new album.  The material ranges from brass-driven, swashbuckling anthems (including the title track and...

American blues enthusiasts, and those around the world as well, need to discover a band that's causing quite a commotion in the British blues community - Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion,  Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro

This latest from Zoe, husband Rob Koral on guitars, Si Genaro harp, Pete Whittaker Hammond organ, Pat Davey bass (plus a couple of appearances by Rodney Teague) bass and Paul Robinson drums carries on where Good Times left off.

A Catholic mix, from a straight-up take on ‘Billie’s...

verbals by Clive Rawlings, visuals by Roy Cano

"SO LET'S START A BLUES COMMOTION SHALL WE? WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY WE ARE TOO LATE THERE IS A BAND BY THAT NAME ALREADY FEATURING THE FABULOUS ZOE SCHWARZ ON STUNNING VOCALS AND ON GUITAR, THE ONE AND ONLY ROB KORAL

Ah yes they go out...

My Oh My! What a stunner this one is. Blue Commotion have been lurking waiting to pounce and now it has come. All the band members have as they say 'paid their dues' and none more so than Zoe who has developed as a singer in the most remarkable way. Coming from a jazz background she brings to...

Blues standards and original songs rooted in the blues tradition but with plenty of room for the instrumentalists to stretch out and improvise.

Raw and exciting with Schwarz’s powerful vocals well supported by the work of some of the UK’s top instrumentalists.

Koral is a...

"Festival fever and second album on the way"

"Someone gave me a Billie Holiday tape. My blues started with 32-bar tunes, not 12-bar."

Zoe Schwarz and Blue Commotion are hitting the road this summer for a series of concerts and festival appearances. The Group are also busy...

Blue Commotion returned to the Maltings after their July 2012 gig. The band consist of partners Zoe Schwarz on vocals and Rob Koral on guitar, with Si Genaro on harp and vocals Pete Whittaker on organ, Paul Robinson on drums and Rodney Teague on bass. The band opened with ‘I’m Leaving...

‘Lady sings the blues with passion verve and retro style’.

Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion inhabit the jazzier end of the blues spectrum, where the voice is primary. And Zoe Schwarz fits the bill perfectly in terms of her range, emotion and ability to interpret a song.

The...

Exactly 40 years ago, in 1973, a record was released that featured many British artists - most of whom went on to become legends in several music genres, all while keeping in touch with their blues roots. That recording was called the "History Of British Blues" and Long John Baldry, Eric...

The picturesque South Devon seaside town of Teignmouth has held a purely jazz weekend festival for many years but recently has introduced some blues artists.  Zoe Schwarz  Blue Commotion filled the late Sunday afternoon spot.

The strength of Zoe’s voice was...

On this, the band’s third album, of thirteen numbers, seven are originals, which are supplied by lead singer Zoe and (husband) Rob Koral, guitar; these numbers display the full and explosive range of the band which are; Si Genaro; harmonica, Pete Whittaker; Hammond organ, Rodney Teague; bass...

They had played for Boogaloo as ‘The Baddest Blues Band’ but on this occasion they were ‘The Commotion’, with lead singer Zoe clearly upfront. Quite right, too, as Zoe proved throughout the show to be a vocalist of rare talent and allied to an excellent band of seasoned musicians it...

This consummate band of five highly-talented musicians, energetically complement Zoe’s outstanding, lyrical vocals.

Pete Whittaker excels with some profound extemporising on Hammond, whilst the subtle rhythm section, of Paul Robinson (percussion) and Rodney Teague (bass) create a...