The Ragtime Jug Orchestra

 

John Anderson & Alan Draisey

John has been playing music since a 'friend' convinced him that playing in a Jug Band would bring wine, women and wealth. Sadly, he still harbours secret hopes, although wine has never seemed the problem. Fully recovered from taking a career too seriously, he spends an unhealthy amount of time on ebay's guitar pages and playing on his instruments. He is a keen supporter of the European Blues Association and researches African American Music (warning - he could tell you about this at length).

 

Alan spent his formative years playing clarinet in various amateur orchestras before falling for the popular delusion that playing the guitar was better for picking up girls. After a number of years in the barren wasteland of business he returned to music as a means of solace, if not financial support.

He has played a wide variety of musical styles over the years and will turn his hand to anything except Country & Western, which he says leaves a nasty taint on his guitar.

 

Alan and John run the Blue Front Bluesroom acoustic venue in The Forest of Dean

and present The Blue Front Blues show on Forest of Dean Radio

 

"We went down to the crossroads and all we met was George Formby"

 

The RJO recreate the sounds of the early 20th Century on a variety of authentic acoustic instrumentation.

 

John Anderson - vocals, 6 & 12 string and National Trojan guitars, banjo, ukulele, kazoos, jug,

spoons and percussion.

 

Alan Draisey - vocals, 6 & 12 string guitars, Dobro, mandolin, ukulele, bass, harmonica, kazoo, clarinet, washboard and percussion.

The RJO has been playing at festivals, events, parties, folk clubs, pubs and bars around Bristol, Cheltenham, Gloucester,

the South Midlands, South Wales and their home patch of the Forest of Dean since 1999.

 

Recent Blues and Folk Festival appearances include:

The Linton Festival, Swanage Blues Festival, Upton Blues Festival,

Two Rivers Folk Festival, Leicester City Blues Festival, The Big Session, and Gloucester International Rhythm and Blues Festival.

 

The RJO has supported many well-known artists, including; Spencer Bohren, Bob Brozman, Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan,

Guy Davis, Paul Geremia, Steve James, Dave Kelly,

Lazy Lester, Michael Messer, Big Bill Morganfield,

Michael Roach and Philadelphia Gerry Ricks.