Tonight's January Blues Festival offering at London's 229 Great Portland Street, showcased the combined talents of three accomplished artists, namely Curtis Salgado, Giles Robson and Robbin Kapsalis, that turned out to be a total treat for old school traditional Chicago Mississippi Delta Blues fans and harmonica aficionados.

Chicago South side born Robbin Kapsalis (aka Robbin Robson), resplendent in a white cocktail dress, opened with a set that impressed. Robbin shimmered, shone on stage and sang with pure raw Blues emotion. The USA Blues scene had indeed transported to London, as her set included 'Love Hangover', 'Lead Me On', 'Good Eve' and the fun 'Shake Your Hips'. Her guitarist Malcolm Barclay headed up a fine band, with Jamie Lawrence on bass and Rob Pokorny on drums. For fans like me, to hear Blues diva Kapsalis roar like the old school Chicago Dames, was a delight.

Indeed, tonight's audience included the great and the good who support our vibrant Blues scene, namely The Juke Joint's Robert Barclay, former editor of Blues in Britain Fran Leslie, Scott Duncan founder of Blueprint magazine, two of the London Blues scenes respected harp players John Habes and Tom Brundage, as well as Geoff Garbow and Ian McHugh, all acolytes, disciples and drivers of the Ealing Blues Festivals. Despite being away on tour in Europe, Blues musician, singer-songwriter and guitarist, Todd Sharpville's wonderful wife Cyrilla White and his mother Augusta Victoria Correa y Larrain, were also there to appreciate this special evening.

Soulful harmonica playing vocalist Giles Robson was next on stage with his outstanding band, comprising long time companion and guitarist Emanuele (Manny) Fizzotti, the superb Oli Mississippi MacDonald, the smooth Costa Tangrice on bass, the understated drumming of Fabrice Bessouat and the great Malcolm Guest on keys. Robson then made way for legendary US harmonica and Soul Blues singer Curtis Salgado to perform a stylish Blues set with his band.

This was Curtis‘s first London gig in thirty years since performing with Robert Cray as well as Otis Grand, and tonight I lapped up Salgado’s original material and his significant sound. Perfectly in tune with Giles' band, I loved 'Better Things To Lie About', '20 Years of BB King', 'Feeling Good', the uplifting 'The Longer I Live' and 'Part Time Love'. Indeed, both Salgado’s Blues Soul edged harmonica and vocals touched my soul! This was a unique, wonderful night and let's hope that Curtis does not leave it as long again to return to the UK in order that others can witness his superb style of the Blues.

Videos, Photos and Review: Denise Lester