Meet the band members of three-piece blues band, The Big Blue

Stuart Bligh - Guitar & Vocals

Born: 25 April, 1968 (Taurus)

Hobbies: Arsenal FC, guitar magazines, drinking beer, eating, over-indulging on curry and french bread, blues history

Music: Huge fan of Jimi, SRV, Clapton, Elvis.

Grew up listening to Heavy Rock. Started listening to blues after discovering Buddy Guy at the age of 12. Previously in funk/rock band, "World's Apart". Backed page three model, Sam Kirly, in her band for six months.

Fave Guitarists: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Albert King
Fave Bands: Led Zep, Cream.

Formed The Big Blue in 1993 and played our first gig at The Greenwich Inn, London. At that time we had Andy Gill on bass and Dave Pearce on drums. We played together for 8 years before Andy hung up his bass, at which time Andy Williams, who had been our standby bass player up to that point, joined the band pretty much full time.

A few years later, Dave decided, after many years with The Big Blue, to broaden his horizons and following a period of time with stand-in drummers, we are now delighted to have Ben Matthews in charge of the sticks on a pretty regular basis. Dave Pearce still fills the drumstool for the occasional gig if Ben's otherwise engaged.

Ben Matthews - Drums

Born: June 1982

Hobbies: Arsenal FC, travel & cooking

Music: Jazz/funk, blues.

After achieving my music degree I now teach full time in schools all over Sussex as well as playing in the band "Two Spot Gobi".

I've been playing with The Big Blue for nearly three years.

Currently living in Brighton.

Fave Drummers: Vinnie Callouta, Buddy Rich, Billy Cobham

Picture credit: Andrew Pearce

	Andy Williams - Bass Guitar Born: February 1965 in London Hobbies: Badminton, cycling, swimming, cinema & travel Music: blues, ska, reggae. Although I have spent most of my life in Bexley, Kent, I am a freelance musician & youthworker who has travelled a great deal. Before playing music professionally, I worked a variety of jobs including consulting engineering & prefabricated building sales. Even then, though, I was performing with amateur bands in my spare time. As well as performing, I work in other areas of the music industry including studio management, equipment retailing & teaching. I play with a number of bands in venues ranging from public houses to theatres in the UK & abroad. I became involved in working with young people via a keyboard playing friend. My first experience was employment on a children's summer playscheme followed by youth centre based work. I have since been employed at summer camps in the USA & with the British Forces Youth Service Germany. I tend to specialize in music based activities with young people. Fave Bassist: Norman Watt-Roy, James Jameson
Picture credit: Andrew Pearce

Backstage Pass: meet the band

Stuart Bligh - Guitar & Vocals

Ben Matthews - Drums

Andy Williams - Bass Guitar