JACK LONDON & FRIENDS

                    Highly energetic all purpose troubadour & singer-songwriter who was a big hit at this year's festival.

Kev started performing in the 1970s around the folk clubs of North-West England, later becoming involved in numerous musical / theatrical projects in Nottingham and London. As well as being a writer and performer, he also produced several well-reviewed shows on the London Fringe and Edinburgh Festival, then spent the 80s focussing on a scriptwriting career before returning to live music performance in the 90s, primarily in West London where he was based. With a developing reputation as an original and literate songwriter, he had notable collaborations with guitarist Chris Matthews and legendary singer Eugene Wallace before moving to the East Midlands in 2001. Shortly thereafter he formed Kontra Band, with whom he further enhanced his reputation as a performer and songwriter of quality. The band made two well-received albums before finally disbanding in 2008.

Now equally well-known as a promoter (Kontra Roots Promotions), in 2014 Kev revived his solo career and now plays an original repertoire of acoustic blues, folk and roots music. He is also a highly regarded harmonica player and often guests with a wide range of musicians and bands, blues and otherwise, most notably with original Rolling Stones and Pretty Things guitarist, Dick Taylor. Most recently, in 2021, he became a founder member of new Northants based five piece acoustic roots band, The Rants.

As an engaging, passionate and powerful performer with over 40 years of experience, Kev has been fortunate enough to support or share the stage with some wonderful musicians along the way, from legends such as Bert Jansch, Paul Lamb & The King Snakes, The Pretty Things, The Zombies and Wishbone Ash, to a whole host of other superb acts, including Jez Lowe, Gary Fletcher, Robin Bibi and many more.

BIOGRAPHY

Kev Buxton was born in Blackpool and now lives in Northamptonshire, where he is a well-known and respected acoustic roots musician and promoter.

with Eugene Wallace

with The Dick Taylor Band