Brush with The Blues at The Uckfield Civic Centre
Schedule
Fri, 22 May, 2026 at 06:45 pm
UTC+01:00Location
The Civic Centre Uckfield | Uckfield, EN
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The evening sees the first appearance in Uckfield of the incredible TOM WATERS BAND featuring GEOFF ACHISON making his first UK performance ( and a return to Uckfield ) since pre-covid. We also have a special guest for this evening, a young lady by the name of ALICE ARMSTRONG, yes, the one and only Alice Armstrong !!TOM WATERS, the young rising star in the world of rhythm & blues, jazz, funk, blues, Latin and roots music is joining forces with Aussie guitar legend, GEOFF ACHISON, for an exhilarating, one-of-a-kind musical experience. After their highly acclaimed 14-show “Brush with the Blues” tour of Australia in 2025, Tom, the prodigiously talented sax-playing son of renowned UK pianist Ben Waters, and Geoff are taking their show on a tour of the UK.
Waters is a graduate of the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London. He has already recorded or played with legends like The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, George Thorogood, Ray Davies and the
BB King All Stars. His list of collaborators reads like a who's who of rock ’n' roll royalty, and he’s also a regular with Jools Holland’s R&B Orchestra. Tom is a force to be reckoned with on the sax. This tour comes in the wake of the release of his debut songwriting album BLOWIN’ UP, featuring contributions from Jools Holland, Chanel Haynes, the Cinelli Brothers & Ariel Posen. With a growing catalogue of recordings behind him already, Tom proves beyond doubt that the sax can Rock ‘n Roll!
On the other hand, Achison is an iconic figure in blues and roots music in Australia. Starting out under the tutelage of Australian blues legend Dutch Tilders, Geoff has carved out his own path, blending blues, soul, funk, and folk into a signature sound that has captivated audiences worldwide. With a career spanning decades and 14 albums under his belt, Geoff has been compared to greats like Eric Clapton, JJ Cale, and The Allman Brothers Band.
Together, their 'Brush With The Blues' promises an unforgettable showcase from their extensive catalogues, alongside timeless roots classics, in a show dedicated to the late Jeff Beck.
It’s not every day that you witness a collaboration between such unique and celebrated musicians, each bringing their own distinct style to the stage to create a fusion of tradition and innovation transcending generational boundaries.
Alice Armstrong is an independent, multi-award-winning singer-songwriter and entertainer from the UK, reshaping nostalgic rhythm & blues grooves through a contemporary lens. Armstrong delivers heart-breaking ballads and toe-tapping ear-worms with a breathtaking vocal talent, sharp wit and electric stage presence, all backed by a world-class band.
In 2025 so far, Armstrong’s second studio EP, Fury & Euphoria, gained over 100K streams in it’s first month, she has performed live on BBC Radio 2 at Maida Vale Studios and was interviewed on air by Cerys Matthews for the second time. She and her band secured first place at the European Blues Challenge after competing against acts from 22 other countries, and was voted Contemporary Artist of the Year at the UK Blues Awards for the second year running. She also features on Joe Bonamassa’s Spotify playlists and has played to sold out venues in over 22 countries.
PRAISE FOR GEOFF ACHISON:
“Geoff is one of the finest blues guitarists I know with a completely individual style” Jorma Kaukonen, Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna
“What makes him unique is not only his instrumental skills but also his multifaceted approach.” Alison Richter ~Guitar World
“Achison seems more like a singer / songwriter’s soul in Jeff Beck’s body” Elmore Magazine
PRAISE FOR TOM WATERS:
“Tom’s the Tops” Jools Holland
“A fantastic musician” Sir Ray Davies
"You're pure evil on that horn' Sir Brian May
PRAISE FOR ALICE ARMSTRONG
"Really loving that vocal" Craig Charles, BBC6 Radio
"A thing of wonder" Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 2
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Where is it happening?
The Civic Centre Uckfield, Pod Point, Bell Farm Road, Uckfield, TN22 1, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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