Jack The Biscuit

An eclectic mix of South Wales' best blues musicians


Jane WIlliams - Lead Vocalist

 

 

Date of birth - 24 July 19??

 

Birth Place - Cardigan west Wales .Moved to Brecon aged 6 now live in Cardiff.

 

How did it all begin for Jane?

 

Singing to the ‘ Archers ‘ at 18 months.Grew up listening to Jazz and Blues  - Dad 's influence and Dylan, Fleetwood Mac and Neil Young, courtesy of my Mum.

 

Joined first band at 14.

 

Took the part of Eliza Doolittle at the tender age of 15 and various other theatre productions in the lead role which resulted in Joining the National Youth Theatre of Wales for 3 years singing and performing all over Wales.

 

Recorded vocals for Welsh TV adventure series ‘ Cwestiynau‘ shown on S4C.

I had the lead part of Mary Magdalen. Which was a welsh language opera performed live on TV from the National Eisteddfod 1993 at Llanfair Ym Muallt.

 

Joined several Jazz Bands at 19, Lolita and the Lounge Lizards being the main one.

Performed on the main stage at 'Brecon Jazz Festival' 1990. Still singing Jazz now with a Hereford based Jazz band . 

 

International travels include touring Canada & US with Choir for 3 weeks in 1985 and singing and gigging for 2 years around S.Africa,Australia and New Zealand 1993-95.

 

Joined first  Blues band, 'Out To Lunch' from (1990 – 1993) followed 'In the Red'  ( 1996 – 99 ) 'Cool Orange' ( 6 mnths ) and 'Steamhouse' ( 1999 – 2006 ) 

 

Wrote and recorded original material which was performed on the CD ‘Traveller ‘, a collaboration between myself and musician Paul Hindmarsh.One of my songs ‘In Good Time’ was chosen as one of the choices for a welsh version of Desert Island Discs on Radio Cymru. I am now starting a Jazz band  OMEGA TWO with Pete Mathison of Ray Davies (The Kinks.) 

   http://www.omegatwo.co.uk  takes you to the Omega Two website.

 

My dislikes include inconsiderate drivers, rudeness, having to get up early and self indulgent  solos that go on for 15 minutes!

 

My likes are music, films,  smoking ( but gave up 6 years ago ), singing, Salsa dancing,  jujutsu  Facebook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=743885701,  -  and PLAYING WITH JTB!!   Also  check  out http://www.myspace.com/janewilliams2407

Chris Gilligan - Keyboardist / Vocalist

I began piano training at the age of three, and I've been improvising for as long as I can remember. Listening to Clapton, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones started me playing rhythm & blues when I was very young, taking my influence from keyboardists like Billy Preston and Chuck Leavell. My classical training continued until I was 18. As an obsessed teenager I used every spare moment playing for jazz and swing music acts, and playing motown, soul, rock and Rolling Stones music with my first bands, Roadhouse & Elysium. I also started playing at jam nights with session musicians (who quickly became my idols) around Bristol & Weston, playing rock songs and blues classics. Those guys made me realise that all I wanted to do was become a session musican.

I joined my first regular gigging band, Tin Pan Alley, in 2004, and started hearing a whole new world of music, from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Bill Withers, Dr John to The Meters (the finest funk band ever, with, I think, one of the most excellent groove drummers ever). Playing in various studios, gigs and festivals, I've heard many more session players that have inspired me from around the country. Check out my website: -

www.myspace.com/chrisgilliganmusic      

Jamie Wilkins - Guitarist

Name: Jamie Wilkins

Age: 54 years young

Birth Place - Hails from Caerleon

How did it all begin for Jamie? 

I fell in love with british blues when I was young and I am still chasing it! I play Gibson guitars through a 16 watt soldano. I like beer, fags. shouting and being a bossy bastard!

Oh and NEVER buy this man a water....he comes over all un-neccesary...you have been warned. 

Colin Broadbent - Harmonica / Vocals

DOB -  28/04/50  OK so I'm the oldest in the band?

Born -  Wolverhampton, consider myself a Bristolian though as moved when a month old.Have been resident in Cardiff for the last 26 years.

Musical Background - Started playing drums in the 60s with a band that never played any gigs!  However didn't take up music until much later in life. Took up harmonica app 8 years ago. Stared to play with a poular covers band called the Rascals (which I'm still playing with)

Influences - For Harmonica, Howlin Howard, Chris Rees. 

Musically has to be Fleetwood Mac (a band of my youth) John Mayal. Present favourites. Kim Wilson, Melvin Taylor. 

Nick Broughton - Bass