The Bayou Brothers!

British Soul-Blues Pair Fly Into San Diego To Work With The Bayou Brothers

Special Guest for

Gator By The Bay

Mama Tokus

SOUL-BLUES performer Mama Tokus and her soul-brother Andy “Big Buzzard” Williamson fly into San Diego, CA, to perform at the city’s famed Gator By The Bay festival on May 11 and 12.

The pair are making their West Coast debut and will be joining city zydeco outfit The Bayou Brothers at the festival and at a run of gigs either side of the event.

Mama met the Bayou Brothers when they were touring the UK last summer. A chance handover of Mama’s album On The Ragtime (featuring her own blues, soul and funk tunes) resulted in the Bayou Brothers inviting her and her soulful saxophone sideman Andy over to play at the Gator By The Bay Festival.

Mama told Union Jack: “I adore American music like soul, funk, jazz, blues and rhythm’n’blues and that’s what I play in England, so to bring my British version back over the Atlantic feels a little bit daunting, but let’s see how you guys like it!

“I was born in the US but I left as a baby and was brought up in England, so I feel like I’ve got one foot either side of The Pond. It’s time I made more of an acquaintance with my American side, so this is the perfect opportunity to do just that.”

Andy Williamson is also a Brit with US links. His mother was born and raised in California and his superb saxophone sound incorporates the American artforms of rhythm’n’blues, blues, jazz and soul. Andy plays sax, sings and leads the 11 piece Big Buzzard Boogie Band, which has played all over the UK including at Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. He’s also a classical singer and has fused these interests many times doing Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert for Choir and Jazz Orchestra, including live on the National UK BBC station Radio 4. In 2012 he was commissioned to write the Little Big Easy Jazz Mass for choir and New Orleans-style brass band.

Mama Tokus Tour Schedule:

May 3 – 4:30-6pm Gillespie Field Café in Santee
May 3 – 7-10pm Summit University Fellowship Church in Santee
May 5 – 7:30-11:30am San Diego Zoo Marathon at Wild Animal Safari Park in Escondido
May 8 – 7-11pm Tio Leo’s on Napa Street in San Diego
May 9 – 3-4pm Scripps Mira Mesa Branch Library in Scripps Ranch
May 10 – 6-8pm El Cajon Concert on the Promenade in El Cajon
May 11 – 3-4:30pm Gator by the Bay Zydeco Festival – Jazz 88 Stage in San Diego, Ca
May 12 – 1-2:20pm Gator by the Bay Zydeco Festival – Bourbon Street Stage in San Diego, Ca
May 15 - Patricks Gaslamp Pub 9pm - 1am
May 16 to schedule @ Mike’s BBQ in Escondido 5-8pm
May 18 – 1-3pm Springfest in Allied Gardens, Ca
May 18 – 7:30-11pm Iva Lee’s in San Clemente, Ca