Previously Appearing at Wickham was...

Wizz Jones

Wizz began his musical career at the age of 18 leading a Country and Skiffle band called “The Wranglers” in his home town of Croydon, Surrey in 1957. He had been inspired to take up the acoustic guitar a year or so before this after hearing such guitar luminaries as Big Bill Broonzy, Rambling Jack Elliot and Muddy Waters playing at a club in London organized by Cyril Davies and Alexis Korner (The Roundhouse in Wardour Street). Having learned most of his blues licks from Long John Baldry and Davy Graham whilst playing in the coffee bars of Soho, Wizz followed the time honoured trail – busking throughout Europe with many different musicians including at one time a budding young blues-man named Rod Stewart.

On returning to Britain in the early sixties, Wizz formed a blue-grass duo with banjo-picker Pete Stanley, a partnership which was to last for four years during which time Wizz and Pete recorded a single and LP Album for EMI. (Now available on CD with previously un-released bonus tracks on the Rollercoaster label).

Wizz and Pete went their separate ways at the end of 1967 and Wizz returned to solo work collaborating with songwriter Alan Tunbridge (an artist friend from the Soho days) and occasionally with guitarist Peter Berryman. He enjoyed considerable success throughout the 70’s In Europe and Scandinavia both as a touring soloist and together with his wife Sandy in the group “Lazy Farmer” (the group’s album due to be released on CD autumn 2005).

With his unique guitar style, an eclectic repertoire and “a right hand worthy of Broonzy” Wizz continues to tour on the acoustic folk and blues circuit.


Wizz Jones appeared in