Two Manx blues musicians are to kick off their busiest year yet with a night of guitars and harmonica in Ramsey.

Blue John and Papa Cass, who are more familiar as guitarist John Gregory and harmonica player Tim Cass, are to appear in the Mitre, Ramsey, on Saturday, January 27, from 8pm.

This show will see the blues duo unveil a set of new acoustic and electric music, and will give them a chance to put the finishing touches to their set, as they prepare to support two major US blues acts later in the year.

Blues, folk, bluegrass and finger-picking expert ’Duck’ Baker will appear at the Erin Arts Centre for a concert on Saturday, April 21, followed by a guitar workshop on Sunday 22.

Later in the year, the pairing of John Miller and Grant Dermody will be appearing at the Peel Centenary Centre on Friday, July 27.

’2018 is shaping up to be a very musical year indeed,’ said John.

’Myself and Tim aim to kick it off with a mixture of acoustic and electric numbers, with anything from Mississippi John Hurt to Jimmy Reed. ’Duck is a legendary figure in the acoustic guitar world. It’s fantastic he is coming to the Isle of Man.

’Grant Dermody and John Miller are two of my very favourite musicians.

Grant is an incredibly soulful harmonica player and vocalist and John Miller is a great guitar player and singer.

’Through John’s numerous tuition DVDs he has been a massive musical influence on me. It is quite a coup to get them here as this is only one of two shows they are doing together in the whole of the British Isles before they teach harmonica and guitar at Blues Week in the UK.’

Entrance for the Blue John and Papa Cass night at the Mitre function roomis £5.

Tickets for both the Duck Baker and the Dermody and Miller concerts are £15, with concessions available, and can be obtained through John on 204320 or online at www.etickets.im/bjm