ONE OF the best blues artists in the world will play Keighley Blues Live on Saturday, November 4.

Doug MacLeod is the current holder of the Memphis-based Blues Foundation’s Blues Music Award for Acoustic Artist of the Year.

He is bringing his solo show to Keighley’s Octagon Club as part of an eight-date tour of the UK before travelling to Europe.

Keighley Blues Live played host to a presenter from BBC Radio Lancashire during its gig last month at the Octagon by blues queen Kara Grainger.

Amy-Rose Atkinson recorded an interview with Kara for her Lancashire Bluenotes programme, which can be heard by visiting bbc.co.uk/radiolancashire.

A club spokesman said: “The BMAs, formerly the WC Handy Awards, are recognised as the highest honour given to blues musicians worldwide.

“Doug is now a three-times winner and, in common with so many other visiting acts, Keighley is the furthest north he will travel on the tour.

“If you like your blues solo and acoustic and you live anywhere in the north of England, this show is an absolute must.”

Doug MacLeod, born in 1946, is a storytelling bluesman who was born in New York but is now associated with his Los Angeles home.

He became acquainted with the blues in St Louis in his teens and started his career playing country blues on acoustic guitar, finding that singing eased a chronic stutter and helped him to eventually overcome it.

Although predominantly associated with acoustic guitar, his skills were developed as a blues bass player, and honed by his subsequent journeys into jazz and electric blues.

Doug will be supported by Benjamin William Pike during Saturday’s gig.

Coming up at Keighley Blues Live: Samantha Fish and Felka, November 26; JW Jones Band and Henry Parker, December 8; Billy Walton Band and Benjamin Bassford, January 19; Catfish, February 9; John Verity, February 23; Thorbjørn Risager and the Black Tornado, March 16; Ladies Of The Blues (Lush, Lyytinen & Brox), March 29; Martin Barre and This Winter Machine, April 7.

JW Jones, the award-winning Canadian blues rock guitarist and singer-songwriter, last month released his new album High Temperature on Solid Blues Records via Proper Distribution in the UK and Europe.

The album dovetails an 18-date nationwide UK tour starting at the Worthing Pavilion on Thursday the 23, and he plays the Keighley Octagon on Friday December 8.

One critic said: “His evolution as a musician and vocalist shine through on this record like never before. Real songs, real playing by real people. JW is the real deal.”