BLUES and Roots returns to the Black Bull in Haworth on Sunday February 21 with Bessie’s Blues and Rum Doodle.

Sunday features the eagerly-awaited return of Bessie's Blues, who played their first public gig at the event almost a year ago.

Three well-established and highly-respected musicians have come together to perform the songs of the female pioneers of the blues such as Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie and Ida Cox.

The trio features award-winning vocalist Shelia McMahon, from The Bonnie Mac Band; virtuoso guitarist Gerry Cooper, known for both solo performances and dual performances with Phil Snell; and respected bassist Pete Taylor.

Also appearing at the Sunday concert are Rum Doodle, an act that organiser Ben Blue Waters has been trying to book since he started the blues and roots nights.

Ben said: “Rum Doodle are a folk roots acoustic duo from Leeds.

“Martin and BB Tim play mostly their own original songs with influences as broad as Christy Moore and The Dubliners to Bob Dylan and Neil Young.

“A lot of the material draws its inspiration from these islands we live in, be it about our wonderful heritage and different languages, to growing up beside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

“Most important is the ‘craic’. They will be performing songs from their excellent recent album The Burren.”

The evening, at the Black Bull at the top of Main Street, will begin with a short set of slide guitar blues from host Ben.