Music

Michael Messer and Chaz Jankel

About this event

"Michael Messer & Chaz Jankel have created an exhilarating album that bears comparison with the finest work in either of their garlanded careers."

Virtuoso slide guitarist & songwriter Michael Messer (favourite of Johnny Cash) and multi-instrumentalist songwriter Chaz Jankel (Ian Dury & The Blockheads) released their debut album, Mostly We Drive – a finely crafted, lyrically inventive collaboration on January 19, 2024.

The album reached #2 in the IBBA (independent blues broadcasters) chart and has received airplay from around the world.

These two superb songwriters wear decades of combined musical experience lightly, as the 11 original songs here display a freshness of approach and add new twists to their foundational influences in Blues, World, Funk, New Wave and Rock.

Michael Messer’s reputation as an innovator in the blues genre and master of slide guitar is well known. In 40 years and 10 albums, Messer has been unafraid to incorporate Reggae, African stylings, Hindustani classical music and even turntablism into his individual vision of the Blues. Messer’s album King Guitar topped the US Living Blues chart, while his latest – Call Of The Blue’ – achieved airplay in over 50 countries.

In 1973, Chaz Jankel opened his account, placing a track on a Long John Baldry album. Later in the ‘70s he joined Kilburn & The High Roads and started writing with Ian Dury. Jankel’s partnership with Ian continued through The Blockhead years and beyond, writing stone-cold classics such as Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick and Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll’. In the 1980s, as well as having success on the US dance scene, Chaz wrote Ai No Corrida, a hit for Quincy Jones. He has also has composer credits for soundtracks, and continues to release solo albums, and tour with The Blockheads.

Chaz and Michael have known each other since those early Blockhead days, but had never managed to get together in a studio or on a stage – until now. 

Both they and their fans are delighted!

  • Date
    Fri, May 16, 2025
  • Start time 8:00 PM
  • Price £20.00
  • Duration 120 Minutes
  • Event format Allocated Seating Rows
BOOK NOW

Ropetackle Arts Centre

Become a Friend or Patron

Make a difference

Become a Friend or Patron

£25
A big difference