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Unfortunatly due to contractual problems we are unable present The Amazing Mr Smith on feb 26th as previously advertised, we will hopefully reschedule for later this year. In the mean time you can see Mr Smith at The Thorngate Halls, Gosport on March 11th. (with Jezz Lowe) Instead of Mr Smith we have a real treat with:- The Jezz Hall Band - a Nottingham based acoutic / folk trio. Nottingham based singer/songwriter Jezz Hall is one of the most highly respected solo performers operating in the UK and has earned the admiration of folk stalwarts such as Dick Gaughan , Pete Morton and Phil Beer. ? ?one of the brightest talents to emerge in the field of traditional music? (Pete Morton) On Monday 26th February he is bringing the recently formed Jezz Hall Band to The Railway Folk Club at The Alma Arms, Highland Road, Eastney, to carry the audience through an array of folk and roots traditions.. Jezz fronts the band, Andy Hill is on bass, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, whilst Nick Acons, formerly with the late lamented Seven Little Sisters (who played a storming set at The Heineken Festival on Southsea Common a few years back) is on violin and mandolin. Apart from supplying guitar and vocals, Jezz is equally adept on playing bass, piano, mandolin, banjo and harmonica! Jezz?s musical heroes are eclectic,but although somewhat disconcertingly he rates Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath as his guitar hero, his early influences were Bob Dylan and ?60s psychedelia. "Through that I got into the Incredible String Band, who were very important to me? says Jezz ?They got me into Nick Drake and Pentangle and from there Martin Carthy and traditional folk music. I guess I tend to be drawn to American old timey music too- Doc Watson is Jimi Hendrix to me!? "I lived in Oxford, Mississippi, a while back -where the civil rights marches and James Meredith riots inspired Bob Dylan to write ?Oxford Town? . The music there is fantastic and the level of talent incredible. I met so many musicians and got into so much different music there," he says. "..like John Hartford who was featured on the documentary ?Down From The Mountain?, about the music behind the film ?Oh Brother Where Art Thou?" and all these other old-timey musicians. Inspiring stuff! Also I learnt to finger pick by trying to play Mississippi John Hurt songs! The artistes Jezz Hall has appeared with include Robin Williamson, Edward II, Jackie Leven, Pete Morton, Damien Barber and Maggie Boyle. Jezz has toured with the Phil Beer Band, and has also joined Show of Hands on stage. He?s also performed duo performances with Deb Sandland, who appears on Jezz?s latest CD. ?When I play live I tend to change my set, as it keeps me interested. A good gig is something that develops in the moment - it can go astray from you - or it can build until something magical happens. Playing as a solo performer got me used to the idea of allowing a gig to unfold, as I control all the elements as far as giving it out is concerned, but the audience also play a big part. I always like to try and play something new and fresh. as you can?t beat the energy and feel you get from performing a song that is still taking shape - that?s still exciting for me!? The Jezz Hall Band appear at The Railway Folk Club, at The Alma Arms, Highland Rd., Eastney, Portsmouth on Monday 26th February. Doors open 8 p.m - admission £5.