"The Little Red Blues Band" was formed in the Autumn of 1983 in response to what we saw as a need for a good, professional band dedicated to the Labour Movement.

To those aims, Chris Dunn, a highly experienced and classically trained professional musician consulted with a working drummer and friend, Mel Evans, to outline the idea and look for other musicians to help them in their aims.

Chris and Mel found a solid bass player and played their first concert in 1983 for the Labour Party as a three piece, performing a number of traditional blues and some R&B songs. This formula proved both successful and enjoyable and the band dubbed itself "The Little Red Blues Band".

Unfortunately, the band soon lost its bass player, and Chris and Mel [both Labour Party members] once again sought other musicians. This proved a blessing in disguise as they found two fine and proficient musicians with strong Labour sympathies in the young Peter Victor, a bass player who served his apprenticeship with local young bands, and Dave Owen [no relation !!], a well respected and veteran local guitarist. The addition of Dave on guitar gave the band more scope to spread its musical horizons and involve itself with more adventurous arrangements of the traditional blues songs, which Chris argues are a strong celebration of working-class expression, and original material written by Chris and fellow Labour Party member and close friend Howard Roberts.

The band has since gone from strength to strength, gaining a fine reputation as a good, tight band, and enjoying a strong professional and social relationship.

Although the band is professional and performs outside the Labour Movement, it has agreed to re-donate fees when performing for organisations within the Movement.

If your organisation would benefit from the services of the band, contact :-

The Little Red Blues Band 61 Belmont Park Road Leyton London E10 6AX Tel: 01 539 4637

Fraternally Dave, Mel, Peter and Chris [MU & Arts for Labour]