A BLUES night is being launched in West Dorset.

Paul Lamb, undisputed master of the blues harmonica, will launch the monthly Blues Night at the Electric Palace in Bridport with his band The King Snakes on Friday, September 4.

He has spent the last thirty-something years whoopin’ and hollerin’ in clubs in his native North-East, plus a later move to London in concert and on festival stages, creating a personal synthesis of his harmonica heroes and his own unique and innate talent.

Paul’s history includes representing Britain in the World Harmonica Championships, working with his particular mentor, Sonny Terry, and with any number of other blues artists who have visited these shores.

Over the years Paul Lamb & the King Snakes have won countless awards, sold record breaking quantities of albums and been inducted into the British Blues Awards Hall of Fame alongside the likes of Peter Green & John Mayall.

There’s a deal of experience behind vocalist and rhythm guitarist Chad Strentz, too.

He started out as a rockabilly hound, encouraged by the wilder excesses of Gene Vincent, Johnny Burnette and Mac Curtis, with some Elvis and Little Richard in there for extra relish.

But if you want to talk experience, take a long listen to bass player and vocalist Rod Demick. He formed his first group, the Vibros, when he was eleven and later graduated to Wheels, the only R&B competition in Belfast for Van Morrison and Them.

The youngest member is Ryan ‘Junior’ Lamb.

Having the legendary harmonica player, Mr Paul Lamb, as his father, you could say he was born to play the blues.

However make no mistake – it’s because of his outstanding guitar talent, rather than nepotism, that landed Junior the job of lead guitarist in the King Snakes in 2007.

Dino Coccia was the King Snakes’ drummer in 1991 and now, he’s returned back to in the drum seat coming full circle.

He is a talented musician who brings to the band a strong foundation that allows for the instrumental and vocal expression that the band attains.

Finally, for ska fans there is a treat to look forward this weekend. On Sunday there is a ska-b-q at The Spice Centre, Dorchester from 12pm to 8pm.

It will feature music from Kipper, Vanilla Radio, JonJon and Friends, Punk Karaoke, Bluetown Rumble, Guns Of Navarone and the Rev Jack Daniels.

The ska-b-q will be the fourth year of raising money for Cancer Care and all those involved are hoping to smash the £10,000 barrier for monies raised.

Last year’s event raised £2884 for Cancer Research UK.

Tickets cost £5 on the door.

TONIGHT (24)

Neo-punk night (Finns, Weymouth)

Lewis Craven (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Skatmandu (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Jimmy M (Weymouth Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Bob Mallett (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Matt Black (Park, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

The Crack (King’s Arms, Weymouth)

Skinful (Royal Exchange, Portland)

Average Wyke Band (Little Ship, Portland)

Compass (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Martin Freed (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

The Black Rats (Ropemakers, Bridport)

SATURDAY (25)

Splinter (Finns, Weymouth)

Brothers Grimm (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Regulation 9 (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Darren H (Weymouth Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Steve Francis (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

The GTI (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Portland Rd, Weymouth)

Johnny King (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Replay (Black Dog, Weymouth)

The Katz (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Frank E Finn (Bridge Inn, Preston, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (The Star, Weymouth)

Average Wyke Band (Ship Inn, Wool)

Mike Walker (Centenary Club, Weymouth)

Speedway Snails (Rendezvous, Weymouth)

The Silhouettes (RBL Club, Portland)

Red Crow (Green Shutters, Portland)

The Unpredictables (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Uncle Jack (Tom Browns, Dorchester)

Chloe and Tom (New Star Inn, Portland)

Blind Dead McJones Band (Ropemakers, Bridport)

SUNDAY (26)

Guns of Navarone, Vanilla Radio, Kipper, Bluetown Rumble (Spice Centre, Dorchester) midday-8pm

Martin Freed (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Rob Ryan (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Remix (Park, Weymouth)

Replay (Red Lion, Hope Sq, Weymouth) 2pm

Ricky Solo (Sailor’s Return, St Nicholas St, Weymouth) From3pm

Jam Night (Sailor’s Return, Nicholas Street, Weymouth)

Mark Stacey and friends host this regular Sunday acoustic jam session. Music from 8pm

Captain Monkey Fingers (Three Compasses, Charminster)

Dave Bowen Quintet (Trooper Inn, Stourton Caundle) 1-3pm

DuKane (Royal Exchange, Portland) 2.30pm

Sunday Session (Sydney Arms, Dorchester)

Six String Steve (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Juke Box Junkies (New Vic, Weymouth)

Plinky Plonky jam session (The Dolphin, Weymouth) from 4pm

MONDAY (27)

Seabass (New Vic, Weymouth)

TUESDAY (28)

Stacey Lou (New Vic, Weymouth)

Martin Freed (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

DuKane (Boot, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY (29)

Danx Open Mic (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Dave P’s Open Mic Night (Rendezvous, Weymouth) From 8pm

Kathy (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Wessex Folk Night (Sailor's Return, Nicholas Street, Weymouth) Acoustic folk, here every Wednesday.

The Leggomen (New Vic, Weymouth)

THURSDAY (30)

Open Mic Night (Park, Weymouth)

Leggomen (George, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Open Mic Surgery (Tom Brown’s, High East St, Dorchester) All backline provided, come on down and have a play

Steve’s Singalong (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund Street, Weymouth) Steve hosts this session, with guests joining in

Lauren Bannon (New Vic, Weymouth)

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, ChiswelI, Portland)

Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return, St Nicholas St, Weymouth) Strum on down from 8pm

FRIDAY (31)

As Flames Rise, Griever, Refuge of the Fallen (Finns, Weymouth)

Tauntones (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

The Mighty Fine (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Bianca (Weymouth Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Total Madness (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

The Duke and The Broad (Park, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Gale Force 4 (Royal Exchange, Portland)

Shelby’s Elbows (Ropemakers, Bridport)