MUSIC which has its roots in the Deep South of the United States has found a new home in Ryedale.

Since launching in the summer of 2017, Ryedale Blues Club has steadily built up a devoted following among fans of the music with its monthly concerts at the Milton Rooms in Malton.

It is the brainchild of Paul Winn, a Haxby-based musician, who is working to establish the club on the UK Blues scene.

“I was approached around two years ago by the Milton Rooms to see if I would be interested in promoting a regular blues night,” said Paul. “It took me all of two seconds to agree to it and for Ryedale Blues Club to become a thing.”

His own band DC Blues were the first to play at Ryedale Blues Club but, since then, a who’s who of bands local to the region have played in Malton, including Miles Gilderdale & The Blueflies from York, The Blues Prophets from Scarborough and Harrogate’s Dan Burnett.

It helps that Paul, a co-director of York Blues Festival, which will return to The Crescent Community Centre in April next year, fronts a weekly blues radio show broadcast on four stations in the UK and USA and is in much demand as a harmonica player.

Paul said: “There is definitely potential for Ryedale Blues Club to become something special. We are the only blues club in North Yorkshire and have a regular audience that attends the events, regardless of what style of blues is on offer. .”

Meanwhile, interest in playing at Ryedale Blues Club continues to grow with bands from all over the UK, Europe and beyond approaching Paul.

“The 2019 schedule was filled within a matter of days and I have just about filled the schedule for 2020 following the number of queries I have received,” he said.

“My main hope is for us to be taken seriously as a club within the UK Blues Scene. The grand plan is to have ‘special’ events outside of the regular blues nights where we will invite some of the top touring bands to come and play, but for us to do this we need to get people through the door who appreciate not only blues music but also musicianship of a very high standard. “

Paul added: “We’re very lucky in that we have such a fantastic venue right in the centre of the beautiful market town of Malton. Come and give us a try, you’ll be made to feel very welcome and you will enjoy the intimate atmosphere that we have managed to create.”

Tickets for Ryedale Blues Club are available from www.themiltonrooms.com/events