WORKSHOPS - Blues Week 2026
Blues Week 2026
26th to 31st July 2026
University of Northampton, Northampton NN1 5PH
The Programme
Blues Week 2026 provides an opportunity for blues enthusiasts to come together for a full week of music making. It is a chance to broaden your skills and knowledge in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. The program will offer morning and afternoon workshops and classes for all levels. The beginners class is for those who have little or no knowledge of their instrument. The intermediate and advanced classes are for those who already play to varying degrees of proficiency and are ready to learn new tunes, techniques and styles. The evening activities throughout the week will consist of a concert by the staff members, a student concert and nightly jam sessions.
The Classes
Arrival is Sunday and check-in is at 3 o'clock. Dinner will be provided at 5pm and there will be an orientation session at 7:30. Classes will begin on Monday morning and run through Friday afternoon. There will be 2 sessions (one for beginner/intermediate and the other for intermediate/advanced) in the morning beginning at 9:30 and lasting until 10:45. There is a 20 minute break between each class and the second session will start at 11:05 and end at 12:20. Lunch is from 12:30 to 2:00. In the afternoon, the first class will start at 2:15 and end at 3:30. The second afternoon session will commence at 3:50 and end at 5:05. All classes and workshops during the week will last for one hour and fifteen minutes. The program will include Friday night accommodation and check out is 10am Saturday morning.
The Staff
John has produced 28 tutorial videos for the Stefan Grossman Guitar Workshop. Duck Baker wrote for the Guitarist magazine that âJohn has few peersâ. Also, âThis is not the boy on the magazine cover but the guy the pros admire and cop licks fromâ.
Play The Song, Not The Arrangement (all levels)
Rather than learning historic recorded arrangements of songs, weâll start working on the songs themselves, treating them like blank slates. Using blues standards like âHow Longâ and âKey To The Highwayâ, the class work out how to come up with your own personalized versions of them in several different keys. Youâll see how little it takes to make a strong arrangement of your own, and remember - good is good enough.
Getting Comfortable With Open Tunings (intermediate/advanced)
Each class period will deal with a different open tuning. We'll focus on learning the chord positions you need to play the blues in the different tunings, see where blues sit most comfortably in them and where each tuning particularly shines. The class will discuss how to get into a tuning and back out of them even without a tuner (really!). We'll be working on Spanish tuning (Open G), Vestapol (Open D), Half-Spanish (DGDGBE), EAEGBE, and Open Bb. Songs will be announced at Blues Week.
Seconding A Lead Blues Guitar Part (intermediate / advanced)
So many times in Blues jams, you have a host of guitars playing out of the same playing position or tuning, all occupying the same musical space. Yet that sound is all but absent from historic recorded blues. This class will focus on strategies for backing a blues that create musical space and help keep the rhythm crisp and clear. We'll learn the approaches used by such masterful accompanists of the past as Kansas Joe McCoy and Dan Sane. Michael Roach will be accompanying John and there will be lots of playing in this class.
RAINER BRUNN, Country Blues Guitar
Rainer Brunn recorded a series of blues guitar tutorials on Happy Traumâs âHomespunâ label and has found a lot of recognition by thousands of followers on Facebook and YouTube.
In this class, Rainer will work on accompaniments of popular songs by composers like Elizabeth Cotten, Riley Puckett, Mississippi John Hurt and others. He will also talk about building up basic accompaniments and then bringing them to higherbuilding up basic accompaniments and then bringing them to higher levels.
For one class, Rainer will be working on songs by Big Bill Broonzy, Brownie Mc Ghee, Gary Davis, Sonny Jones and Norman Blake.
Open Tunings (intermediate to advanced)
In this class, Rainer will cover songs by Charly Patton, Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Fred McDowel
DARIUSH KANANI, British Fingerstyly Blues Guitar
Dariush Kanani is a fingerstyle guitarist specialising in folk, blues, ragtime and the British folk legendary guitarists. Captivated from a young age by the guitar playing of Bert Jansch, Davy Graham and John Renbourn, Dariush has performed, studied and taught with some of the most influential figures in fingerstyle guitar. These include Renbourn himself, Stefan Grossman, Clive Carroll and Wizz Jones.
Beginner/Intermediate
For beginner/intermediate students, the aim is to help those who wish to develop their thumb/finger independence in their picking hand. Weâll be exploring how to play an alternating bass while picking out a melody using some of the simpler guitar accompaniments by British folk guitarist/songwriter, Bert Jansch along with examples by the likes of country blues guitarist Mississippi John Hurt.
Intermediate/Advanced #1
This class will be looking at John Renbournâs arrangement of âMy Sweet Potatoâ originally by Booker T Jones. The arrangement follows a 12-bar blues format in the key of D (drop D tuning) but with an interesting modal turnaround. It also employs a percussive right hand approach to hold the groove while picking out the tune. There are lots of fascinating improvisational ideas in the guitar breaks the class will explore.
Intermediate/Advanced #2
The class will focus on learning Bert Janschâs instrumental, âBluesâ from his 1968 album âBirthday Bluesâ. The track is a contrapuntal/counterpoint, instrumental 12-bar blues in the Key of E that features a classic Memphis Slim style piano-blues bass line while simultaneously employing a top line over it. Bert also used this tune as the backing to his version of âBetty & Dupreeâ - the folk-blues standard. Weâll also be looking at John Renbournâs arrangement of âBlueberry Hillâ - the tune made famous by Fats Domino. Renbournâs arrangement is in open G tuning and employs the same classic piano blues bass line while picking out the melody.
ABI BUDGEN, Country Blues Guitar
Abi is a passionate teacher and lifelong student of blues and gospel traditions, playing many styles and innovating with her own songwriting.
Country Blues Guitar (beginner/intermediate)
Abi's class will get students playing and singing straight away. Starting at the beginning, she'll help students to master the technique of playing a steady groove on the bass strings, and then add in rhythm, licks and melodies on the treble strings.
MICHAEL ROACH, Country Blues Guitar and Vocals
Michael is the Founder/Director of Blues Week. With 7 albums to his credit, he is firmly established in traditional blues music circles.
Country Blues Guitar (all levels)
Michael will be available to all students to help with any specific requests to advance your playing.
SCOTT AINSLIE, Bottleneck Slide Guitar and Vocals
Steeped in traditional music from both sides of the color line, Scott Ainslie is a renowned acoustic blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. He learned southern old-time ballads, banjo and fiddle from senior musicians in North Carolina and West Virginia and blues from his black elders in North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi.
Intermediate/Advanced (2 sessions)
In these classes, we will begin with slide in standard tuning, working out essential techniques on a single string. We will mute heavily with both right and left hands. Students will learn how the sound you make is defined by the sound you mute. We'll examine the physical ergonomics of developing some nice vibratos (slow, medium, fast) and talk gear choices and set up. We will then graduate to various open tunings, make sure we understand how they work, and look at repertoire pieces from Muddy Waters and David Honeyboy Edwards in standard tuning, and Robert Johnson in open tunings.
The Blues Voice: Emotionally Effective Vocals
This workshop outlines specific phrasing and expressive techniques used by Blues, R&B, and soul singers to deliver emotionally effective and moving vocals and then drops them into a song you already sing. Working one on one with individual singers (the balance of the class being our 'audience'), we will establish strong ground rules to provide a safe environment in which to try a variety of these techniques in a song that you already know and sing. Scott will be tailoring suggestions for each singer; each song, line, and image, so that both the listener and the singer have a felt sense of what small shifts in delivery can do for the emotional impact of a song, a line, an image.
HOMESICK MAC, Bottleneck Slide Guitar
Mac's main influences were Doc Watson and early country blues players including Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry. Between 1995 and 1999, Mac formed an acoustic duo and recorded with the legendary British slide guitar master Sam Mitchell.
Beginner / Intermediate Bottleneck Slide Guitar
In this class, Mac will guide you step-by-step into the art of acoustic slide playing. He will cover open and standard tunings, how to achieve good slide tone, playing the melody and laying a strong foundation with techniques and insights to keep you growing long after the workshop.
Intermediate / Advanced Bottleneck Slide Guitar
In this class, Mac will explore how to make your slide playing more expressive, dynamic, and complex, blending technical skill with musical storytelling. He will help students enhance and refine their tone, craft more complex melodies, and integrate slide with chords and picking patterns. Students will get tips on how to create layered arrangements in a song and seamlessly combine slide parts with fretted passages - unlocking the best of both worlds. Mac will explore songs by Tampa Red, Lead Belly and others.
ADAM FRANKLIN, Bottleneck Slide Guitar and Mandolin
Adam Franklin is a superb exponent of blues and ragtime from a âgolden ageâ of American music. In addition to guitar, Adam will teach a mandolin class and students are encouraged to bring their mandolin along.
Beginner Slide and Open Tunings (beginner/intermediate)
The classes will concentrate on the more melodic âcountry bluesâ slide guitar players. Students will be taken from the basics of the style, through to playing songs. Artists covered will be Kokomo Arnold, Curley Weaver, Barbecue Bob and more. Time will also be spent on using open tunings without a slide.
Memphis Minnie In Spanish (beginner/intermediate)
For this class, Adam will be studying Memphis Minnieâs superlative playing in Spanish tuning. Whether solo, with Kansas Joe McCoy or in a band setting, Minnie used Spanish tuning often and throughout her 24 year recording career. The class will provide an introduction to songs such as 'Whatâs The Matter With The Millâ; âCanât Afford To Lose My Manâ; âKissing In The Darkâ; âKiller Dillerâ; âCrazy Cryin Bluesâ; âFrankie Jeanâ; and âWhen The Levee Breaksâ.
Blues Mandolin (all levels)
This class is open to all, from beginners to more experienced students. We will be covering blues and ragtime mandolin from the classic 1920âs string band era, to modern Hillbilly tunes from the late 1940s.
Jug Band Duo Class For Harmonica and Guitar (all levels)
For this class, Adam will be accompanying Joe Filisko (see description under Joe Filisko).
EDDIE MARTIN,
Bottleneck Slide Guitar and Harmonica
With 16 acclaimed album/DVD releases, Eddie has been called âThe Ambassador of British Bluesâ and in 2018, he won âBest Solo/Acoustic Artistâ in the European Blues Awards. His 2021 One-Man-Band album made Mojo Magazine's Top 10 Blues Albums of the Year list.
Bottleneck Slide Guitar (beginner/intermediate)
Eddieâs class will start with the basics of slide choice, guitar set up, posture and how to move the slide to best musical effect. Accuracy on single string playing will be developed learning tunes such as âAmazing Graceâ, Kokomo Arnolds version of âHow Longâ, Fred McDowells âYou Got To Moveâ, and Robert Johnsonâs âCome On In My Kitchenâ. The class will also start learning separation of thumb/finger and look at key stylists (eg Blind Willie Johnson, Son House, Fred McDowell, Robert Johnson) in the common slide tunings (D and G). We will work through simple tabs and study videos to introduce you to the signature elements of their right and left hand techniques, picking patterns and percussive effects.
Rack Harmonica and One Man Band (all levels)
If you want to learn rack harmonica to complement your guitar accompaniment or alternatively are a harmonica player who wants to start transferring this to a rack and learning simple guitar parts, this course is for you. If you already do this but want to add foot percussion this is also the course for you. The course handouts include arrangements and tabs for guitar and harmonica parts for blues and some old-timey styled numbers. We will look at the pioneer stylists like Jimmy Reed, Jesse Fuller, Dr Ross and practice different tunes from last yearâs which transfer well to the arrangement, for example Sonny Boy Williamson /Rice Miller and Junior Wells. You need a rack and a guitar for the course, foot percussion is optional.
Blues Harmonica (beginner/intermediate)
With guitar accompaniment, tab guides and course handouts, the emphasis will be on lots of playing to get you skilled at basic techniques (e.g. single note playing, tone control, breathing, bending and trill) to more advanced techniques (e.g. tongue block) using jams, set pieces and references to masters such as Sonny Terry, Little Walter and others. Throughout the week the emphasis is on "less talk / more play" to develop your playing tools, improvising and accompaniment skills.
GRANT DERMODY, Harmonica
Grant is a harmonica player, singer and songwriter active in acoustic and Chicago style blues, old time, and other forms of American roots music.
Blues Harmonica (beginner/intermediate)
Grantâs beginner class will focus on chord and single note tone production, rhythmic playing, tongue blocking, vamping and bending notes. The class will start at the beginning and progress at a comfortably challenging pace.
Blues Harmonica (intermediate/advanced)
One of Grantâs classes will focus on improvising and tone production. He will also focus on being able to hear and hold down a groove as a band member or part of a duo. The other class will look at developing repertoire and bringing the emotion and feel that each song requires. The technique follows from there.
JOE FILISKO, Harmonica
Joe is one of the world's most respected teachers, players and authorities on the diatonic blues harmonica. His area of expertise is the acoustic pre-war and amplified post-war playing styles and how to get the biggest, fattiest and greasiest sound out of the tiny harmonica. The SPAH organization named Joe âHarmonica Player of the Yearâ in 2001.
Blues Harmonica Repertoire (intermediate/advanced)
For this class, Joe will teach students exactly what they need to know and do to sound like a competent and seasoned player in the BIG toned Chicago blues tradition. He will focus on: how to relax and breathe correctly; various hand positions and techniques for acoustic & amplified playing; throat tremolo & vibrato; tongue blocking; and note bending.
Jug Band Duo Class For Harmonica and Guitar (all levels)
One of Joe's favorite styles of early blues is the festive jug band music that came from Memphis in the 1920âs and 30âs. The style mixed blues with other roots music and featured some amazing harmonica and guitar playing. For this class, Joe will be working with Adam Franklin and they will break down some songs in the traditional jug band style for a duo setting. Each day, theyâll work on the guitar and harmonica parts separately and as a group. The goal of the class will be to develop a performance ready version of one or two songs by the end of the week.
ED HOPWOOD, Harmonica
Ed Hopwood is a harmonica player, drummer and singer based in London. He grew up on blues & jazz music and went on to graduate from The University of West London with a degree in popular music performance. âHopwood has a gift for playing minimally yet utterly musically at the same time". Blues Blast Magazine
Blues Harmonica (beginner/intermediate)
Ed leads his workshops with a focus on rhythm & groove and loves Blues, Gospel, Bluegrass & Zydeco. Get ready to play melodies and learn the skills and confidence to improvise! Ed teaches a range of techniques and adapts each session to suit the groupâs skills and interests, getting everyone playing together and exchanging ideas. With a strong focus on collaboration, youâll build confidence, discover new techniques, and develop fresh rhythmic ideas.
Registration Fees 2026
On Campus: ÂŁ850 and includes all classes, activities, 6 nights accommodation with breakfast, lunch and dinner
Advance registration is required and is on a first come first served basis. A deposit of ÂŁ400 will reserve your place. Once you have made a payment, can you please send us an email with your details. We have an exclusive âOnline Accessâ page on our website and once we have been notified of your payment, you will be given the password to view the teaching resources we have on offer. The videos cover all of the classes from different teachers and all levels of ability. Also, we will be offering âfreeâ Zoom lessons to everyone who pay to attend this year. All lessons will be recorded and posted to the âOnline Accessâ page for future reference. The balance of payment is due by 1st July 2026. Any cancellations will be refunded (minus a ÂŁ100 administration fee) if you withdraw before 1st July 2026. After the 1st of July, all payments are non-refundable. If you are sending us a cheque, please include your registration form along with your payment in British Sterling.
Off Campus: includes all classes and activities ÂŁ450
Per Day Rate: includes all classes and activities ÂŁ175
Please make payment to: Euroblues Promotions Limited, P.O. Box 1333 Cheltenham GL50 9AS
For bank transfers, our sort code is 20-20-15 and our account number is 60473928. Space is limited and it is advisable to book early to avoid disappointment.
We will send confirmation of your deposit upon receipt of payment. On 1st July, we will be posting to all participants the complete details of your stay during the week. Fees include all classes and activities, accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Accommodation consists of a private single en-suite room.
Our John Jackson Youth Scholarship Fund will provide subsidised places for young people between the ages of 14 to 21. Students between the ages of 14 and 17 are eligible for a ÂŁ250 subsidy. Students between the ages of 18 and 21 who are not in full time employment are eligible for a ÂŁ200 subsidy.
A parent or responsible adult must accompany all students 16 and under. If you know of someone who qualifies or have a family member that you would like to bring along, please contact us for immediate consideration. This scholarship is only available to first-time participants.