The Cream of Clapton Band feat. Will Johns & Noah East
Show Dates are Subject to Change
Saturday
Apr 29th
8:00 pm
PDT
6:00 pm Doors
$30.00
SHOW DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
From Cocaine, Badge, Sunshine of Your Love and Layla, to Forever Man, Tearing Us Apart, Holy Mother and Bad Love.
Four stellar musicians with indelible family and musical ties to the Clapton legacy, join forces to perform this inspirational new concert with an energy and flair that’s all their own.
Lead guitarist and vocalist Will Johns is Eric’s Nephew; on keyboards, Noah East is son to Clapton’s longtime bassist, Nathan East.
This is augmented by the prodigious talent and showmanship of Dylan Elise of Blood, Sweat & Tears, on drums, and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Steve Ball, who recently toured with The Music of Cream.
The set includes not only the ‘Clapton Classics’ but rekindles hits from albums such as Behind the Sun, August and Journeyman – recordings that have particularly influenced this band and led to Eric’s record breaking 24-night residency at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Played with a sensibility that comes from being around this music their whole lives, the band also share stories about growing up in and around a musical legend who is ‘honoured and pleased’ that this project will be hitting the road in 2023 and beyond.
From Cocaine, Badge, Sunshine of Your Love and Layla, to Forever Man, Tearing Us Apart, Holy Mother and Bad Love.
Four stellar musicians with indelible family and musical ties to the Clapton legacy, join forces to perform this inspirational new concert with an energy and flair that’s all their own.
Lead guitarist and vocalist Will Johns is Eric’s Nephew; on keyboards, Noah East is son to Clapton’s longtime bassist, Nathan East.
This is augmented by the prodigious talent and showmanship of Dylan Elise of Blood, Sweat & Tears, on drums, and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Steve Ball, who recently toured with The Music of Cream.
The set includes not only the ‘Clapton Classics’ but rekindles hits from albums such as Behind the Sun, August and Journeyman – recordings that have particularly influenced this band and led to Eric’s record breaking 24-night residency at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Played with a sensibility that comes from being around this music their whole lives, the band also share stories about growing up in and around a musical legend who is ‘honoured and pleased’ that this project will be hitting the road in 2023 and beyond.
Cream of Clapton
Pop
NEW BAND OF FAMILY & FRIENDS REIGNITE CLAPTON’S CHART-TOPPING ERA, WITH 2023 TOUR
When Eric Clapton’s ‘Heaven Band’ toured from the mid 1980s to early ‘90s, bass player Nathan East said the quartet came up with the name “because it was it was some of the most fun we ever had.”
Almost four decades later, another quartet of stellar musicians with familial ties to the original group have formed The Cream Of Clapton Band and will hit the road with that same fun-loving spirit to perform The Very Best of Eric Clapton in 2023.
Lead guitarist and vocalist Will Johns is Clapton’s nephew and on keyboards, Noah East is Nathan East’s son. Their personal connection to this music is augmented by the prodigious talent of drummer Dylan Elise from Blood, Sweat & Tears and the significant experience of multi-instrumentalist, Steve Ball, on bass and vocals.
Heavily influenced by the original foursome of Clapton, Collins, East, and Phillinganes, this next generation of musicians believe it’s just the right time to revive the best examples from this period with a fresh and vibrant approach. Accordingly the set list includes songs like Forever Man, Behind The Mask, Tearing Us Apart and Bad Love.
“Of course, we will be playing classics like Cocaine, Sunshine of Your Love, Badge and Layla” says Johns. “But there are many great songs that haven’t been performed for some time, like the Gold and Platinum selling albums Behind the Sun, August and Journeyman, which ultimately led to Eric’s record breaking 24-night residency at the Royal Albert Hall. We’ve added an energy, groove and flair that’s very much our own. We will have everyone up and dancing from the get go.”
The band will also be sharing stories and anecdotes about growing up around a legend who is reportedly “looking forward” to seeing this project on the road.
“Eric and I went fishing recently,” says Johns “and one of the first things he said was, ‘So I hear you and Nathan’s son are going on tour playing my music?’ When I asked him if he was alright with that he told me, to my absolute delight, that he was honoured. It means the world to me to have his blessing and we are all super excited about our new concert tour. Eric and Nathan even recorded a short video for us!”
Johns is British icon Pattie (‘Layla’) Boyd’s nephew and got to know his “Uncle Eric” as a boy, which included an introduction to his two lifelong loves: fishing and the guitar. His father is the late, great Andy Johns, legendary record producer and engineer for the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Van Halen. It is this unique upbringing and DNA that has shaped Johns into the musician audiences know today – an artist whose 2021 release of BLUESDADDY went to the top of several charts worldwide.
East, having played the piano from four years of age and listened to his father play with Clapton before that, is thrilled to immerse himself in what he refers to as the soundtrack of his childhood: “I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play Eric’s music in a style like this, with such amazing musicians. Being so closely tied with the actual band, I think we’re going to be able to capture the true essence of the music because we’ve been around it our whole lives,” he says.
Dad Nathan has also expressed his excitement about this phase of his career being revisited by such close connections.
“I can’t wait to catch The Cream of Clapton Band on the road! It’s going to be such fun listening to this great family of musicians play these fabulous songs.”
Hailing from New Zealand, Elise was also something of a child prodigy who grew up heavily influenced by British blues-rock and says of Johns and East, “with their connects and DNA, it makes this so much more authentic. We’ve got a lot to live up to, but I know we are going to deliver a show and experience like no other!”
The Samoan-British boy appeared on numerous national television shows as a young musician and has gone on to perform and teach internationally. Based now in Los Angeles, he has carved out a career and reputation as one of the world’s most-watched drummers – his YouTube channel boasts over 30 million views.
Since 2005 Ball has been part of well-known Chicago based band, Mr. Blotto, and says he’s been “wearing out grooves on Cream and Eric Clapton records since I was a kid.” He’s clocked up 3000 + shows over 30 years, including playing with Will Johns during the last Music of Cream tour, in 2022.
Says Ball on the ethos behind playing the music of an icon: “This is us paying tribute to the music that Eric Clapton made. We’re not doing it exactly like he did, and we wouldn’t want to, in the same way that Eric doesn’t play the blues songs exactly like the bluesmen that he loves. He does it in his own way, and that is our goal.”
When Eric Clapton’s ‘Heaven Band’ toured from the mid 1980s to early ‘90s, bass player Nathan East said the quartet came up with the name “because it was it was some of the most fun we ever had.”
Almost four decades later, another quartet of stellar musicians with familial ties to the original group have formed The Cream Of Clapton Band and will hit the road with that same fun-loving spirit to perform The Very Best of Eric Clapton in 2023.
Lead guitarist and vocalist Will Johns is Clapton’s nephew and on keyboards, Noah East is Nathan East’s son. Their personal connection to this music is augmented by the prodigious talent of drummer Dylan Elise from Blood, Sweat & Tears and the significant experience of multi-instrumentalist, Steve Ball, on bass and vocals.
Heavily influenced by the original foursome of Clapton, Collins, East, and Phillinganes, this next generation of musicians believe it’s just the right time to revive the best examples from this period with a fresh and vibrant approach. Accordingly the set list includes songs like Forever Man, Behind The Mask, Tearing Us Apart and Bad Love.
“Of course, we will be playing classics like Cocaine, Sunshine of Your Love, Badge and Layla” says Johns. “But there are many great songs that haven’t been performed for some time, like the Gold and Platinum selling albums Behind the Sun, August and Journeyman, which ultimately led to Eric’s record breaking 24-night residency at the Royal Albert Hall. We’ve added an energy, groove and flair that’s very much our own. We will have everyone up and dancing from the get go.”
The band will also be sharing stories and anecdotes about growing up around a legend who is reportedly “looking forward” to seeing this project on the road.
“Eric and I went fishing recently,” says Johns “and one of the first things he said was, ‘So I hear you and Nathan’s son are going on tour playing my music?’ When I asked him if he was alright with that he told me, to my absolute delight, that he was honoured. It means the world to me to have his blessing and we are all super excited about our new concert tour. Eric and Nathan even recorded a short video for us!”
Johns is British icon Pattie (‘Layla’) Boyd’s nephew and got to know his “Uncle Eric” as a boy, which included an introduction to his two lifelong loves: fishing and the guitar. His father is the late, great Andy Johns, legendary record producer and engineer for the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Van Halen. It is this unique upbringing and DNA that has shaped Johns into the musician audiences know today – an artist whose 2021 release of BLUESDADDY went to the top of several charts worldwide.
East, having played the piano from four years of age and listened to his father play with Clapton before that, is thrilled to immerse himself in what he refers to as the soundtrack of his childhood: “I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play Eric’s music in a style like this, with such amazing musicians. Being so closely tied with the actual band, I think we’re going to be able to capture the true essence of the music because we’ve been around it our whole lives,” he says.
Dad Nathan has also expressed his excitement about this phase of his career being revisited by such close connections.
“I can’t wait to catch The Cream of Clapton Band on the road! It’s going to be such fun listening to this great family of musicians play these fabulous songs.”
Hailing from New Zealand, Elise was also something of a child prodigy who grew up heavily influenced by British blues-rock and says of Johns and East, “with their connects and DNA, it makes this so much more authentic. We’ve got a lot to live up to, but I know we are going to deliver a show and experience like no other!”
The Samoan-British boy appeared on numerous national television shows as a young musician and has gone on to perform and teach internationally. Based now in Los Angeles, he has carved out a career and reputation as one of the world’s most-watched drummers – his YouTube channel boasts over 30 million views.
Since 2005 Ball has been part of well-known Chicago based band, Mr. Blotto, and says he’s been “wearing out grooves on Cream and Eric Clapton records since I was a kid.” He’s clocked up 3000 + shows over 30 years, including playing with Will Johns during the last Music of Cream tour, in 2022.
Says Ball on the ethos behind playing the music of an icon: “This is us paying tribute to the music that Eric Clapton made. We’re not doing it exactly like he did, and we wouldn’t want to, in the same way that Eric doesn’t play the blues songs exactly like the bluesmen that he loves. He does it in his own way, and that is our goal.”
Taz Taylor Band
Music
In January 1997 UK-born Taz Taylor took a leap of faith and boarded a plane to Los Angeles with nothing more than a guitar, a backpack and roughly $2,000...
He spent much of his first year in the USA as a long haul truck driver, criss-crossing the country countless times in an 18-wheeler and spending the downtime in his sleeper berth practicing guitar. Eventually he settled in San Diego CA and set about recording his debut instrumental album "Caffeine Racer" which was released in July 2004. A band was formed and live shows commenced.
Caffeine Racer got the attention of legendary vocalist Graham Bonnet, most notable for working with the best guitarists in rock (Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai) and they set about recording the Taz Taylor Band album "Welcome To America" which was released on the UK label Escape Music in Aug 2006.
International tours followed in 2007 and 2008, taking the band to UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary and Czech Republic.
In 2009 the band recruited another ex-MSG vocalist, Keith Slack for the "Straight Up" album, also on Escape Music, and also featuring a guest appearance from Deep Purple's Don Airey on keyboards.
2010 saw the band returning to Taz's instrumental roots with the release of "Big Dumb Rock" and the band played a string of dates to promote BDR opening for MSG (5 times), Uli Jon Roth (6 times), UFO (twice), Gary Hoey (5 times), Pat Travers (3 times), Dokken, Skid Row, Great White, Molly Hatchet, LA Guns (3 times), Lynch Mob, Wishbone Ash, Tony McAlpine (4 times), Alan Holdsworth, Ace Frehley, John 5 (4 times) and Eric Johnson.
In 2014 TTB released "Deja Voodoo", an all instrumental offering of eight songs and the band took to the road playing shows all across the UK as well as in California.
June 2017 saw the release of “Pressure And Time”. This album featured the vocal talents of Chandler Mogel and also the return of Taz’ acoustic guitar playing which featured prominently on 3 of the songs on this album, most notably on a complete re-working of “Highway Song” originally recorded by Blackfoot.
This album was released on Escape Music in Europe and on Rubicon Music in Japan. The Japanese version included a live bonus track, Explorations… recorded on the band’s 2014 tour in the U.K.
2019 saw the release of “Hats, Tats And Guitars”…Taz’ favorite Instrumental release!
2022 heralded a new beginning for TTB. Now managed by Giles Lavery Management and signed to new label Global Rock Records, TTB released “Nocturnal” an album of Melodic Hard Rock featuring a handful of world class guest vocalists including Graham Bonnet, Mark Boals and Doogie White amongst others and showcasing the continuing evolution of Taz’ guitar playing!
He spent much of his first year in the USA as a long haul truck driver, criss-crossing the country countless times in an 18-wheeler and spending the downtime in his sleeper berth practicing guitar. Eventually he settled in San Diego CA and set about recording his debut instrumental album "Caffeine Racer" which was released in July 2004. A band was formed and live shows commenced.
Caffeine Racer got the attention of legendary vocalist Graham Bonnet, most notable for working with the best guitarists in rock (Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai) and they set about recording the Taz Taylor Band album "Welcome To America" which was released on the UK label Escape Music in Aug 2006.
International tours followed in 2007 and 2008, taking the band to UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary and Czech Republic.
In 2009 the band recruited another ex-MSG vocalist, Keith Slack for the "Straight Up" album, also on Escape Music, and also featuring a guest appearance from Deep Purple's Don Airey on keyboards.
2010 saw the band returning to Taz's instrumental roots with the release of "Big Dumb Rock" and the band played a string of dates to promote BDR opening for MSG (5 times), Uli Jon Roth (6 times), UFO (twice), Gary Hoey (5 times), Pat Travers (3 times), Dokken, Skid Row, Great White, Molly Hatchet, LA Guns (3 times), Lynch Mob, Wishbone Ash, Tony McAlpine (4 times), Alan Holdsworth, Ace Frehley, John 5 (4 times) and Eric Johnson.
In 2014 TTB released "Deja Voodoo", an all instrumental offering of eight songs and the band took to the road playing shows all across the UK as well as in California.
June 2017 saw the release of “Pressure And Time”. This album featured the vocal talents of Chandler Mogel and also the return of Taz’ acoustic guitar playing which featured prominently on 3 of the songs on this album, most notably on a complete re-working of “Highway Song” originally recorded by Blackfoot.
This album was released on Escape Music in Europe and on Rubicon Music in Japan. The Japanese version included a live bonus track, Explorations… recorded on the band’s 2014 tour in the U.K.
2019 saw the release of “Hats, Tats And Guitars”…Taz’ favorite Instrumental release!
2022 heralded a new beginning for TTB. Now managed by Giles Lavery Management and signed to new label Global Rock Records, TTB released “Nocturnal” an album of Melodic Hard Rock featuring a handful of world class guest vocalists including Graham Bonnet, Mark Boals and Doogie White amongst others and showcasing the continuing evolution of Taz’ guitar playing!