# Event Details - **Event Name**: Blues: Johnny Mars + The Craig Milverton Quartet - **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 23 Oct, 2026 at 07:30 pm – Fri, 23 Oct, 2026 at 10:00 pm (+01:00) - **Event Description**: Join us for an evening with legendary US blues harmonica player Johnny MarsAbout this EventJoin us for an evening with legendary US blues harmonica player, Johnny MarsJohnny Mars Johnny grew up in the Southern States, receiving his first harmonica at the age of 9. He remembers listening to jazz on the radio, and sitting in juke joints where he would hear the music of Muddy Waters, B B King, Little Walter etc. Aged 14, at the death of his mother, Johnny moved to New York State, completing his education and singing and playing harmonica in his first blues band in 1957, the Train Riders.After playing at Woodstock, he formed 'The John Mars Band' and travelled to California in time for the summer of love! They played on the same shows as, for example Alice Cooper and Santana etc. and later toured with 'Magic Sam'.In May 1972 Johnny came to England with his wife. He also made his first European album, 'Blues From Mars'.In 1991 Johnny also played as featured soloist on an album for the popular group Banarama. Their singles "The Preacher Man, Megalomaniac, and Long Train Running" rose on the charts and Johnny subsequently made TV appearances across Europe and performed in their videos.Johnny continued to perform in major blues festivals and concerts in the UK and across Europe, as well as in the States, developing his career as a harmonica player and experimenting with electrics and pedals etc.As a sideline, for the last 15 years Johnny has taught in primary schools in England, enthusing the young generation with the harmonica. This is what inspired the CD "Dare to Dream, Aim to Achieve", produced with schools in Portsmouth in 1999.One of his latest projects has been working with young teenage musicians, encouraging their love of blues, and forming ' Johnny Mars and Stars'.Craig Milverton is sought after as a skilled accompanist to such star vocalists as Stacey Kent and Tina May. His trios are regularly required to back visiting American soloists at festivals and venues across the country including Scott Hamilton, Ken Peplowski and Warren Vache. Few British pianists have Craig’s thorough knowledge and grasp of jazz styles.Ashley John Long is an award-winning virtuoso double bassist and composer across a wide range of genres. He is an active performer in jazz and free improvisation, regularly playing and recording with some of the leading figures in both fields. He has toured internationally with a wide range of artists and is much in demand as a session musician.Nick Millward is one of UK’s leading jazz drummers. He is well known for being the drummer who powered the rhythm section of Kenny Ball’s Jazzmen from 1999.Ben Milverton on guitar is an experienced gigging musician appearing many times at Clubs and Jazz Festivals including Teignmouth, Pershore, Bude and Beaminster. His astonishing technique and ability has been praised by such great guitarists as Nigel Price and Dominic Ashworth.Performance starts at 7:30pm, doors from 6:30pm with bar available.Tickets:General admission: £22Students: £11 with valid student ID*Tickets purchased online are subject to an additional booking fee. This fee is to cover the cost of providing our Box Office service.Tickets can also be purchased by ringing 01460 54973 or visiting us during opening hours.*Please note that tickets for performances and workshops are not refundable unless we are fully booked and have a waiting list. Refunds are subject to a £5 admin charge. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/ilminster/blues-johnny-mars-the-craig-milverton-quartet/100001995910425812 - **Event Categories**: music, entertainment, festivals, concerts, performances, workshops, art, jazz - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes - Location: Ilminster Arts Centre - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 23.98, currency: GBP ## Event venue details - **city**: Ilminster - **state**: EN - **country**: United Kingdom - **location**: Ilminster Arts Centre - **lat**: 50.9268819 - **long**: -2.9077093 - **full address**: Ilminster Arts Centre, 35 East Street, Ilminster, United Kingdom ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Blues: Johnny Mars + The Craig Milverton Quartet - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/1611197bc34aba7c6b8f5b00a15b43e7b4e6506445d43a3bc0e5591f5d1fbdeb-rimg-w800-h400-dc080808-gmir.jpg?v=1785448872 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Blues: Johnny Mars + The Craig Milverton Quartet being held? - **A:** Blues: Johnny Mars + The Craig Milverton Quartet takes place on Fri, 23 Oct, 2026 at 07:30 pm to Fri, 23 Oct, 2026 at 10:00 pm at Ilminster Arts Centre, 35 East Street, Ilminster, United Kingdom. - **Q**: Who is organizing Blues: Johnny Mars + The Craig Milverton Quartet? - **A:** Blues: Johnny Mars + The Craig Milverton Quartet is organized by Ilminster Arts Centre. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Blues: Johnny Mars + The Craig Milverton Quartet is ideal for music lovers, fans of all genres, and anyone who wants to celebrate the power of music - from intimate gigs and live sessions to festivals and cultural performances. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Ilminster, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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