VINCE LEE AND THE BIG COMBO - BIOGRAPHY

Vince Lee has been a mainstay on the South West's live music scene for over 35 years. An authentic, virtuoso blues musician who's band 'The Big Combo' have become almost legendary around the Devon & Cornwall area. Since forming in 1996 the band has gone through several line-up changes but has always kept it's roots as a trio focusing on Vince's considerable talents as a blues guitarist and singer. Al Wallis has been 'The Combo's bass player since day one & their latest drummer, Kevin Crowe has been with Vince & Al since 2003 when they formed The Wildcards. . Vince has always been an active promoter of blues music in and around his home town, Plymouth. His involvement with many of the areas finest players has lead to several notable musical projects, bands & recordings.

He toured the UK & Europe extensively for 10 years as frontman with The Wildcards, a 4 piece rockin' rhythm & blues band releasing 3 successful albums between 2004 & 2010. He has recorded & helped produce 4 further albums with fellow blues songwriter/guitarist Thomas Ford who has received great acclaim on the European blues circuit in recent years. Vince performed with Thomas Ford's sister. Becca Langsford He produced and played most of the instruments on Becca Langsfords debut album 'Big Surprise' which was released in 2011. they played many shows together as a guitar/washboard duo until 2021.

in 2022 Vince launched a brand new duo with his partner and double bass player Sophie Lord who had returned to Plymouth after 10 years working as a bass player in London. Together they have played many prestigious blues festivals and gained a huge following on social media platforms for their blues music videos which have reached millions of people around the world. Their style touches on American roots music, jump blues, calypso, swing & ragtime. Vince & Sophie visited the United States in Spring 2023 performing at the world famous Topanga Blues Festival in California and Gator By The Bay Festival in San Diego. They will be returning next year after establishing themselves on the Southern California music scene. A keen collector of vintage American guitars and amplifiers, Vince has become a slightly obsessive expert on Harmony guitars & related brands from the golden age of blues & rock 'n' roll.

 

Who I've opened for (or shared line up with)

Who I have played with...

Where I have played...

Joe Louis Walker - US

Wentus Blues Band - FIN

Kirk Fletcher - US

Lynwood Slim - US

Dave Alvin - US

Mick Taylor - UK

The Nightporters - UK

The Fabulous Thunderbirds - US

Eddie Martin - UK

Junior Watson - US

Bob Brozman - US

Mike Sanchez - UK 

Imelda May - UK

Barrence Whitfield - US

Wilco Johnson - UK

Eric Bibb - US

Johnny Winter - US

Sean Costello - US

Omar & The Howlers - US

Eddie Kirkland - US 

Ian Siegal - UK

Otis Grand - US

 

Gary Primich - US

Thomas Ford & The Dirty Harmonys - UK

The Wildcards - UK

Vince Lee & The Big Combo - UK

The Becca Langsford Band - UK

Mama Tokus & The Sons of Bitches - UK

Giles Robson & The Dirty Aces - UK

Ray Sharp - US

Rollo Markee - UK

Ben Waters - UK

Diz Watson & Tony Uter - UK

Bob Brozman - US

Steve James - US

Kirk Fletcher - US

Rockin' Johnny Burgen - US

TC & The Moneymakers - UK

Colne, Great British Rhythm & Blues festival - UK

Night of The Blues - Belgium

Moulin Blues festival - Holland

Pori Jazz festival - Finland

Storyville Jazz Club - Helsinki, Finland

Amal Blues festival - Sweden

Bishopstock Blues festival - UK

Spirit of 66 - Belgium

Mojo Blues Bar - Denmark

Ain't Nothin' But - Soho UK

Maryport Blues Festival - UK

Blues at the Farm festival - UK

The Blues Kitchen - UK

Barbican Jazz & Blues Festival - UK

Harvest Time Blues festival - IRE

Bethune Retro - FR

Festival Le Blues Autour Zinc - FR

Move2blues @ Muziekodroom - Belgium

Blues Au Chateau - FR

Ashburton Blues Festival - UK

(Ge)varenwinkel Blues & Roots festival - Belgium

The Borderline - Belgium

Turnhout Prison - Belgium

The Kaiserkeller - Germany

The Blues Garage - Germany

 

Discography

TAPE

Vince Lee Blues Band - Homesick Boys (cassette only) - 1988

Vince Lee - Resonator Man (cassette only) - 1992

CD

Vince Lee & The Big Combo - Call it what ya wanna! - 2003

The Wildcards - On Fire - 2004

The Wildcards - Raising Hell - 2006

The Wildcards - When The Moon Shines Bright - 2010

Becca Langsford - Big Surprise - 2011

Thomas Ford - Separation Street - 2008

Thomas Ford - Thomas Ford - 2010

Thomas Ford - Breaking Everything But Even - 2014

Thomas Ford - Shoulder to Cry on - 2015

Mama Tokus - On the Ragtime - 2011

Becky Brine - Almost - 2008

Head of Programmes - Goodbye Forever - 2009

The Hot Rats - Red Hot - 2006

The Hot Rats - Good Times - 2014

Russell Sinclair - Bought & Sold - 2015

VINYL

Last Shop Standing 7 inch EP - 2012

Songs from the Dogwatch - (Plymouth bands compilation) - 2008

Patrick James Pearson Band - And So It Goes - 2013

Vince Lee & The Big Combo - Call it what ya wanna! Limited Edition (500 copies) - 2010

All material � Vince Lee and the Big Combo