The Jim Hammond Band - Thursday 29 October 2026 at The Boat Shack, Bromsgrove

The Jim Hammond Band
With much ingenuity and a phone call to the Samaritans, we found our way through the Kensal Rise triangle, with its road closures, roadworks and network of one way streets. With a big sigh of relief, we arrived at ‘the Conny’ for today’s Rock and Roll session with the incredible Jim Hammond Trio. The place was packed with friendly faces and many who became new friends before the end of the gig.
If you know Jim, then you know just what you expect . This was a full-tilt, take no prisoners, boogie and r&r session, with one of the UK's best boogie-woogie pianists . . . and he's an exceptional guitarist too. Jim has been doing this 25+ years, and his piano playing has echoes of Jerry Lee Lewis with his right hand flying and left hand roaring like a freight train. When he's not on the keys, his guitarwork drives relentlessly behind his vocals and gives a respectful nod to the merry Mr Berry . . . but it goes well beyond that!
From the rocking rhythms of the first number and Jim’s vibrant vocals, the crowd were quickly up on the dancefloor for some enthusiastic jiving to songs we know well, with a rhythm section that never let up . . . that upright bass was driving through the setlist, while the drummer was keeping it tight, but loose enough to swing.
If the first set brought some familiar favourites from the songbooks of Jerry Lee, Fats Domino, Johnny Cash and Mrs Presley’s lad, then the second set was where it took off and looked like testing the fixings of The Conny's roof. Jim Hammond's Trio play that 50s & 60s rock and roll like they fully intend it to raise the spirits and over-excite the senses . . . and they do. There was even a little hand-jiving from those who couldn’t find room on the packed dancefloor.
Then, generously, Jim stepped away from the piano stool and grabbed his guitar to give local celebrity, the genial Paul Armstrong the chance to rattle the 88s with a fine selection of numbers that kept the dancers dancing and never missing a beat. Paul clearly has his own well-honed style and professionalism . . . and fan club . . . and none were disappointed!
All too soon time was running out fast and the two encores from Jim Hammond rightly received riotous whooping and applause from the crowd and ensured no one left without a smile. What a gig! This was pure joy from start to finish and as good an excuse as you need to do it again, sometime soon!

Dennis Roberts

The Boat Shack
The Boat Shack is a cafe bar & ice cream parlour, situated overlooking a picturesque lake.