LEAVIN’ TRUNK is the latest exciting venture by five great musicians and entertainers already familiar to many with a working knowledge of the UK blues scene.
Two things unite the music of Leavin’ Trunk: A powerful, funky groove, infused with a scintilla of New Orleans gumbo; and some great tunes - band originals and re-interpretations of wonderful old songs from all sorts of obscure corners of the blues and soul catalogue. We defy you NOT to dance to this band!
Down the years, frontman Tim Aves has led a series of great bands, including Essex r’n’b rockers Automatic Slim, Texas blues outfit The Rockin’ Armadillos and latterly, the Howlin’ Wolf-inspired Tim Aves & WOLFPACK.
For much of that time Tim has worked alongside bassman Rob “Tank” Barry, a musician whose dedication to the groove has also earned him stage time with UK Blues Challenge winners LaVendore Rogue, Hokie Joint, Ian Siegal, Jon Amor, much-loved Californian bluesman Lightnin’ Willie and US Blues Music Award nominee Jose Ramirez, among others.
Drummer John Butters is true veteran of the scene, the driving force behind a succession of legendary bands since the 1970s, including The Mean Red Spiders, The Groove Doctors and most recently, Blues Situation.
Craig Fillbrook brings guitar talents to the party via his role in Blues Situation alongside John. He has previously worked on the rockabilly/psychobilly scene with Voodoo Bones and the Rhythmn Boys and on the blues circuit with the Mark Sharpe Blues Band and Giles King’s Goofa Dust.
Finally, the ace up the Leavin’ Card sleeve is Adam Whyatt, whose classy, soulful keyboards have graced many excellent bands, including The Shaboogamoo Shufflers, The Midnight Specials, Papa Rocksy, South of the Border and the Bluesome Twosome (with New Orleans native Nolan Wiltz).
Leavin' Trunk first came together during the autumn 2020 lull between COVID lockdowns. Rehearsals resumed in the summer of 2021, and the boys are now out there gigging whenever they can, playing almost as many band originals as forgotten classics from the back catalogues of Taj Mahal, Otis Clay and The Band.