About Jim Driscoll & Jenny May
Originally from Salisbury, England, Jim Driscoll moved to Oxford in 1990. As a student, he became involved in the local music scene and since then, has played pivotal roles as both keyboardist and songwriter in the longstanding ska band The Drug Squad. Along with fellow band member Stef Hamilton (The Epstein), they formed The Mullet Brothers playing acoustic/country/punk. As an acoustic act, Jim played both on his own and with Stef during a long weekly residency at the Brickworks on the Cowley Road, Oxford.
Other bands Jim has worked with include Eduard Soundingblock, The Bigger the God, and South Sea Company Prospectus; he's shared the stage with The Selecter, Mogwai, Dive Dive, Rock of Travolta and Capdown, amongst others.
The multi-talented Driscoll, also poet, philosopher and playwright, is influenced by such artists as Woody Guthrie, Alex Glasgow, Beefheart, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Dylan and The Band, Van Morrison, The Kinks, Johnny Cash, Billy Bragg, John Martyn, Big Bill Broonzy, Josh White and Phil Ocks.
Jenny May grew up in a small town in New England, and since moving away in 2003, now calls Oxford, England her home. Inspired by Jimi Hendrix - the man and his music, the desire to explore beyond the musical circuit of north eastern America was too strong to ignore. With a background that includes playing festivals (Coors Light Balloon Festival, Ben & Jerry's), the infamous Nectar's in Burlington, Vermont and releasing her independent EP 'The May Sessions', Jenny was ready to continue her journey over seas.
"Oxford has been a real eye opener", Jenny states, "there are so many musicians here, dabbling in various genres, just doing their thing. One thing that I've loved about moving to England, is discovering that music really is a universal language and that as a singer and musician coming here from a different country, it's made life easier, meeting and connecting with other musicians - the familiar."
Now settled in Oxford, Jenny has worked on projects with Dave Tommo, members of Mercury Music Prize nominated Guillemots - including appearing in their "Trains To Brazil" video, and Jim Driscoll. She's also the founder of BandWeblogs.com.
Influences include Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, The Shirelles, Bonnie Raitt, The Allman Brothers and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Jim and Jenny are both excited about their collaboration. "It's come together so quickly." says Jim. "There is a real buzz about it that both of us feel, and it seems to rub off on the audience too."
Booking: London/Oxford, UK
For bookings and more information, contact: info at bandweblogs dot com