The Ikos

DOM PIPKIN & THE IKOS TRIO

Dom Pipkin has been at the forefront of European musicians and songwriters championing the authentic New Orleans piano sound for several decades now. This is the music of Archibald, Dr John, Professor Longhair, Huey ‘Piano’ Smith and Fats Domino, the cream of New Orleans blues and R&B.

Dom has performed all over the world, both as a solo artist and with artists as diverse as David Byrne and Paloma Faith and is a regular performer in New Orleans including the prestigious “Piano Night” at the world-famous Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Pipkin’s band the Ikos are named after the New Orleans classic “Iko Iko” being largely an original music affair with keyboards, horns and guitar but stripped down to the trio format you can really hear the music stretching out instrumentally. Joining Dom for this special show are Ikos bass player, Harry Whitty and drummer Jimmy Norton both of whom enjoy stellar pedigrees.

Their sets mine the catalogue of traditional Louisiana R&B, mixing the classics together with Pipkin’s own compelling song writing, playing a highly infectious blend of jazz, blues, gospel and New Orleans street funk. Pipkins fans are many including Jamie Cullum who says, “I can’t hold a candle to this guy…” whilst Blues In Britain describes him as “one of the world’s greatest exponents of New Orleans piano …”