An always-colourful, often-chaotic calypso carnival, The Bamboo Band are one of the South Coast's most unusual and entertaining live acts.

Based around a loose collective of musicians and artists, the band take traditional and contemporary calypso music, add a dash of anarchic fun, and end up with a unique sound.

Musicians come and go, with the core of the band being wild-haired frontman James Fryer (guitar and vocals), Jennifer Mercer (vocals), Freddy Adams (hand percussion), Paul Hotton (flute), Pip Walter (stringed instruments) and Dave Prowter (bottle and spoon).

Visuals are provided by Tracey Thompson, from RAG. The artist-led organisation, who are working with the band on costumes, props and stage-sets, will also be running children's percussion-making workshops in 2003 -- with the workhops ending in Bamboo Band gigs. Tracey is helped by seven-year-old Dayna Richman, who has been known to join the band onstage playing percussion.

Other occasional members include Andy Humphries (lead guitar), Tig Savage (Backing vocals and percussion), Duncan (double bass), Fr Marcus Ronchetti (congas) Richard Durrant (lead guitar, bass) and Tom Arnold (percussion).

The Bamboo Band have appeared regularly at Richard Durrant's Airport Club and at Worthing's What the Dickens. A popular act for carnivals and festivals, they also make seasonal appearances -- with a night of calypso carols, for the Worthing Art Trail, proving popular in 2002.

Walking the tightrope between having a universal appeal and a cult following, The Bamboo Band are already looking at a full programme for 2003. To book them for your event click here!