Jack-Austin Despy Blues Band
Jack-Austin Despy Blues Band
UK Blues Federation Finalist for Young Blues Artist of the Year – 16 year old JACK-AUSTIN DESPY is a talented young rising guitar player with a passion for Blues. Jack-Austin and his band deliver a performance that leaves audiences wanting more. His music is a blend of traditional blues with a modern twist, plus his own original material, which has captivated the hearts of music lovers everywhere. In the last few months the band have played at the Rhythm & Blues Festival, Ballyshannon, Blues Rhythm & Rock Festival Blackpool, Broadstairs Blues Bash and London's legendary 100 Club. His influences include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Moore, Jimi Hendrix, Rory Gallagher, Robert Cray, BB King, Albert King and Zac Schulze. In a recent review from the Riverside Rhythm Club, reviewer Phil Honley said, “This guy has a big future ahead of him”.
Jack began his musical journey at the tender age of six when he wanted to learn to play harmonica. He quickly progressed to guitar and by the age of nine was jamming with veteran musicians. At the age of thirteen he played at the Rory Gallagher Festival UK in Nantwich where he amazed the audience with his skills on stage with Barry Barnes, Bri Chambers and Jonny Brutal.
In 2022 he was invited back to Nantwich to open the festival. Blues Magazine in Netherlands had this to say: “At half past six the festival kicked off with the 14 year old guitar prodigy Jack Austin Despy, supported by a rhythm section that sounds familiar to Rory fans, Dave Burns (Tony Dowlers Hellhounds) on bass and Jonny Brutal (Sinnerboy) on drums. All known Rory hits were played. Playing flawlessly, the audience present embraced this young man. (Wijk aan Zee take advantage of this and get this boy to the Netherlands). Steve “Rory” Web would later say, ‘this kid is the future’.
2024 has proved to be a pivotal year. Jack began gigging regularly at pubs and clubs and many of them rebooking him several times throughout the year. Jack’s first “ticketed” event was a sell-out when the band played in Hatfield Peverel Village Hall.
He was fortunate to be invited to play at the birthplace of one of his guitar heroes at the Ballyshannon Rhythm and Blues Festival in October 2024. This was a fabulous experience and the people were so welcoming and appreciative – following him from gig to gig.
In December his band were invited to play at Tuesday Blues 100 Club in Oxford Street, London (supporting Big Dez – international touring star from France) – definitely an iconic venue and a great crowd. At the end of the evening, Big Dez jumped off the stage in the middle of his final song and handed Jack his vintage guitar to finish the night.
2025 began with a trip to the famous Blackpool Winter Gardens where Jack and his band played on the Introducing Stage at the UK Blues Rhythm and Rock Festival. The set was mostly made up from new original songs.
Jack is honoured to have been nominated for two awards by the UK Blues Federation and in the final Top 5 for the category “Jules Fothergill Young Blues Artist of the Year”, and in the final for “UK Blues Emerging Act of the Year”.
Over the years Jack has gravitated towards Fender amps and uses a Blues Junior, Blues Deluxe, De Ville Deluxe and a Deluxe Reverb . He also favours Fender Stratocasters over other guitars and all his guitars are customised to suit his particular style and tone. Jack uses a combination of Tube Screamer and Klon clone pedals. Jack is also now an endorser of DR Strings – Handmade Pure Blues.
Jack began his musical journey at the tender age of six when he wanted to learn to play harmonica. He quickly progressed to guitar and by the age of nine was jamming with veteran musicians. At the age of thirteen he played at the Rory Gallagher Festival UK in Nantwich where he amazed the audience with his skills on stage with Barry Barnes, Bri Chambers and Jonny Brutal.
In 2022 he was invited back to Nantwich to open the festival. Blues Magazine in Netherlands had this to say: “At half past six the festival kicked off with the 14 year old guitar prodigy Jack Austin Despy, supported by a rhythm section that sounds familiar to Rory fans, Dave Burns (Tony Dowlers Hellhounds) on bass and Jonny Brutal (Sinnerboy) on drums. All known Rory hits were played. Playing flawlessly, the audience present embraced this young man. (Wijk aan Zee take advantage of this and get this boy to the Netherlands). Steve “Rory” Web would later say, ‘this kid is the future’.
2024 has proved to be a pivotal year. Jack began gigging regularly at pubs and clubs and many of them rebooking him several times throughout the year. Jack’s first “ticketed” event was a sell-out when the band played in Hatfield Peverel Village Hall.
He was fortunate to be invited to play at the birthplace of one of his guitar heroes at the Ballyshannon Rhythm and Blues Festival in October 2024. This was a fabulous experience and the people were so welcoming and appreciative – following him from gig to gig.
In December his band were invited to play at Tuesday Blues 100 Club in Oxford Street, London (supporting Big Dez – international touring star from France) – definitely an iconic venue and a great crowd. At the end of the evening, Big Dez jumped off the stage in the middle of his final song and handed Jack his vintage guitar to finish the night.
2025 began with a trip to the famous Blackpool Winter Gardens where Jack and his band played on the Introducing Stage at the UK Blues Rhythm and Rock Festival. The set was mostly made up from new original songs.
Jack is honoured to have been nominated for two awards by the UK Blues Federation and in the final Top 5 for the category “Jules Fothergill Young Blues Artist of the Year”, and in the final for “UK Blues Emerging Act of the Year”.
Over the years Jack has gravitated towards Fender amps and uses a Blues Junior, Blues Deluxe, De Ville Deluxe and a Deluxe Reverb . He also favours Fender Stratocasters over other guitars and all his guitars are customised to suit his particular style and tone. Jack uses a combination of Tube Screamer and Klon clone pedals. Jack is also now an endorser of DR Strings – Handmade Pure Blues.
Tropic At Ruislip
All information offered here is done so in good faith. Tropic at Ruislip is not responsible for the accuracy of any band or the exact line up or show/set that might happen on the night. Every effort will be made to describe shows accuratly but sometimes bands, or their sets, change at short notice.