BY JOHN McCUSKER

THEY'VE supported blues greats like B B King and the late James Brown and performed at festivals from
Monaghan to Montreal. And this weekend local fans will have the chance to judge for themselves when the International Blues Band play the Top of the Town in Omagh on
Friday night.

Formed in the International Bar in Dublin in 1986, the six-piece outfit – complete with brass section – covers a vast repertoire of standard blues numbers coupled with a
selection of their own material. As well as residencies at some of Dublin's recognised blues venues, the band has also
appeared regularly on RTE shows such as Nighthawks, Live at 3 and the Kenny Live Show. Their demo CD was featured as Record of the Week on Dublin's FM104 and they were also featured on the French documentary about Dublin entitled Villes du Monde.

Fronted by founder and vocalist Peter Moore, the band is widely recognised as one of the premier blues outfits currently playing in Ireland. A diverse and charismatic performer, Peter plays everything from trad to blues, giving his all at every performance. A thoughtful and insightful blues writer, he incorporates his own personal life experiences into his songwriting.

Saxophonist Richie Buckley is regarded as an institution on the Irish jazz and blues scene. The Dubliner has worked with a who's who in the field including the likes of Van Morrison, John Lee Hooker, Bob Dylan, Georgie Fame, Carlos Santana and Mary Coughlan. Richie also composed the film score for the film The General.

Accompanying him in the brass section will be trombone player Sean Hearns. Also a founder member of the band, Sean has worked with Shirley Bassey and Kenny Rogers as well as performing with the RTE Symphony and Concert Orchestra, the Irish Chamber Orchestra and the All-Ireland Big Band. Other notches on the CV include contributions to Les Miserables and Barnum at the Point Depot.

On guitar comes poet and musician John Reynolds. From Crumlin in Dublin, he performs with agritty and in-your-face style reminiscent of the late Rory Gallagher.

All-rounder Ronnie O'Flynn can turn his hand to piano, drums or bass as the occasion arises and his bass playing is regarded as the nucleus of the band's rhythm section. From Monaghan, Ronnie has also toured with Donal Lunny.

Completing the band is drummer Stephen Hogan,an energetic and inspirational performer who has also been involved with the Riverdance show in the past.

Playing support on the night will be Omagh's Maeve
Dunphy, who has previously performed with the International Blues Band, accompanied on this occasion by Jerome McGlynn on guitar.

* The International Blues Band perform in the Top of the Town in Omagh on Friday night, April 20