About

Cooking up a hot gumbo of New Orleans R&B, Tim Penn and The Second Line will take you on a magical journey through the music of the American Deep South.

 

The band draw inspiration from the deep heritage of music from the Crescent City. Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Dr John, Allen Toussaint, The Meters are names that conjure up an image of a time when Jazz and Blues became the soundtrack to twentieth century America.

 

No simple “covers” band, The Second Line breathe new life into the music, and mix it up further by incorporating a pinch of Ray Charles, a growl of Tom Waits and Tim’s own songs. This recipe has led to a string of sold out shows in London at top club venues such as Ronnie Scott’s Bar, Pizza Express and The Green Note.

 

Local Teddington musician, Tim Penn is one of the most in demand pianists on the London roots, songwriter & blues scenes. As well as leading his own band, he also plays piano with The Cadillac Kings (“The U.K.’s finest purveyors of blues & swing” Blues in Britain Magazine), who played a sold-out show at The Landmark in July 2023.

 

Back in the 1970s, Tim was a member of Twickenham legend Dorris Henderson’s Eclection and then joined the Kevin Coyne band alongside Andy Summers (The Police) and Gordon Smith (described by John Peel as ” the foremost white Blues guitarist in the world “ ). In 2013, he decided to form The Second Line to play the music he loves the most. The line-up consists of Nigel Appleton on drums (The Guvnor’s, Regenesis), Francis Booth on bass, Ayo Odia from Nigeria (Fela Kuti, Osibisa) adding a touch of afro-beat sax into the mix, and Chris Proctor, a local jam scene legend, on guitar.

 

In Tim’s own words: “This is the blues, but with a great big smile on its face”.

 

“Scintillating piano-based artistry” Blues In The North West.

 

“These guys are amazing!! Their popularity and presence grow with each gig they do for us. Not surprising with the exceptional level of talent, commitment and all round positive energy they bring to every performance” The Ram Jam Club at The Grey Horse, Kingston

 

“Right from the outset, the album sounds like it was recorded at a different time, sometime in the past when music was music.” Dale Storr, reviewing “It Is What It Is, We Are What We Are” – the band’s self-produced CD.