This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2007)

Bridgetown
—  City  â€”
Chamberlain Bridge spanning the Careenage, Bridgetown
Seal
Location of Bridgetown (red star)
Bridgetown Location on a map of Barbados parishes
Coordinates: 13°06′21″N 59°36′47″W / 13.10583°N 59.61306°W / 13.10583; -59.61306Coordinates: 13°06′21″N 59°36′47″W / 13.10583°N 59.61306°W / 13.10583; -59.61306[1]
Country	Barbados
Parish	Saint Michael
Established	1628
Area
• Total	15 sq mi (40 km2)
Elevation[2]	3 ft (1 m)
Population (2006)
• Total	96,578
• Density	6,400/sq mi (2,500/km2)
Time zone	Eastern Caribbean Time Zone (UTC-4)
Area code(s)	246

The city of Bridgetown ( /ˈbrɪdÊ’taÊŠn/), metropolitan pop 96,578 (2006), is the capital and largest city of the nation of Barbados. Formerly, the Town of Saint Michael, the Greater Bridgetown area is located within the parish of Saint Michael. Bridgetown is sometimes locally referred to as "The City", but the most common reference is simply "Town".

The Bridgetown port, found along Carlisle Bay (at 13°06′22″N 59°37′55″W / 13.106°N 59.632°W / 13.106; -59.632 (Bridgetown port)) lies on the southwestern coast of the island. Parts of the Greater Bridgetown area (as roughly defined by the Ring Road Bypass or more commonly known as the ABC Highway)^[3], sit close to the borders of the neighbouring parishes Christ Church and St. James. The Grantley Adams International Airport for Barbados, is located 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) southeast of Bridgetown city centre, and has daily flights to major cities in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and the Caribbean. While there is no longer local municipal government, it is governed as a political constituency within the national Parliament.

The present day location of the city was established by English settlers in 1628 following a prior settlement at St. James Town. Bridgetown is a major West Indies tourist destination, and the city acts as an important financial, informatics, convention centre, and cruise ship port of call in the Caribbean region. On 25 June 2011, Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison were added as a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.^[4][5][6]

History[link]

Although the island was totally abandoned or uninhabited when the British landed there, one of the few traces of indigenous pre-existence on the island was a primitive bridge constructed over the Careenage area's swamp at the centre of Bridgetown. It was suspected that this bridge was created by a people indigenous to the Caribbean known as the Tainos. Upon finding the structure the British settlers began to call what is now the Bridgetown area Indian Bridge. It is widely believed that the Tainos were driven from Barbados to the neighbouring island of Saint Lucia, during an invasion by another people indigenous to the region known as the Kalinagos. Eventually after 1654 when a new bridge was constructed over the Careenage by the British, the area became known as The Town of Saint Michael and later as Bridgetown, and the final name stuck.

Bridgetown is the only city outside continental North America that George Washington visited. (George Washington House, the actual house where he stayed, is now part of the Garrison Historic Area.) In 2011, historic buildings in Bridgetown were made a protected area of UNESCO.^[7]

Early settlement[link]

English settlement of Bridgetown began on 5 July 1628^[8] under Charles Wolverstone, who brought with him 64 settlers to these lands formally claimed by James Hay, the Earl of Carlisle. Wolverstone, had been dispatched by a group of London Merchants, headed by Sir Marmaduke Rawdon. The group had been granted a lease^[9] to 10,000 acres (40 km²) of land area by the Earl of Carlisle in settlement of debts. Each of the settlers with Wolverstone were granted by him 100 acres (0.40 km²) of land, lying on the northern side of the Careenage waterway for the purpose of general settlement.^[8] The southern shore on Needham's Point, were claimed by Carlisle's agents that coming October, and in 1631, many acres of land directly facing Carlisle Bay were passed to Henry Hawley, the new Governor. Reports of dishonest behaviour about this Governor led to his arrest and rendition to England in 1639. After investigation by Commission in 1640, it was found that much of Hawley's land transactions were legitimate and properly showed these lands (including the town site), as being attributed to the Earl of Carlisle. Bridgetown was built upon a street layout resembling early English Medieval or market towns with its narrow serpentine street and alley configuration.

Boundaries[link]

The earliest boundaries of Bridgetown are contained by way of an Act passed on 4 April 1660 called, "to prevent the danger which may happen by fire, in or about any of the seaport towns of the Island".^[8] The southern limit was declared to be the River (Careenage), whilst the western limit was declared to be the western boundary of St. Michael's (now St. Mary's) Churchyard, and extending in a direct line to the seaside. The town's other limits consisted of properties of certain citizens' names in this statute, the location of which cannot now be determined with certainty.^[8] The boundaries were not redefined until 1822.

From town to city[link]

In 1824 Barbados became the seat of the Anglican 'Diocese of Barbados and the Leeward Islands'. Due to this the Saint Michael's Parish Church became raised to the status of Cathedral, in so doing the elevation meant that thereafter Bridgetown would be conferred with city status. In 1842 Royal Letters Patent under which Barbados, Trinidad, Tobago, Grenada, Saint Vincent and Saint Lucia were split into separate diocese decreed that henceforth the Town of Bridgetown should be called the City of Bridgetown.

In December 1925 a committee sought to petition the King for a Royal Charter of Incorporation to devise local government in the city. The plan stated the desire for Bridgetown to be run by a Mayor, 8 Aldermen, 12 Common councillors, a Town Clerk, a Head-borough or Chef Constable, and such other officers as would be deemed necessary. It was proposed that the island's House of Assembly should seek to Incorporate the city instead of utilising Royal Charter.

It was not until 1958 when the Local Government Act was passed in Barbados. Within the act called for separate administration for the city. The act called for a Mayor, 6 City aldermen, and 12 City Councillors—of which 4 serve each of the 3 Wards in the City.

On 20 September 1960 a grant of Arms was conferred upon the City by the Royal College of Arms in London. The Armorial bearings for the City of Bridgetown were designed by the late Neville Connell, the then director of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society along with H.W. Ince the Honorary Secretary of the Society.

Local government in Barbados was established but not for long. In April 1967 the system of Local Government Councils was dissolved and replaced by an Interim Commissioner for Local Government. The Corporation of Bridgetown thus ceased to exist, and its records and paraphernalia were deposited in both the Government Department of Archives and Barbados Museum and Historical Society.^[10] Today Bridgetown and surrounding constituencies are administered by members of Barbadian parliament.

Geography and climate[link]

Suburbs of Bridgetown with Harbour in the background

Geography[link]

Astronaut View of Bridgetown

The city of Bridgetown, and the wider Greater Bridgetown area occupy most of the parish of Saint Michael, an area which covers around 39 km² (15 sq. mi). Bridgetown's centre was originally composed of a swamp, which was quickly drained and filled-in to make way for the city's early development.

At the heart of Bridgetown is the Careenage and Constitution River. This body of water provides the city with direct access from medium sized yachts or small craft boats. Although moderately shallow, the Careenage slices Bridgetown into two parts. During the rainy season the Constitution River flows into the Careenage area and acts as an outflow for water from the islands interior storm drainage network. Flowing into the Carlisle Bay on the southwest coast of the island, the Careenage can be observed as a marina for boaters entering or exiting the inner basin located directly in front of the Parliament buildings of Barbados.

Climate[link]

Bridgetown features a tropical wet and dry climate, with relatively constant temperatures throughout the course of the year. While fairly hot, Bridgetown is cooled somewhat by the trade winds that affect weather in Barbados in general. Bridgetown’s record high of 35 °C (95.4 °F) and record low of 16 °C (60.8 °F). Bridgetown features distinct wet and dry seasons, with a relatively lengthy wet season and a shorter dry season. Its wet season is from June through January, while the dry season covers the remaining months.

Amalgamation of the Governor with the Windward Islands[link]

From 1800 until 1885 Bridgetown served as the main seat of Government for the former British colonies of the Windward Islands. During this period the resident Governor of Barbados also served as the Colonial head of the Windward Islands. After the Government of Barbados officially exited from the Windward Island union in 1885, the seat was moved from Bridgetown to St. George's on the neighbouring island of Grenada.

Events[link]

Amongst the breathtaking landscapes, and the fresh look of the city; Barbados attracts many investors from various fields. The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup tournament attracted thousands of visitors to the island and was a very prosperous event. The final match was played on Saturday 28 April 2007.

The city[link]

Bridgetown Downtown

View from National Heroes Square, Bridgetown, Barbados, April 2007.jpg

In the centre lies the main street of Bridgetown which is Broad Street which runs directly through the centre of the city. Broad Street passes the Parliament Buildings and serves as the centre of city's shopping area.

Another major traffic artery into the city is Bay Street (which turns into Highway 7) and leads toward the South Coast of Barbados and the Parish of Christ Church. There are also other notable streets in Bridgetown, including:

• Swan Street – which is parallel to Broad Street, to the north.
• Roebuck Street – which leads towards Queens Park to the North, and East of Swan Street.

-and-

• Tudor Street – which comes from the north, intersects Swan Street and runs perpendicular to Broad Street.
• The Spring Garden Highway, which lies to the west of the city, plays host to over 85,000 bystanders and participants in the annual Grand Kadooment Carnival Parade.

A panorama of downtown Bridgetown, showing Chamberlain Bridge and Parliament Building

Neighbourhoods[link]

• Belleville
• Cat's Castle
• Cheapside
• Fontabelle
• Garden Land
• New Orleans
• Pinelands
• Strathclyde
• Weymouth
• Whitepark

Landmarks/points of interest[link]

• National Heroes Square (formerly Trafalgar Square) and Fountain Garden [1]

Parliament Building

Nelson Statue

• Independence Square and The Independence Arch
• The Montefiore Fountain
• Parliament Buildings of Barbados
• The Cathedral Church of Saint Michael and All Angels
• The St. Mary's Anglican Church
• The St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral
• The Jewish Synagogue
• The Pelican Village and Craft Centre
• Queen's Park
• The Lord Nelson Statue
• The Barbados Museum
• Kensington Oval (site of the 2007 Cricket World Cup final)
• Carlisle Bay Beach
• Cheapside market
• The Tom Adams Financial Complex
• The Frank Collymore Hall of the Performing Arts
• The Cathedral Plaza
• The Cave Shepherd Department Store (No.10 Broad Street)
• The Mutual Building (lower Broad Street)
• The Cheapside Gardens
• Sagicor Plaza
• The Garrison Savannah and National Historic Area
• The Hilton Hotel
• Martineau House

Attractions[link]

• Pierhead Development Complex

Minibuses from the center also pass nearby, but only leave from the northern (market) bus terminal, thus a cab might make more sense.

Harbour[link]

The Bridgetown Port (or "Deep Water Harbour" as its also known) is the major port of entry for cruise and cargo ships docking in Barbados. The Deep Water Harbour lies a short distance across Carlisle Bay northwest of the Careenage Canal. Found along the Princess Alice Highway, and west of the city's centre around Fontabelle.

The Harbour port acts as one of the major shipping and transhipment hubs from international locations for the entire Eastern Caribbean. Recently the Bridgetown Port was dredged to allow safe access and berthing for the new league of "super cruise ships". The dredging project was completed in 2002 and the city can now host many of the largest cruise ships in the world.

The port of Bridgetown also handles goods for the domestic needs of the island. The island's main exports of mainly agricultural products also make use of the harbour facilities.

Bridgetown also has a smaller canal in the centre of the city, named the Careenage, a.k.a. "Constitution River". The Constitution River should not be confused with the Deep Water Harbour. The smaller Constitution River feeding into the west coast lies about a half kilometre south of the large harbour. The Careenage is just large enough for pleasure craft or fishing boats and has two main bridges near the city center which span the shallow Careenage.

Society and culture[link]

Colourful Bridgetown street

Bridgetown serves as a principal centre of commercial activity in Barbados, as well as a central hub for the island's public transport system. Many of the ministries and departments of the island's government are located within the Greater Bridgetown area. The Public Buildings or parliament, which stand at the heart of the city directly north of Heroes Square, house the third oldest continuous parliament in the British Commonwealth. Indeed, at one point in the city's early history, Bridgetown was the most important city of all British possessions in the New World due to the city's easterly location in the Caribbean region.

The iconic Barbados Mutual Life Assurance Society building from Broad Street.

For a city of its size, the Greater Bridgetown area is home to several prestigious educational institutions. The city serves as the seat of one of the three campuses of the University of the West Indies in the northern suburb of Cave Hill. The campus sits on a bluff offering a spectacular view of Bridgetown and its port. The Barbados Community College is located three miles (5 km) east of the Central Business District in a suburb known as "The Ivy", while the sprawling campus of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic is located just beyond the eastern limits of the city in a suburb known as "The Pine". In addition, the city houses such distinguished secondary schools as Harrison College, Combermere and The St. Michael School.

The City of Bridgetown also played host to the 1994 United Nations Global Conference on Sustainable Development of Small Islands States. Bridgetown has branches of some of the largest banks in the world and English-speaking Caribbean and is internationally recognised as an emerging financial domicile. The city underwent considerable redevelopment in preparation for the 2007 World Cricket Cup Finals held at the historic Kensington Oval . The stadium was renovated to a state-of-the-art sports facility accommodating 30,000 spectators. Live viewership for the 2007 event was estimated to be in the region of two billion people.

Utilities and local services[link]

Today Bridgetown is a fully modern and thriving city, with access to many modern services including a piped water supply (said to be naturally among the purest in the world), electricity, natural gas supply, cutting-edge telecommunications, wireless services, internet cafes, and a good overall infrastructure. The city is also served by an impressive conference facility known as the Sherbourne Conference Centre.

• Electricity – Barbados Light and Power Company Ltd. (BL&P)
• Natural Gas – National Petroleum Corporation
• Water – Barbados Water Authority (BWA)

• Telecommunications – LIME(Incumbent), Cariaccess Communications, Digicel, FreeMotion, Sunbeach, TeleBarbados, WIISCOM
• Television – CBC TV 8, Multi-Choice TV (Barbados), DirecTV
• Radio – List of radio stations in Barbados
• Barbadian media

Economy[link]

Barbados' main exports are Sugar, rum, and molasses. The island is also involved in other industries namely tourism and the offshore sector.

The airline REDjet has its head office at Grantley Adams International Airport in Christ Church,^[12] near Bridgetown.^[13]

Stock exchange[link]

• Barbados Stock Exchange (BSE)

The City of Bridgetown also has a well regulated stock exchange with securities of Barbadian and regional Caribbean companies.

Business/specifics[link]

Business: Banks are open 8 am–3pm, Hours: Monday to Thursday, and 8 am–5pm on Fridays.

The main banks are:

• Barclays Bank (see FirstCaribbean International Bank),
• Bank of Nova Scotia,
• Barbados National Bank,
• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) (see FirstCaribbean International Bank),
• RBTT Bank and
• Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)

Automatic Teller Machines are available.

Shops are open:

• 8am–6pm weekdays and
• 8am–noon Saturdays.

Payment cards are widely accepted.

Electricity: 115 volts AC, 50 cycles. Most hotels have 220 AC.

Telecommunications: the international dialling code for Barbados is 1–246 followed by seven digits. On the island, use the seven digits alone. When on the island, to call anywhere in the United States or Canada simply dial 1+ (area code) + seven digit phone number.

Emergency Numbers: Police: 211 (emergency only) Fire: 311 Ambulance: 511 Coast Guard and Defense Force: (246) 427-8819

Time: GMT-4

Transportation[link]

The city has access to daily flights via the island's Airport the Sir Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) located on the ABC Highway/Highway 7 in Seawell, Christ Church. The city of Bridgetown and New York City in the United States, were the only cities in the western hemisphere to be served by regularly scheduled British Airways Concorde flights. Additionally, the GAIA has been chosen as one of only four global display sites for the retired supersonic aircraft. The Airport is currently in the final stages of an expansion project, which will also include the construction of an aviation museum to house the retired Concorde aircraft.

All seven of Barbados's primary Highways begin close to the City of Bridgetown, in the Parish of Saint Michael. They all fan out to the north, south and east to other parts of the island. Driving is done of the left-hand side of the road with a speed limit of 60 km/h (37 mph) in built-up areas. The speed limit on the ABC Highway is generally 80 km/h (50 mph) except in built-up areas. Water transport is regulated by the Barbados Port Authority.

Public buses[link]

Public buses that head northward to destinations such as Holetown and Speightstown, and to some locations in St. Michael including the University of the West Indies – (Cave Hill Campus), leave from the Princess Alice Bus Terminal which lies to the west of the city centre. Buses for points east and south leave from the Fairchild Street Bus Terminal, which is on the eastern edge of the city centre, near to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).

Route taxis[link]

Route taxis are privately owned mini vans that are a cross between taxis and buses.

Re-development[link]

• In 2004 the capital of Bridgetown celebrated its 375th Anniversary of Establishment, and did so with a year long calendar of events and twinning agreements with Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, Canada, and with Wilmington in North Carolina, United States.
• The City of Bridgetown to be revamped (Tuesday, 30 May 2006) – Barbados Advocate Newspaper

Diplomatic missions in Barbados[link]

Twin and Sister cities[link]

Bridgetown is twinned or is a sister city with the following cities:

• – Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, Canada (July, 2004 twinning)
• – Borough of Hackney, London, England, UK
• – Wilmington, North Carolina, USA (28 June 2004)

See also[link]

• Demographics of Barbados
• List of cities in Barbados
• List of cities in the Caribbean
• Parishes of Barbados
• Transportation in Barbados

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bridgetown

• World Heritage Sites in Barbados, UNESCO
• Barbados' UNESCO World Heritage application
• Historical info of Bridgetown – Barbados postal service
• Deep Water Harbour Port
• Bridgetown Cruise Terminals
• Map overview of Bridgetown
• Aerial view over Bridgetown's centre
• Detailed map of Bridgetown
• Map showing area designated as Historic Bridgetown and the Garrison, UNESCO
• The Tramways of Bridgetown, Barbados
• The Importance of Bridgetown in the New world – The UNESCO World Heritage Centre website
• Historic Bridgetown and Its Garrison on Facebook

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (May 2011)

Kyla Brox (born 3 June 1980, Stockport, Greater Manchester, England) is a blues and soul singer from a musical family.

Family and Childhood[link]

Her father is a blues singer of note, Victor Brox - Caiaphas in the original cast recording of Jesus Christ Superstar, amongst other things - and her mother is Annette Brox, the 'maid by the fire' in the original Jesus Christ Superstar.

She has four other siblings, Ginie (b.1965), Anna (b.1966), Buffy (b.1971) and Sam (b.1976). All are gifted singers, but only the youngest two have gone onto professional careers as musicians. Perhaps significantly, Sam - singer with Dust Junkys - and Kyla were spared their elder sisters’ experience of growing up in the back of a touring van under a haze of cannabis smoke. She traces her interest in singing from the age of three, partly from a desire to be closer to her charismatic but distant dad. Upon Victor and Annette’s divorce, Kyla was brought up by Annette and her stepfather Laurie in Didsbury, Manchester.

Keen to encourage his daughter’s musical talents, Victor gave Kyla various instruments as a child, although these were apt to be taken back and sold when times were hard. But the flute remained, and features in live shows to this day. A rare instrument in blues music, Kyla's flute adds a cool counterpart to her fiery voice.

Kyla married long-time life and music partner Danny Blomeley in September, 2008, and is the mother of Sadie (b. 13 June 2009).

Career[link]

Kyla joined the family business in 1992, singing with Victor onstage at famed Manchester venue Band on the Wall at the age of 12. She joined his regular touring group the following year. The core of the Kyla Brox Band go back to this remarkable unit, nominally the Victor Brox Blues Train, but known informally as 'the child slavery band' because of the extreme youth of the players. As well as Kyla (13, but could pass for 21), the group contained bassist Danny Blomeley (13, but could pass for eight), and drummer Phil Considine (19).

Prolonged stays at Victor's house in France from the age of 16 saw the growth and development of Kyla’s art. Then, in 2000, she accompanied her father on an extensive tour of Australia. Danny Blomeley had left the Blues Train two years earlier to travel the world, and promised to find Victor some dates in Australia. And so it was that Kyla, just turned 20, found herself singing risque blues songs to hard men in mining camps in remote parts of the Australian outback. This trip was the making of today’s self-assured soul belle. The Victor Brox Blues Train, with Kyla, made a return visit Australia the following year.

Back in Manchester in 2001, Kyla and Danny formed a duo, occasionally augmented by old members of ‘the child slavery band’, and the line-up finally settled into the Kyla Brox Band - Kyla Brox (vocals, flute); Marshall Gill (guitar); Tony Marshall (saxophones); Danny Blomeley (bass) and Phil Considine (drums). The Kyla Brox Band started playing in North West pubs and clubs: the circuit that had once been the stomping ground of the Victor Brox Blues Train. A career-making performance at Colne Blues Festival in 2002 established Kyla's reputation as the first lady of the British blues.

Consolidating their international fan-base, the Kyla Brox Band toured Australia in 2003, 2004 and (twice) 2007. The Kyla Brox Band made their US debut in 2007.

Discography[link]

Solo Discography[link]

• 2003 - Window (private release)
• 2003 - Beware (private release)
• 2004 - Coming Home (as Kyla Brox Band, Pigskin CD02)
• 2006 - Live at Matt and Phred’s (as Kyla Brox Band) (private release)
• 2007 - Gone (Pigskin, PIGCD01)
• 2009 - Grey Sky Blue (Pigskin, PIGCD03)

With Victor Brox[link]

• 1998 - Kyla Jane & Victor With The Brox Gang
• 2000 - Darwin Night Train, as Victor Brox Blues Train
• 2001 - Belly Shiver (Bridgetown Blues), credited as Victor and Kyla Brox
• 2009 - Frog in Mah Pocket!, credited to Victor ‘Pur & Dur’ & Kyla ‘Raving Jane’ Brox)

Discography analysis[link]

Solo Discography[link]

• Kyla Brox - Window (2003). Solo debut, takes its cue from the lo-fi aesthetic of Victor's latter-day albums, gathering home recordings with a smattering of live tracks . A balance is struck between the originals - where the tone is romantic and tender - and songs in the risque blues tradition from the perspective of a much older woman. Arrangements are stripped down to Danny Blomeley's guitar, Tony Marshall's saxophone and, used sparingly, Kyla's flute.

• Kyla Brox - Beware (2003). A showcase for Kyla the soul belle. This is the Kyla who knocked them dead at Colne Blues Festival in 2002. Kyla tips her hat to Ann Peebles (Beware), Etta James (I Just Want to Make Love to You), Betty Lavette (Damn Your Eyes), and Brox Snr (Sick and Tired).

• Kyla Brox Band - Coming Home (2004). Self-evidently the product of an active working band, this displays the collective at its height. Constant gigging had honed the tight grooves and musical interaction. Twelve out of the 14 selections are Kyla co-writes or come from immediate family members. Victor is represented by Working On Your Love. Brother Sam is producer. The raunch is concentrated on one song - Do I Move You, a smouldering Nina Simone number. The other cover is Don't Change Horses, from the repertoire of seventies California funksters Tower of Power, which mixes real emotion (a plea for a second chance) with outrageous showmanship ("Giddy up, hi ho Silver…") and remains a certified show-stopper to this day.

• Kyla Brox Band - Live at Matt and Phred's (2006). Recorded live in Manchester, UK, on 11 March 2006, this captures the Kyla Brox Band in their prime. The rough and ready sound, complete with electrical hum and audience noise (unavoidable with a weekend crowd at Matt and Phred's) actually add authenticity. The rousing spirit - the songs are lived-in and feel comfortable - makes up for any deficiency in fidelity.

• Kyla Brox - Gone (2007). First album entire of Brox/Blomeley originals, with the exception of a sole Kyla Brox credit (see below). When guitarist Marshall Gill was recruited by New Model Army, the Kyla Brox Band ceased to be a regular working unit. This is effectively Kyla and Danny's record, with old band members guesting on assorted tracks. Although Kyla was never averse to putting her feelings on the line - the stock-in-trade of any self-respecting soul singer - the songs have become much more autobiographical. The title track is a moving testament to loss. The self-penned You Said You'd Be My Sunshine, the album’s final track, finds Kyla singing a cappella, whipping up a maelstrom of passion about a commitment-shy lover: "five long years, no ring and no change,â€? she rages. It had the desired effect. Shortly after the recording, Danny proposed marriage to Kyla.

• Kyla Brox - Grey Sky Blue (2009). The acoustic backdrop - just Brox and Blomeley with guests - gives full rein to Danny’s inventive, by turns delicate and unrestrained, virtuoso guitar. Goose-pimples are roused on the first track, All Breaking Down, and keep on coming. Her blues fans are placated with Get Ready and Shaken & Stirred, but songs like Kasbah and Like The Sky refer directly to solo debut Window, Kyla’s first acoustic album, but with added experience and superior technical resources. And here's an answer song: "Remember when you said you'd be my sunshine / And I cried / Because I thought it would never be my time / Well I was wrong / You came through / And turned my grey sky blue." The album was recorded when Kyla was pregnant with Sadie. It feels like both a summation and a fresh start.

With Victor Brox[link]

• Kyla Jane & Victor With The Brox Gang (1998). Kyla’s first official recordings. Sings solo on Gimme One Reason, Sick and Tired, Double Lovin’, Troubles Trouble and duets with Victor on Stop Breaking Down and Jesus On The Mainline.

• Victor Brox Blues Train - Darwin Night Train (2000). A professional recording made live at Darwin Festival by ABC Radio on the first Australian tour. Kyla’s solo features are Trouble in Mind, Big Boss Man, Double Lovin’, Girlfriend, The Painter and Don’t Fail Me Baby. She duets with Victor on Jesus On The Mainline.

• Victor and Kyla Brox - Belly Shiver (Bridgetown Blues) (2001). Kyla sings solo on Hey Bartender, Troubles Trouble, Gimme One Reason, Baby Get Lost, Steal Away, Baby I Love You, Reconsider Baby and Warning.

• Victor ‘Pur & Dur’ & Kyla ‘Raving Jane’ Brox - Frog in Mah Pocket! (2009). A ragbag of early recordings, some made when Kyla was just 13, made, without Kyla’s permission, for sale at gigs by Victor. She sings Breaking Up Somebody's Home, Backwater Blues and Steal Away.

Quotes[link]

"Her breathing control is superb but, more than this… Kyla's vocal is natural and very clean… with a depth of feeling…" - Blues Matters

"An authentic soul diva… sensitive, sexy, and with infinite reserves of sassiness" - City Life

"A classic sound pulled off with finesse… classy, impressive…" - Oldham Chronicle

"Great voice, great presence, great songs, great band…" - Leicester Mercury

References[link]

Gig review in the specialist blues magazine Blues Matters

Kyla Brox bio for Big Wheel Music Festival

Kyla Brox bio

Article in Oldham Evening Chronicle

'The Kyla Brox Band' by Mike Butler. Metro, 11 January 2007.

'Kyla Brox Band' by Mike Butler. Jazz & Blues Section, City Life, May, 2002.

External links[link]

• Kyla Brox bio
• Kyla Brox webpage
• Kyla Brox review by jazz journalist Mike Butler