Dom and The Ikos (1), Dom Pipkin

Piano virtuoso Dom Pipkin is one of Europe’s top exponents of New Orleans rhythm and blues. Pipkin breathes new life into the classic funk sounds of The Meters, Dr John, Fats Domino and Professor Longhair, with these influences emerging in his own irresistible songwriting. Pipkin delivers the most authentic and compelling take on this highly infectious and life affirming blend of blues, gospel, street and jazz that is uniquely New Orleans, with a stellar list of international festivals and radio and TV appearances and fans ranging from Jonathan Ross, Hugh Laurie, David Arnold, and Jamie Cullum.

Dom Pipkin was originally a member of Errol Linton's Blues Vibe, before splitting to form his own group Dom and The Ikos. His style developed out of a love of the New Orleans piano professors – Professor Longhair, James Booker, Dr John, Huey 'Piano' Smith, Jon Cleary as well as from a whole host of jazz and blues influences, such as Errol Garner and Otis Spann. His classical and sometimes rhapsodic influences are married with a tough approach to the blues and driving left hand rhythms. Dom and the Ikos takes the New Orleans influence and fleshes it out with drums, harmonies and wailing sax and has been resident at Ronnie Scott's London and around the RnB club scene where its reputation as a top level live act is second to none. 'I can't hold a candle to this guy. He's a great piano player' (Jamie Cullum, live on Radio 2).

Pipkin travels the world as the keyboard player with trip-hop pioneers Morcheeba, he was Musical Director for Paloma Faith, and has played for Paul Weller, Laura Mvula, Ray Davies, Pee Wee Ellis and John Newman to name a few, but has always kept a close connection to his second home, New Orleans. A regular visitor to the Crescent City for 15 years, he has performed at the Jazz and Heritage Festival, at the world famous New Orleans “Piano Night”, and alongside its musical legends Allen Toussaint, Lilian Boutte, Jon Cleary, Ellis Marsalis and Marcia Ball. He has supported Dr John, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and the Blind Boys of Alabama, and performed for film director Stanley Kubrik.

His piano skills have taken him all over America and Europe, New York City and San Francisco, to Barcelona, Stockholm and Rome. Pipkin headlined the UK Boogie Woogie festival in 2019 and is headlining the Steinway Piano Festival in London in 2020.