blues @ temperance | Aisha Khan and the Rajahs

Aisha Khan sings American roots music, Jazz, Blues and Rhythm & Blues of the 1940’s/50’s. With a nod to the glamour and sophistication of a bygone era and over 30 years of experience, coupled with an unrivalled passion for the music, she combines outstanding original material with powerful cover versions and performs them all with class, soul, talent and wit. Equal Parts sultry Jazz chanteuse and Rhythm and Blues belter, Aisha easily communicates heartbreak, joy and a range of emotions in between, continuing to honour the tradition of the true Divas.

Aisha’s earliest influences incorporated everything from Elvis and Sarah Vaughan to Billy Bragg and Northern Soul. Naturally drawn to London’s incendiary Rockabilly club scene, she felt the irresistible pull of black American Rhythm & Blues as a call to action, setting up her first band Tiger Lily and the Jitterbugs, with which she performed throughout the UK and Europe for several years at Jazz, Blues and Rock & Roll festivals, clubs and events. She also performed at many private events, including supporting Dame Shirley Bassey before the then Prince Charles at Highgrove. Subsequently, she was the first vocalist with the 10 piece big band, Blue Harlem performing Swing and Jump Jive. She has sung with Richard Berry, Robert Gordon, James Hunter and Mike Sanchez, amongst others.

Her band The Rajahs comprises of some of the cream of the UK’s Blues musicians including featuring Al Nicholls (Blue Harlem, Sister Suzie, the Big Six, the Big Town Playboys) on sax, Mal Barclay (The Cadillac Kings, Katie Bradley, Oo-Bop-Sh,Bam) on guitar, Matt Radford (Nick Lowe, Tanita Tikaram, Big Joe Louis) on Bass, Danny Howard (King Kurt, The Mamboleros, the Savage Hornets) on drums and Jenny Carr on piano (Jason Donovan, Barb Jungr, Imelda May, Billy Ocean).

Her first album, Aishaddiction, on El Toro records, featured 13 exceptional self-penned tracks ranging from Rhythm & Blues and Rock & Roll to Calypso and the next album, out now on Folc Records is an ambitious project; an album of duets with some of the best contemporary Roots music performers in the UK and US today. This incredible album includes mostly original songs duetting with, among others, Big Sandy, Ray Gelato, Big Joe Louis, Carl Sonny Leyland, Paul-Ronney Angel and more. The Magnificent Twelve was released on vinyl in May 2024 and will be released on CD also at the end of the year.

Aisha Khan & The Rajahs will also be releasing another new album titled Seven Shades of Blue in March 2025.

She completed a three week tour of Australia (March 2024) and performed sell out shows in London and the UK including Ronnie Scott’s, Crazy Coqs and the Frisking the Whiskers festival. As well as gigging in England and Europe she has toured in Spain twice, once with her own band and again with legendary pianist Lluis Coloma. She has also been involved in promoting regular live Roots music night, Malted Shake and other events. Recent solo performances include events with Pat Reyford’s Lucky Strikes at the Rhythm Riot, the Aisha Khan R&B Revue, Blue Harlem, Cherry Casino & the Gamblers, Robert Gordon and the Barcelona Big Blues Band with Paul Ansell at Screamin’ Festival. Next year includes Headlining the final night of the Tenby Blues Festival, Performing at Europe’s best Rock & Roll Festival The Rockin’ Race Jamboree and a tour of Spain.

“…Aisha Khan ascended to the stage and began her more than particular show. In that environment, almost alone, she is able to recreate for the audience an American club from those crazy Forties and Fifties, with songs like the album’s title track, ‘Aishaddiction’...[it was] a night that ended with ‘Make a Grown Woman Cry’, where the magic of a Diva, an authentic heroine enraptured and practically destroyed the audience that filled the Rocksound room.” (Dirty Rock Magazine).

“There are nights that promise much but your high expectations can ruin your aspirations. It was not the case with this great lady, as she only had to appear on stage to earn the respect of the room…This woman could compete in glamour with the great Divas of classic Hollywood and has a very versatile voice that allows you to experience different styles . Country. Rock & Roll, Jazz and Rhythm & Blues are the main ingredients of her musical menu…No doubt Aisha offers one of the best shows of the genre that can be attended today. It will not take long to compete with established artists like Imelda May. Come back soon Aisha, in Barcelona we adore you.” (La Hormigonerarock.com)

“Aisha was and is like ‘Gilda’…radiating glamour, exuding femininity, talent, beauty, tenderness, voice and attitude. She’s…without doubt, one of the best kept secrets of the United Kingdom.” (El Ritual Nocturno Radio Show).