The Early Years & Structural Origins
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The Gower:
The club officially held its inaugural night on the 16th October, 1996.
The running of the club was initially a partnership between Colin Broadbent and Mike Beavan, followed by many years with Rory Fegan and ably assisted by Thomas Clode when the club successfully put on Friday night Blues at Café Jazz.
The club was built on regional networking and aimed to provide a venue where local musicians could play Blues and Rhythm and Blues.
The club famously built its early crowd through local mainstays like the Gower Hotel.
The format established in those early years remains exactly the same, an open-access "musicians hub" where the house band provides the backline equipment so that amateur local players can confidently step up and play alongside veterans..
Migratory Venue History: In its foundational years and subsequent decades, the club didn't stay in one static location; it migrated across several local community spaces to keep the blues scene alive before settling into its current location at Cardiff Theatre Café (St. Andrew's Church Hall)
With the move to Cardiff Theatre Cafe (at the request of Wyburne and Wayne) The club has metaphorically risen from the ashes and gone from strength to strength which would not have been possible without the expertise and commitment of Alan Mann re, sound, lighting and stage management. There has also been a huge commitment from the regular members and of course there has to be mention of the hostess with the mostest Jayne Hicks
Colin Broadbent
Colin has been an indispensable pillar of the Blues Dragon Rhythm and Blues Club.
A multi-talented musician and singer/harmonica player, he wears many hats for the organization, serving both as an on-stage performer and as an essential behind-the-scenes administrator and organiser. He can often be found behind the bar too.
Musical Background: Originally from Bristol, Colin grew up immersed in the soul, rhythm and blues, and 1970s Northern Soul music scenes. After moving to Cardiff in 1980, his passion for the genre naturally led him to founding the club.
Leadership and Operations: Colin acts as a primary operator of the club. He handles the logistical heavier lifting—from setting up the physical gear and managing schedule updates to keeping the club functional through venue disruptions such as navigating a recent lengthy 8-month roof closure at the Cardiff Theatre Café in 2026
Broader Community Work: Colin's influence stretches across the wider Cardiff music community. Alongside running the club, he co-organises events like the Roath Blues Festival and leverages his deep music roots as a longtime radio host on Radio Cardiff, presenting soul music showcases.
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