A band whose members have played with many of the top stars including Queen will appear at Otley Courthouse on Saturday, April 5 at 8pm.

The Medicine Men combine folk/blues tradition and the freedom of jazz the band has a history that features some of the greats of the music scene - and have been asked back to headline by popular demand.

CJ Smith (vocals, keyboards, guitar), attended Ealing Art College in the late 60s with fellow students Tim Staffel and Freddie Bulsara (later Freddie Mercury). When Tim's band 1984 broke up Tim and his guitarist, Brian May, joined CJ to form the band Smile and Queen's Roger Taylor became their drummer.

CJ started writing songs with Freddie and subsequently songwriting has become a lifelong obsession.

CJ and Richard Bostock (double bass and saxophone) first played together in the Zephyrs in the 70s.

Andy Moss, the drummer, first played with CJ in 1971. He was a member of The Lady Killers in 1965.

Two special guests join the band for this gig. Paul Buckley flies over from Donegal to join them on guitar and vocals. Paul is a former member of the 4 Horsemen.

Brian Ellison makes a welcome return to his home area. The former Prince Henry's GS student and CJ started out in school bands and in 1966 formed Ellison's Hogline, playing soul music.

Since then Brian has travelled the world as a professional saxophone player with such luminaries as Van Morrison, Georgie Fame, Jules Holland and Sister Sledge. Brian also led his own band Power of Soul.

Tickets: £9/£7 in advance, £10/£8 on the door. Box Office 01943 467466.