Alison Penney Band
Alison is a piano player, vocalist and writer of considerable regard and her experience in the blues is extensive. "She gotta lotta soul" says Andrew Junior Boy Jones. Between her bands: Ali Penney and The Money Makers, Chris Mawer Band, The Vibrolators, Wild Rice, Drybones, The Midnight Ramblers, she has opened for an impressive list of legends including Johnnie Johnson, Chris Cain, Lucinda Williams, Cephas And Wiggins, The Tailgaitors and Chris Wilson. She is a professional musician and has been performing, recording, and composing music in bands for over 15 years. These bands also include The Hippos, Fiona Boyes, Lil' Fi, Wayne Jury and Alison Penney Duo, Supro as well as international acts such as Andrew Jones (Freddy King’s guitarist) and Kid Bangham (Fabulous Thunderbirds), Lloyd Jones and Todd Sharpville. She has also recorded with Fiona Boyes. She is also in Vhoom Schwing With Sweet Felicia, Janet Levy and Roscoe Clarke. Lately she has had the great fortune of playing in Chris Mawer's Band. Last year she recorded with those West Coast hipsters, The Vibrolators. She has recently formed her own band Ali Penney and The Money Makers. She has just recorded her 1st album. Alison has played all across Australia and at all sorts of festivals her brand of Blues, Soul and Boogie and she loves New Orleans Music.
Andy Cowan Band
One of Australia's most experienced and talented singers and keyboard players, Andy is now stepping out to claim the spotlight that is rightfully his. Artists who have utilized Andy's skills include Renee Geyer, Ian Moss, Madder Lake, Ayer's Rock and Kevin Borich.Andy is now firmly established as one of Australia's foremost rhythm and blues vocalists/instrumentalists. His success as a live performer is based on his ability to weave an emotional magic when he performs, wrapping his audience in his energy and commitment. Like the greatest of the Blues musicians, Andy has arrived at his music after a long and winding journey -the resulting confidence, maturity and taste are well earned and deeply embedded. Andy has definitely arrived.
Blue Murder!
A powerful funky R&B group with a hard edge.The band is fronted by vocalist Kirby Burgess and guitarist Peter Rich,plus the talents of keyboard player Angela Davies. Rhythm sections vary between Sydney & South Coast gigs. Kirby Lee Burgess - singer, dancer, actor, is a power house of talent. At just twenty one, this versatile performer from Sydney lights up the stage with her presence and is attracting plaudits from across the music industry.
Bondi Cigars
When the Bondi Cigars were first gigging around Sydney, late 1989, they moved in a blues/R&B circuit which, while robust enough since the 60s, had then been sparked into new life by the ‘blues revival’ of the mid-80’s, spearheaded by Robert Cray, Joe Louis Walker, Stevie Ray Vaughan and similar crusaders. And while many of the Sydney bands from that era have vanished, become historical footnotes or undergone major changes, the Cigars - true survivors - have battled on, without ever compromising their distinctive no nonsense style, to become a leading force in Australian R&B.
That original Cigars line-up brought together four like-minded experienced players, all veterans of Sydney inner-west blues venues, and from the word go, as the 1990 tracks demonstrate, the Cigars have been the very model of the ‘no passengers’ band, a well-oiled machine plus soul: no room for slackers here. Always one of the country’s hardest working outfits (on the road more than off), the Cigars have kept their music tight, hard-driving and down - to - earth: the Australian bar band par excellence. Apart from the timeless, unpretentious nature of the music, an obvious reason for the longevity of the Cigars must be the ongoing musical team work of 2 foundation members, Shane Pacey and Al Britton, who continue to co-lead the band. This also explains the consistency of the band’s sound, instantly recognisable for 17 years now, despite personnel changes and occasional stylistic variations.
Brian Fraser
Brian released his third solo CD titled Finger Pickin' Blues in 2003. The CD recorded in Melbourne in February 2003 includes 13 original tracks plus 3 popular covers from the live show. The CD was produced by John Durr and is available through Black Market Music.Brian Fraser’s songwriting and finger-picking guitar-playing talents, combined with his gruff vocal style and entertaining showmanship, have been acclaimed around the country.
This was proven again in 2002 when his 2001 release Sitting On The Corner was in the final nominations for Australian Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year, at the Australian Chain Awards.Since beginning his solo career, he has shared the stage with such renowned Australian blues artists as Chris Finnen, Dutch Tilders, Doc Span, Andy Cowan, Jeff Lang, Phil Manning, Pete Cornelius, Steve Tallis, Kate Meehan and Derrin Nauendorf.Brian’s love of blues music is apparent in every aspect of his approach to his performances, and this ensures that audiences everywhere find his shows highly entertaining, soul-moving and a whole lot of fun.
Chase the Sun
Since forming in 2006, bluesy rock trio Chase The Sun have gone hard and got a lot done in a short time, spending no time amassing widespread critical acclaim for their soul-tinged song writing, blues sensibilities and the powerhouse live delivery of guitar star-on-the-rise Jan Rynsaardt. Combining elements of old-school acoustic blues, Stevie Ray Vaughan boogie, hillbilly finger picking and Hendrix flash; three-piece Chase The Sun crank out a new take on a classic sound.
The trio met after an acoustic jam session in Sydney’s west and their chemistry was phenomenal. Clicking into action immediately, Chase The Sun were in a studio in Sydney’s Blue Mountains to record an album within days of meeting.
The band won the 2007 Australian Blues Award for Best Group and are establishing themselves as a must-see live act through constant touring. “You Gotta Go”, the lead track of their self-titled debut album is gaining momentum on airwaves around the world and also picked up an Australian Blues Award, winning the Title of "Best Song".
Chris Mawer
Chris Mawer, jumpin’, swingin’, hollerin’, blues. Chris Mawer has performed at all the major festivals around Australia, has shuffled through cities, remote areas, promoting his unique blend of blues, and recently expanded operations into Asia and the UK. Chris has had a interesting and colourful music career spanning over a decade, and has performed and recorded with many Australian and international blues acts Newly released 'one way ticket' is the second album from Chris Mawer and features some new up tempo blues and swing tunes as well as some blues favourites. Chris' music has been influenced by such greats as Howlin' Wolf, Ray Charles, Tom Waits, Nat King Cole, Sam Cooke, Muddy Waters."Music to put you in the mood – for anything." - Spirit FM -"Excellent Night, Awesome performance" - Bidgee Blues Club -"Undoubtedly one of the great singer bass players" - Harry Brus -“Chris Mawer is one of my new blues heroes. it might as well be from deep down in Mississippi” - Sun Media (Canada) -"Cleverly crafted... it will get them all moving” - Blues Matters (UK) -"It was one of the best nights we have had for near on a year with the place just humming" - Launceston Blues Club
Chris Raggatt &The Heavy Mellows.
A trio from Sydney's Northern Beaches who play a stylish and classy mix of original and blues standards. Chris is an excellent exponent of slide and conventional guitars and plays an array of self-rebuilt ancient acoustic guitars, and a self built twin neck 6 and 12 string Strat. The band oozes confidence making them one of Canberra’s favourite corporate / party band. Whipping audiences into a frenzy is a common event for this five piece powerhouse.
Dai Pritchard Band
After years of being Australia's most sought after hired gun guitar player, Dai
Pritchard has decided the time is now right to "Do my own thing". Dai has just
put together his all new Blues Trio, the Dai Pritchard Band. Dai Pritchard, "GOD OF THUNDER" to his friends!, blues guitarist, singer/songwriter extraordinaire. - a guitarist to all the big names of Australian Music , Billy Thorpe, Rose Tattoo, Doug Parkinson, Russell Morris, Marcia Hines, Olivia Newtown-John, Glen Shorrock plus Dai was the Guitarist in the House Band for all the "Long Way To The Top" concerts!! Pritchard’s reputation as a guitarist far exceeded his wildest dreams when four years ago he became a full time member of Rose Tattoo. He found himself touring extensively throughout Europe playing to over 50,000 strong crowds from Donnington to Denmark. Pritchard has opened for the likes of Guns ‘n Roses, Motorhead and Iron Maiden. Notable for his expertise as a electric guitarist, Pritchard has also built a solid foundation and reputation for his acoustic guitar skills and vocals.
Darren Jack Band
Darren Jack has been playing the live scene for 15 years and keeps getting stronger with every gig. He has appeared at just about every major Blues Festival in Australia and has played along side some of his most important influences. He writes his own music and plays guitar with serious intensity and has a strong warm vocal that makes for a full sound that you could easily forget comes out of a 3 piece band. Darren has just released his brand new live album "Live at the Bridge Hotel" which captures the honesty and raw energy of what Jacko does best. Playing live.one of Australia’s leading Blues musicians, Jack has opened and shared the stage with such artists as: Robert Cray (USA), Jimmie Vaughan (USA), Canned Heat (USA), Ford Blues Band (USA), George Thorogood (USA), Chris Cain (USA), Andy Just (USA), Long John Baldry (UK), Kevin Borich, Ian Moss, Jeff Lang, Phil Emmanuel, Dave Hole, and Chain.
Don Hopkins & Rob Grosser
A conjurer’s bag of blues, boogies, spirituals, rags & ballads. Don Hopkins piano and vocals with Rob Grosser drums and percussion. An influential part of Sydney's Blues scene since the 1970s, piano player and vocalist, Don Hopkins was inducted into the Goulburn Australian Blues Music Festival’s Blues Walk Of Fame in 2002. Don has also backed blues greats like Sax Honker, Big Jay McKneely and Chicago blues harpist, Carey Bell. Don also supported the late Bo Jocque from Louisiana. He played in Lucky Oceans’ Festival Western Swing Band at the National Folk Festival in 2005 and also toured Austria in that year. He collaborated with Tina Harrod and Jackie Orszaczky on a Gospel meets Jazz Show. Don is well known for his authentic approach to 1920s & 30s jazz and blues to 1950s and 60s rhythm & blues and rock’n’roll. In teaming up with Rob, this two piece really swings.
Fiona Boyes Band & Solo
Fiona Boyes is a one-woman blues tent revival. Her pulpit is the stage, which she commands with the energy of an entire flock of worshippers. And her Bible is the guitar. With her acoustic and electric virtuosity and mastery of styles, she uses it as a righteous instrument to uphold the music’s tradition, even as her strong, distinctive songwriting moves it forward.
Gail Page
Gail simply has one of the biggest voices in the business. Her earth shattering vocals and bubbly personality in combination with the extreme musical talents of Parris Macleod on piano and hammond organ, draws immediate attention when performing live and leave the audience with the feeling they have witnessed something very special. Gail's career started in 1993 when she first met Parris at the Beachcomber Hotel and asked if she could jump up with his band at the time ("The Mix"). Parris was so impressed that after one song he asked her to join the band as the lead singer. Gail continued on for the next two years as the lead singer for the Sunday residential band performing with many of Sydneys finest musicians that joined "The Mix" including Mal Eastick, Kirk Lorange, Gordon Rytmeister, Sunil de Silver, Garry Steel, Paul Green, Andy Atwill, Roby Seracussa, Steve Furnley and many more.
Kevin Borich
With a professional career spanning 30 years, Kevin Borich has done it all.
beginning with the la- de- da’s in New Zealand, writing the classic hit `Gonna see my baby tonight’, to his Kevin Borich express and the party boys, Kevin has performed at some of the biggest rock events Australia has seen.
Sunbury and the rockarenas in the 70’s with 60,000 people, featuring Fleetwood Mac, Santana (with whom he was invited onstage to play with) and the Little River Band. 2 new years eve celebrations at the Sydney Opera House with 70,000 people, telecast live, nationally and internationally to Japan, at that time, a first! Numerous support shows for international acts, Elton John, Status Quo, Jeff Beck and Buddy Guy to name a few. From your local to the big events,K has carved out a revered reputation in the Australian music industry, performing his music with a youthful exuberance - giving extra meaning to the word longevity.
Phil Edgeley
Slide Guitarist, singer songwriter, cook extraordinaire, ex fitter and turner, musical mendicant, mojo mumbler, you might catch Phil any week at some high-tone New South Wales gig snaking out some trademark slide, finger pickin' folk blues phonetics, or finger lickin' at any of the local nosh houses. This man likes blues. This man likes food. Gotta be good! Yeah, but what's he done? Orright, orright, loosen up, boys and girls. The man has paid his dues-and then some. From way back in hometown Stamford, Lincolnshire, da-woopin' trombone in the local Brassed Off, flattenin' hedgehogs on his heavy duty metal thunder, crowing like Little Red Rooster with his old six string down at the local, the punters just waitin' to die; to mixin' it with the cream of the new Aussie blues explosion at Lizotte's Live, that's a mighty long way to a place at the table. Two albums-This Life, followed by Then and Now-Slide inspired by the likes of Jeff Lang and fingerpicking in the same vein as the other Phil (Manning) all the way to the crossroads. Yeah, he's had stones in his passway, but catch his smartmouth live, and woooh, that's a lowdown dirty sound, brother, and I mean MEAN. Wait up, clear as an English brook, he's got some crusty ol' folk smoothin' out Kelly Joe Phelps, fingers flyin',unbending notes in near nirvana, chasing a raga across Persia and back into a sweaty, desperate delivery like a buzzsaw in a tattoo parlour.
Phil Manning
One of Australia's best known guitarists, Phil has single handed turned more Australians onto the Blues than any other performer. Many Australians know him as a member of Chain, the legendary blues band whose contribution to Australian music and the development of the blues in this country is unparalleled. Distilling influences such as Blind Blake, Robert Johnson, Doc Watson and Celtic sounds into his original style ensures a sound that is timeless and contemporary. His use of a range of acoustic guitars in both slide and finger picking styles emphasises his skill at covering a full range of acoustic blues. It is a reminder that blues can be lyrical and melodic as well as emotional. Phil Manning is an artist who has thrilled audiences throughout the length and breadth of the Antipodes and is finally revealing himself to the rest of the world.
Ray Beadle
Ray Beadle is the genuine article, his music comes deep from the heart and soul.
Ray’s music is rich with a deep history of the Blues, rich from 20 years of experiences garnered from performing nationally and Internationally and rich from a deep understanding of his instrument and how to make it stir something within the listener. That’s what the Blues is about.
Ray picked up the guitar when he was just 9 and for the next 20 years played with and learnt from the best, which includes performing and recording with the Foreday Riders (commonly referred to as the ‘University of the Blues’).
Ray has shared the stage with many great Australian and International artists, and has thrilled countless festival audiences. A three month residency with the house band in B B King’s Club in Memphis and Buddy Guy’s Blues Club in Chicago, as well as playing several American Blues festivals, were all defining moments during Ray’s three tours to the USA.
2007 Winner of The Sydney Blues Society / Australian Blues Music Performer of the Year, 1998 Australian Blues Music Award Winner Best Male Artist, 1997 Australian Blues Music Award Winner Best New Male Artist
Steve Edmonds
The Steve Edmonds Band have been tearing it up around the traps for a few years now. Guitarist extraordinaire Edmonds is no stranger to the the stage with performance credits including Jimmy Barnes, Renee Geyer, Doug Parkinson, Matt Finish, Billy Thorpe, Delta Goodrem, Australian Idol Band, Richard Clapton and many many more.The new band plays a selection of guitar driven favourites featuring the music of Hendrix, Vaughan, Led Zepplin, Deep Purple, AC-DC, Lynrd Skynrd, Status Quo, Thin Lizzy and many more.The Guitar fueled, Blues/Rock Trio burn through rock classics and crowd favourites with a fresh energy and musicianship only years of playing can develop.This band plays a great classic rock selection, so all you guitar aficionados, dancers, blues nuts and lovers of great live music check out the incredible Steve Edmonds Band.
Sugarcane Collins
All the way from Cape York in the hot and humid tropical far north of Australia, where the rainforest meets the reef and where there are only two seasons, wet and dry, comes Sugarcane Collins. With fire and skill and passion and commitment, Sugarcane plays guitar and sings with the deep heart of a bluesman. He had been first drawn to the Irish based traditional music of his homeland, but the blues, when he found it, was stronger and darker and ultimately, held more fascination. His early years were divided between life in the city and life in the bush at ‘The Oaks’, a dairy farm at Berry’s Creek.
Like so many other jazz and bluesmen before him, he started singing in a church choir, but when his father gave him his first guitar at the age of seven and Collins instinctively started sliding his pocket knife up and down the strings, his future life as a travelling bluesman was all but sealed.
He hit the road at eighteen and found himself way up north in Cairns, Queensland in the late 70’s at the peak of the Barbary Coast days, where in the wild stretch of waterfront pubs, boozing and brawling were given equal opportunity. The entertainment either learnt how to fight or play well enough to please the fishermen, canecutters, miners, bikers and all manner of desperado who drifted around the north when Cairns was a sugarcane town and the end of the road on the east coast of Australia.
The Black Schu Band
The Black Schu band is from Canberra - Ben Schumann Drums, John Black piano & vocals, Richard Booth Saxophone. John has an amazing ability to hold down the bass line with his left hand, solo with his right hand, play melody and sing! Ben adds the rhythm and groove with some fire and Richard lights the whole with sax. The music is a unique blend of Blues and Boogie.
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