The ninth Annual Sydney Blues and Roots Festival has changed dates this year to the first weekend in December 1 – 3.
It will still be held at in Historic Windsor, NSW, across three stages and their famous Blues Cruises. Bands booked so far include Kevin Borich Express, The Foreday Riders, The Mason Rack Band, Hussy Hicks, Simply Bushed, Psycho Zydeco, Minnie Marks, The Swamp Stompers, Cornstalk and Johnny Devilseed & Old Man Rubes.
The Hawkesbury cruises take place in an actual paddlewheeler for that true Mississippi experience!
You can find out more at sydneybluesandrootsfestival.com
We have a couple of new venues and an old favourite has returned.
The Barking Dog has recommenced live music now that the renovations have been completed and settled. Their first booking was Jimi Hocking on a Sunday afternoon, which is a good sign for further bookings. Wolesley Wines, down on Hendy Main Road has also restarted their summer season of music. They have some great bookings, including Eugene Hamilton and the Money, Large Number 12s, Rebecca Barnard, Painters and Dockers and The Beachniks.
The new venue I want to mention is Sounds in the Secret Garden. The Secret Garden in question is at the old Geelong Club in Brougham Street. As far as I am aware there is no need to follow a thrush to find the keys in the flower bed, just turn up at 12:30pm for their gigs. Not a huge amount of blues in the current offerings, but Kenny Miller, Victoriana Gaye and some more eclectic acts such as Dave Grainey and Los Locos are on the current bill. Certainly worth supporting and encouraging.
Feel like dancing to the smooth sounds of blues swing with early rock ‘n’ roll thrown in the mix? Then get yourself to The Jump Devils gig at Sleepy Hollow. The Jump Devils sound harks back to the days of the 40’s before the arrival of rhythm, blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Naturally, with up-tempo, infectiously danceable tunes ringing in your ears, it’s little wonder you’ll want to dance the night away at a gig like this.
John Walton started The Jump Devils over ten years ago. During their maturation whilst doing countless gigs Melbourne wide and regional areas, the band gained a solid reputation within the blues and swing fraternity.
When you have a unique sound that blends blues, swing and early rock ‘n’ roll imbued with influences from Louis Jordan, Freddy King and Hollywood Fats, you can expect to hear the real deal and be blown away. The current line up consists of Chris ‘Stibbo’ Hanger (lead vocals and harp), John Walton (upright bass/vocals), Mark ‘Harpo’ Greenway (guitar) and Alf Mott (drums).
Walton’s love of the genre has inspired him to write several original tunes in which the band now incorporates into their repertoire. The success of these new songs is pushing them towards the recording studios and they hope to record soon.
Jump Devils are at the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club on November 26.
