Blues News #623

This month, we have an unusual opportunity to hear two Australian notables from the blues scene playing together here in Geelong.
Wayne’s initiation into the world of music began in Geelong supporting Australia’s finest touring bands (AC/DC, Ayres Rock, Little River band, Buffalo, Cold Chisel, Dragon, Hush,TMG, etc.)
Moving to Melbourne to join a ‘Glam Rock’ cover band was not a brilliant idea. Living in boarding houses and being robbed at knifepoint told him maybe Melbourne was not the right place to be right now.
Travelling to Sydney regularly to perform helped him meet up with like-minded musicians and after an altercation with his band (at 18, no place to stay and with $8 in his pocket) he took his bag off the bus and planted himself in Sydney.
When Wayne Jury returned to live in hometown Geelong, life suddenly got a lot simpler. After 30 years based in Sydney doing the big city hustle, more time to write and play guitar afforded him an avenue to express the troubles and emotions he’d been holding on to for years.
Wayne has a commitment to keeping the music going. Like many musicians, he teaches and passes on his craft, but he has taken that a step further with the Blues Boot Camps he runs regularly on the Bellerine, with MBAS and at Echuca.
Apart from teaching, singing and facilitating Blues Boot Camps, he now performs solo and with The Wayne Jury Three, at festivals, locally and around Australia, and plays in a duo with Rory Millar (harmonica). Occasionally he ventures back to Sydney to perform with Drybones and pianist Alison Penney. He also plays regularly with Kelly Auty.
The first time I saw Kelly was at Port Fairy Folk Festival when she was doing her women in music show where she traces music and fashion, describing the lives of women singers and embellishing it with their music. Truly memorable.
Kelly’s earliest memories are of growing up on the Ord River Research Station in the Kimberley Ranges, singing around a campfire, walking in the red dirt under a huge starlit sky and of music always flowing from the stereo speakers in her home.
Kelly Auty delivers a dynamic set of blues, gospel, R’n’B, soul, rock, country, French Chanson and jazz to delight fans.
She leaves audiences wanting more as she sings favourites from such greats as Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Bonnie Raitt, Eartha Kitt, Edith Piaf, Peggy Lee, Janis Joplin, Etta James, Eva Cassidy and Aretha Franklin.
Kelly has sung supports for Janis Ian, The Drifters, Jose Feliciano and The Platters and many festivals throughout Australia. Kelly has produced 8 independent CDs. 2013 saw the launch of her latest offering of original songs “Falling For You”.
She’s a dynamo, recognised as a great vocalist and inspiring performer she delivers outstanding shows in her distinctive style. Together they’ll be amazing! Fun and fabulous, one not to miss.
Catch them at the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club, October 25th – just Google it!
Written by John (Dr John) Lamp
Proudly presented by the Sleepy Hollow Blues club