Calling all aspiring blues musicians! Summer is coming around again, and with it comes the 2020 Bellarine Blues Camp. A celebration of the creative output that is music, Blues Boot Camp is for musicians of any instrument aged 12 to 25. A range of local and international artists will head to Drysdale’s The Potato Shed January 7-9 for the camp’s 10th Anniversary.
From beginners to experts, Blues Boot Camp is a brilliant opportunity for enthusiastic aspiring musicians to take the next step in developing their skills and sound. Across a variety of workshops hosted by experienced and accomplished tutors, those headed to the camp will learn a history of the blues, new skills, and techniques, and get a chance to display their new tool kit in a final showcase.
The 2020 Bellarine tutors include a spectacular line-up of Blues musicians experienced in just about every style and instrument imaginable. Event Facilitator Wayne Jury has grown the program over the past decade, also bringing this camp to Echuca for the Winter Blues Festival. Jury has been playing for over 40 years and has shared the stage with stars such as BB King, Buddy Guy and Albert Collins. Tim Neal is the Camp’s resident Hammond Organ expert and has recorded over 40’s CDs with both Australian and international artists. Neal also currently plays with the fusion band Checkerboard Lounge. Premier female musicians Sarah Carroll, the Ukulele Queen of the Bellarine, will coach vocals and choir, guitar and ukulele while Sweet Felicia will pass on her vast bass knowledge while sharing her stage show experience. Student-become-teacher Ethan Farmer, percussion genius Dave Robertson, and intercontinental poetry slam champion Benjamin ‘IQ’ Sanders will reach into their huge depths of Blues knowledge to educate any young musicians that attend. Other tutors include Michael Pollitt, Buddy Knox, Tom Farmer, Andrea Robertson, Andy Baylor, Bob Spencer, Sandy Brady, Dave Steel, Jimi Hocking, Fenn Wilson, Kelly Auty, and Anna Scionti.
Registrations are now open for Blues Bootcamp 2020. The two days and one evening camp costs a total of $170.90, and consists of two jam-packed days of workshops, practising, and games before a live performance by the entire ensemble and other groups that develop over the camp, for families, friends, and absolutely anyone to see.
If you’d like to take the next step in your music career, or just want to pick the brains of these blues geniuses and veterans, make sure to sign up to Bellarine Blues Boot Camp 2020 to join in the 10th Anniversary celebrations.
Visit www.bluesbootcamp.com.au/
Written by Thom Devereux
