Huge congratulations to the true troubadour.
Embracing all of the dark charm of pre-WW2 Mississippi blues, Australian blues artist Frank Sultana’s talents have been recognised globally, taking out first place in the Solo/Duo category of the 2023 International Blues Challenge Final (IBC) in Memphis – one of the world’s biggest Blues music competitions.
Armed with a singing voice with as much grit and whiskey-drenched soul as the characters he writes about, Sultana represented the Sydney Blues Society (SBS) across five days of competition and again 148 competitors, resulting in a great victory that they’ll be celebrating for years to come.
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Sultana now joins Melbourne blues greats Fiona Boyes and Jimi Hocking, who have also previously achieved this winning result at the IBC Final in the Solo/Duo category, representing MBAS at the competition in Memphis. Winning the IBC Final in Memphis is a fantastic achievement and a life-changing, incredible experience for any blues act.
For Sultana, the win will ensure he is a sought-after act and guaranteed to be playing internationally over the next 12 months. In addition to a USD $2,500 cash prize (AUD $3,500), Sultana gains automatic entry to US blues music events such as the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Durango Blues Train Colorado, and a Blues Festival Guide advertising package, plus other valuable sponsor prizes.
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If you’re unfamiliar with Sultana’s music, it’s inspired by such blues/folk greats as Son House, Blind Willie Johnson as well as iconic songwriters like Bob Dylan and Tom Waits.
Inspiring to all, Sultana has maintained a busy touring schedule right through the pandemic period, playing close to 90 shows in 2021, even more in 2022 and now it’s almost guaranteed to top that in 2023. He’s just been announced to play Bluesfest 2023 today alongside the likes of Bobby Alu, Frank Turner, Steve Poltz and more.
Alongside Sultana, South Australian band The Honey Badgers, representing the Adelaide Roots & Blues Association (ARBA), became only the second Australian band in the 38 years of the event’s history to get to the Final in the Band category. In doing so, they join the illustrious company of legendary Melbourne blues band Collard Greens and Gravy, who were the first Australian act to get to the IBC Final, performing in the Band category. The Honey Badgers finished unplaced in the final running, but what an amazing ride!
You can watch Frank Sultana’s winning IBC Final performance over the weekend at the grand Orpheum Theatre in Memphis here.
