Jimi Hocking

Members: Jimi Hocking (guitars/vocals)

Style: Roots-Blues-Rock

Web Site: www.jimihocking.com/

Sample Music: Click to Listen

Description: Jimi Hocking is a songwriter, singer and guitarist of the highest calibre, the electric love child of T-Bone Walker, BB King and Jimi Hendrix. He struts the stage with his band, playing his ‘showy’ guitar style while pulling all the classic stunts ... behind the head ... the duck walk ... even the splits!

Jimi’s affinity with the guitar started as a boy when his father, Kevin Hocking (a well known pianist and composer) realised that Jimi was more interested in Chuck Berry than his piano lessons, and so presented him with a primitive acoustic guitar for Christmas. These humble beginnings led to an ongoing career in music, with Jimi playing electric guitar, acoustic guitar and mandolin.

Always working on multiple recording projects, including a new blues album, 2006 chimed in for Jimi with the release of ‘The Ultimate Bootleg (vs2)’. Jimi's 10th album is a re-make of his first independent acoustic album, featuring all new recordings of original songs and bonus tracks... [more]

Winner (Solo/Duo) International Blues Challenge in Memphis, USA

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Brian Fraser / The Brian Fraser Trio

Members: Brian Fraser (guitars/slide guitar/vocals), plus Mick Reid (harmonica, percussion, vocals), Benny Owen (percussion, didgeridoo, vocals)

Style: Roots-Blues - either an acoustic solo show or the Brian Fraser Trio with Mick Reid and Benny Owen.

Web Site: www.brianfraser.com

Sample Music: Click to Listen

Description: The Brian Fraser Trio has just released its debut CD, Passing The Time. The 14-track CD, released through Black Market Music, has nine Brian Fraser originals and five cover songs from the live show.

Brian Fraser's song writing and finger-picking guitar-playing talents, combined with his gruff vocal style and entertaining showmanship, have been acclaimed around the country. With three solo albums and years of constant touring, he has built a reputation as one of Australia's finest acoustic blues performers.

In 2004, Brian performed a few shows with harp player Mick Reid and percussionist Benny Owen and the collaboration was so successful that it has evolved into The Brian Fraser Trio.

With many successful tours up and down Australia's East coast, the Trio brings a fresh approach to the blues, with three-part vocals, driving rhythms, wailing harp and Fraser's finger-picking; the act is in constant demand around the country.

As well as shows in pubs and clubs all over the country, The Trio has, in its short life, made appearances at the Broadbeach Blues Festival (QLD), The Australian Blues Festival (NSW) and The Gympie Muster (QLD). The Trio will also be appearing at The Bridgetown Festival (W.A.) in November, The Australian Blues Festival (Goulburn, NSW) in February 2006 and The Bluestone Festival (VIC) on New Year's Eve.

Review Comments

"See this crew live and chances are you will be joining the queue for this disc after the show."
--Lee Howard, Melbourne Herald Sun--

Australian Blues Band of the Year Chain Awards 2006 (The Brian Fraser Trio).
Australian Blues Album of the Year Chain Awards 2000.
Male Artist of the Year Victorian Blues Awards 2003.

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Ross Ward / Wards Xpress

Members: Ross Ward (guitars/slide guitar/vocals), plus band if required

Style: Roots-Blues-Rock - either an acoustic solo/duo show or a full-on band show with Ward's Xpress.

Web Site: www.rossward.com

Sample Music: Click to Listen

Description: The idea for the band Ward's Xpress was first conceived during the 1995 East Coast Blues Festival, when a group of Byron Bay musicians were drafted in to form the backing band for the Bentley/Reed Blues Review. After two more subsequent and almost exclusive festival appearances as the Blues Review, Ross Ward formed the Xpress in 1997 as a vehicle for his original electric tunes,and as an adjunct to the solo acoustic style he also covers. In Sept. of that year, the band released its debut EP/CD "Toe The Line'' which was awarded 'Best Blues' at the North Coast Entertainment Industry 'Dolphin' Music Awards. In April '98 the band followed up with the CD 'Southbound Freight', then 'Wire-Fire' in 2000, released on Full Moon records, and recorded in Sydney.

Several more award nominations followed, and the band began to work well outside its earlier circles, and commenced regular gigs and visits to Sydney and the ACT area's in addition to Brisbane, the Northern Rivers of NSW, and the Sunshine Coast in Qld.The band has also appeared at the Gympie, Woodford, Broadbeach, Byron, Bridgetown (WA), Thredbo and Brisbane Blues/Music festivals, and has developed a reputation for not only memorable performances, but also a legacy of utilising some of this country's finest musicians on a regular 'guest' basis. The band has included drummers Dave Sanders, Bruce Stephens, George Brugmans, bassists Zolton Budai, Thierry Fosmale and Greg Lyon, keyboardists Donny Hopkins, Mike Gubb, Steve Russell, and guitarists: Jim Kelly, Travis New and Nathan Ward, along with a star-studded cast for the band tracks on Ross Ward's solo CD, 'Transit Lounge, released in November 2003. While the songwriting continued to evolve, 'a new concept' emerged in early 2006.

In May 2006, the band debuted a new line-up of players at the 'Blues On Broadbbeach' music festival on Qld's Gold Coast,and filmed the whole show for an upcoming 'live' DVD release ('May-Day') due out soon. The new band features a triple guitar attack with guitarist/singer's Travis New, Nathan ( and Ross ) Ward, bassist Carl Alwert, drummer Ben Karsay and percussionist Alex O'Rielly.This is also much younger company for Ross, with an average age span between early to late 20's, and with the exception of Nathan, all the other guys are graduates of SCU's Contemporary Music Course ( BA ).The nucleus of this band is also the one which 'rocked the house' to rave reviews at the 2006 Thredbo Blues festival. The expanded six-piece line-up of the band was very well-received on debut, plans are afoot to get the band into the studio ASAP, as well as more shows into 2007, and beyond...

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Glen Terry

Members: Glen Terry (guitars/vocals), plus band

Style: Jazz, Funk, Soul, Blues

Web Site: www.myspace.com/glenterry

Sample Music: Click to Listen

Description: A very passionate, soulful entertainer performing a mix of scintillating jazz, funk, soul and yes the blues! Glen has entertained people around the world! A musical journey that has taken him from playing the five star hotels in Cairo,Egypt in the mid eighties to Blues festivals in Tokyo,Japan in the ninties to gigs in Kenya, Mauritius, Thailand, Dubai and Srilanka where he has lived for the past four years. Glen is also known for his many performances in aid of various NGOs around the world. His concerts were often sponsored by brands such as CORONA EXTRA , Srilankan Airlines,Hong Kong Bank, Barefoot Gallery and they were not to be missed. Glen has two CDs loaded with originals, the first one being Cyclonic Woman which was recorded in Mauritius and In the spare bed room recorded in Srilanka in June 2006. As of August 2006 Glen is an official endorsee of Mesa/Boogie, the prestigious amplifier brand and have supplied him with a brand new MESA LONE STAR 2x12 Amp.

Review Comments

Glen terry is a dynamic exponent of the blues.
--The Sunday Observer--

There a new bluesman in town who's packing heat.
--Blues Alive: Tokyo--

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Jonno Zilber

Members: Jonno Zilber (guitars/vocals)

Style: Roots-Blues

Web Site: www.jonnozilber.com

Sample Music: Click to Listen

Description: At 17 years of age, Jonno has been playing music since he was 7 and performing since he was 12. Starting off as just another kid learning classical music on a keyboard, he first became interested in the Blues after hearing the Muddy Waters song, 'Manish Boy'. From that day forward, Jonno's musical passion has been for the Blues.

Over the last three years, Jonno has been awarded the Canberra Roots Music Young Performer award, as well as been elected to the role of Youth Officer on the committee of the Canberra Blues Society. He is a well known figure on the Canberra Blues Scene and has performed with Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges as well as popular Australian blues acts such as Lloyd Spiegel, Dutch Tilders and Matt Corcoran in countless venues from Canberra, ACT to Kalgoorlie, WA.

"Absolutely amazing... Outstanding..." - Genevieve Jacobs, ABC Radio

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Paul Robert Burton

Members: Paul Robert Burton (Eclectic Multi-Instrumentalist Solo & with Bands)

Style: Blues, Jazz, Folk

Web Site: www.myspace.com/paulrobertburton

Sample Music: Click to Listen

Description: Paul is probably best known for his eclectic Jazz/Blues/Swing/Celtic band “The Shuffle Kings” (www.shufflekings.com.au). Formed in May 1996, with a history of over 10 years and 2500 shows “The Shuffle” has grown into a veritable force of quality musicians. They have recorded four albums, one live DVD and have performed over 3000 shows throughout Australia and Europe. As well as continuing to work with the Shuffle Kings, Paul also performs and manages "Jim Conway’s Big Wheel" www.bigwheel.com.au, a six piece jump blues band. Their current CD "Little Story", was nominated for an ARIA (Best Blues Album 2004). The Big Wheel have also released one DVD “Live at the Basement” and continue to be a favorite at Australian Music & Arts Festivals. Paul’s latest ventures see him performing with his one man band, continuing work with The Shuffle Kings & The Big Wheel as well as recording and playing shows with founding members of The Angels, John & Rick Brewster, The Brewster Brothers. Other artists that Paul has performed & recorded with include: Jimmy Barnes, Phil Emmanuel, Felicity Urqhart, Doug Mulray, Nathan Cavaleri, Kevin Borich "Roots 'n Blues Band", Pete Wells (guitarist Rose Tattoo), Paul Demarco, The Harlem Shuffle, Eddy Youngblood (featuring Elvis's original drummer DJ Fontana), Dave Wray (Frank Bennett), Jim Conway, Paul Kelly, Ed Kuepper, Andrew Clermont, Steve Berry, Dave Tice, The Australian Headhunters and many more.

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Jerome Speldewinde

Members: Jerome Speldewinde (vocals/guitar), plus band

Style: Jazz, Blues

Web Site:

Sample Music: Click to Listen

Description:

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