C O O L A U G U S T B L U E S C O O L A U G U S T B L U E S ABOUT THE HOBART BLUES CLUB INC.

The Hobart Blues Club was formed in early July 2006 and held its first Tuesday of the month gigs at the Dr Syntax hotel in Sandy Bay. By late 2007, the HBC was holding its gigs at the Duke Cafe Restaurant Bar in Macquarie Street, Hobart. On 7 January 2009, the HBC became an incorporated association. The aims of the HBC Inc are to promote and foster the appreciation of all forms of blues and roots music, to raise the level of awareness of blues and roots music in the community, to promote and foster events featuring blues and roots music, to encourage musicians and others of all ages to participate in the performance of blues and roots music and to take part in the blues and roots community, and to communicate with other blues and roots clubs, societies and associated organisations. The Hobart Blues Club Inc is still presenting free monthly gigs at the Duke, as well co-hosting with the Launceston Blues Club the annual combined jam at the Oatlands RSL, presenting specials at the Lewisham Tavern, and now is presenting the Cool August Blues, in conjunction with the Hobart Jazz Club, at The Republic Bar. The Hobart Blues Club is grateful to talented sound engineer, Ben Cullen, for our events. We hope you all enjoy this free event. David McKay, President.

PROGRAM Saturday 25th August 2018

4pm OPENING: and BALDING AND CROFT Balding and Croft are arguably the finest acoustic blues duo to come out of Tasmania.

GB (Gerry) Balding has to be one of Australia's best finger-picking guitarists, with a vocal delivery straight out of the American Deep South. He is a monthly institution at the Republic Bar as a solo artist. Ian "Crofty" Beecroft is a veteran of the Hobart music scene, playing blues harp, flute and sax for over fifty years. He is also a nationally respected author on playing blues on the harmonica. Balding and Croft has played just about every type of gig, from parties to a number of Tastes of Tasmania events and the Australian Blues Music Festival at Goulburn, NSW.

Their repertoire is squarely embedded in gritty Mississippi Blues, but is nicely spiced up with a few Bob Dylan songs, and other gems such as "Route 66" and even "One Meatball", made famous by Josh White. 5.30pm BILLY WHITTON AND THE MEN OF STEEL Billy Whitton has been gigging around Hobart for about forty years or so, having a residency at the New Sydney Hotel for a very long time. Billy's laid back vocals and eclectic guitar styling's are here complimented by two excellent musicians – Randal Muir on keys and Rit Coomber on drums – to produce The Men of Steel. Expect blues, some jazz-tinged bop, and interpretations of ballads that Billy really makes his own. 7pm GREASY SPOON Hobart-based trio Greasy Spoon's influences are the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Little Walter and Howlin' Wolf, to name a few. With a solid nod to the style of Chicago blues, seasoned members Graeme Beer (vocals/guitar), Brett Carson (bass) and Jeremy Sibson (drums) join together to form a formidable group who strongly represent the genre. 8.30pm MUMBO GUMBO Mumbo Gumbo is a Hobart group put together by local bass legend Kevin Cooney. It features a cast of fine Hobart musicians in Konrad Park on drums, Simon Patterson on guitar, Randal Muir on keyboards and the tough blues/soul vocals of Nicole McIntyre. The band plays songs from their favourite artists in the blues/soul genre; in particular, Etta James, Lucky Peterson, Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi. The band members have a long history of playing locally and on the National Stage.

10pm THE PATRON SAINTS The Patron Saints are a blues band from the old school. Recreating the classic sounds of 1950's and 60's Chicago they draw their inspiration from the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and John Lee Hooker. It's the classic four piece line-up featuring Dave Hall on vocals and harmonica, Pat Curley on guitar and vocals, Rob Moore on bass and Lino Totaro on drums. The emphasis is on solid grooves and authentic interpretations of the blues repertoire. The Patron Saints have featured at the Cool August Blues the last two years, and the HBC is very happy to have them back again. 11.30pm BILLY WARNER TRIO "Billy Warner" is the working name for guitarist, songwriter and performer, Merv Graham, chosen as a tribute to his father. Having arrived in Hobart from Cooktown in far North Queensland, Merv brings decades of experience playing blues gigs and festivals all over Australia, including Bridgetown Blues Festival and Stompem Ground Festival in Broome. He has long been celebrated as an indigenous artist and Hobart has already welcomed him as the newest member of our roots music community.

Much of his repertoire consists of original blues fusion songs written about his real life experiences, and his playing has been lauded by other guitar players all over Australia. Guitarists will note Merv’s clean and authoritative playing, reminiscent of the greats such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Albert Collins. Merv is a strong performer, lyricist and story teller who is not to be missed.

Merv is backed by one of Australia’s dream team rhythm sections, Tim Partridge and Konrad Park. Tim has contributed to the Australian scene since 1967, having toured and recorded all over Australia, UK, LA, and Munich where he performed live to over 60 million on television. Has appeared on over 60 records including the first white artist released on the Motown Label.

Konrad is a true chameleon and all-rounder of the Australian scene, having performed with such artists as Leo DeCastro, Lucky Oceans and Tim Neal. Konrad has frequently backed artists alongside Tim, including Renee Geyer, DeCastro and Doug Parkinson. Their strong rhythm section artistry is the perfect foil for Billy Warner.

Guest keys player Randal Muir will also feature in this band. Randal is Tassies ultimate blues Hammond player.

PROGRAM

Saturday 25th August 2018