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Sydney Blues and Roots Festival 2017 was scaled down from the previous year but still a great selection of bands.

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Minnie Marks was Festival Ambassador and gave some stirring solo performances.

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Ghost Road opened the Festival as the first band on Friday night.

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Guitar wizard Kevin Borich at his 70th birthday performance.  I first photographed him 35 or 36 years ago.

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David Rowlands dancing with Cathy Vaughan as Bonnie Kay and the Bonafides play.

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Bonnie Kay (Bonnie Kay and the Bonafides).

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The trombone of Kaiki Suzuki, reflecting the crowd.  Playing with the very accomplished Rhythm and Blues band Bonnie Kay and the Bonafides.

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And then on Saturday afternoon, the heavens opened.  People scrambling to cover equipment or push it out of the rain.  The band is Great Dane, who were prominent in the early 80s and their talent and experience showed.

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Luke Ligtenberg has left the stage and he has an enthusiatic audience as the rain pours down outside the tent.  He is with a dynamic young band, the Swamp Stompers.

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Kane Starkey playing with Cornstalk.

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Stefan Sernek playing accordion for Psycho Zydeco.

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Leesa Gentz from the band Hussie Hicks.  Having great fun and also producing a great sound.

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Julz Parker, also from Hussie Hicks.

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8 Ball Aitken, originally from northern Queensland, now living in Austin Texas.

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Bob Gammage, painting the 8 Ball Aitken set.

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Next morning, here is Doggin It at the George St Loft Café.

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Chris Turner and Alex Smith.

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Lyn Hinds playing bass for Bounty Hunters.

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P. J. O’Brien.

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The inimitable Davo Fester playing with P. J. O’Brien Band.

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Jason Dowse, playing bass for Lizard.

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The Mezcaltones (here Colo Padre, Neralita and Filthy Lucre), Tex/Mex with visual flair.

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Mimi of the Mezcaltones.

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Wes Harder with Kate Lush Band.

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Kate Lush.

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Ali Penney with Women of Blues & Sould Showcase.

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Kerrie Sweeney and Michelle van der Meer, Women of Blues & Sould Showcase.

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George Rigatos, Women of Blues & Sould Showcase.

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Dai Pritchard, here playing Hendrix.

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Foreday Riders bringing up the climax of the festival in their 50th anniversary year.  Jeff King, Ron King, Stan Mobbs, Shane Pacey.

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Rosscoe Clark, the other member of the Foreday riders.

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Ron King.

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Jeff King.

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…

There are many more images. On the Sydney Blues Festival Page, you will find links to images from the 2017 Festival, as well the previous festivals from 2009 . For 2017 there is Top 100 Images and links for each band.

Alternatively, there is also a direct overall link to all Sydney 2017 images in JAlbum (with overview images and images by band organised by folder).

For other live music images of a particular band since 2006, see the Musicians and Bands Page, which lists links alphabetically by band.

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I was asked to cover the first Sydney Winterfest, a mini Blues Festival over three days but all acts on the same semi-outside stage.  Usually I have to chase around to cover a Festival but in this one, and particularly since I was staying at the venue, I was able to reserve a table at the front of the stage and operate from there.

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The first band was The New South, talented and very young.  This is Harry Tompsett.

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This is a guitarist from the Mescaltones, a Tex/Mex Blues Band with a flair for performance and costume changes.

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The climax for Friday night was the Pat Powell Super Blues Band, playing the Muddy Waters “Hard Again” album.  This is Pat Powell, formerly of England and earlier Jamaica.

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There were many eminent musicians in Pat’s band.  One was Clayton Doley on keyboards.

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This is Beau Lloyd in the Keith Hall Band, the first band on Saturday morning.

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Bill Kervin, bass player with Cristina Crofts.

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Christina Crofts’ band, Christina and Bill out front, playing vibrant blues rock originals.

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Christina’s drummer, Mick O’Shea.

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Lizard: Matthew Charnley on the left and Roy Ruckman on drums.

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Jason Dowse, bass player for Lizard.

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Starting a mini-series of drummers: Roy Ruckman of Lizard.

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Apparently this youngster expressed an interest in playing the drums so Peter Fricker (one of the organisers) placed him briefly on stage during an intermission.

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Tony, Boyd, playing for the Simon Kinny-Lewis Band.

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Simon Kinny-Lewis.

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The keyboard player in the same band, whose name I do not know.

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Simon Kinny-Lewis Band, playing Blues in blue light.

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Emma and Gary in the kitchen.

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Steve Bennett of Ghost Road, a band that has been playing for 25 years.

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Stan Mobbs, playing with Chris Cain.

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American guitar maestro Chris Cain, the headline act for the festival.

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Dancing for Chris Cain…

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The first band on Sunday was the Imogen Clark Band.  This is her father, playing bass.

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Jason Garwood with the Imogen Clark Band.

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Imogen Clark, only 21 and highly accomplished as both a guitarist and a singer.

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Lloyd Spiegel, an amazing performer of clever lyrics and stunning acoustic guitar solos.

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19 Twenty was the next band, as always playing very tight with amazing energy and compelling engagement with the crowd.  Kane Denelly and John Gwilliam.

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Young and old up and dancing.

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Kane undertaking a soaring riff, hiding drummer Syd Green.

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19 Twenty dancefloor again.

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Mal Eastick and Milena Barrett.  Milena is English and a wonderful singer.

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Maestro Australian guitarist Mal Eastick.

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…

There are many more images. On the Sydney Blues Festival Page . you will find links to images from the 2017 Winterfest, as well the previous festivals from 2009 . For the 2017 Winterfest there is Top 75 Images and links for each of 13 bands.

Alternatively, there is also a direct overall link to all Sydney Winterfest 2017 images in JAlbum (with overview images and images by band organised by folder).

For other images of a particular band I may have taken since 2006, see the Musicians and Bands Page, which lists links alphabetically by band.

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I had missed this Festival the previous two years due to being overseas but this year I was able to cover it. It is held in Windsor, an old town now part of Sydney, and this year it was out of the main part of town and in a very compact location. There was a particularly fine array of bands, the lighting was much improved on previous Festivals. Here are some of the images…

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Urban Chiefs

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Tomcat Playground

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Claude Hay

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Jimmy Bee, Cyril B Bunter Band

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Lesz Karski, The Hippos

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Kane Denelly and John Gwilliam, 19 Twenty

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Christina Crofts

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Michelle Van Der Meer, Michelle Van Der Meer’s Midnight Ramblers

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Robert Susz, Continental Robert’s Soul Kinda Feeling Revue

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Phil Manning

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Marshall O’Kell

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Glen Cardier, Glen Cardier and the Sideshow

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Jeremy Edwards, Glen Cardier and the Sideshow

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Mal Eastick, The Stars

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Bob Gammage, The Stars

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Chris Cain

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James Southwell Band

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Tanya Bethune, Sugar Bowl Hokum

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Lyn Hinds, Bounty Hunters

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David Hinds, Bounty Hunters

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Mitch Anderson, Harry Brus Band with Mitchell Anderson

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Mario Millo

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Greg Hatton and Christopher Wilson, Psycho Zydecho

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Elizabeth Anne Stocco, Gail Page Band

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Zoltan John Budai, Gail Page Band

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Chris Wilson, Manning Wilson Southwell Band

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Mark Kennedy, Manning Wilson Southwell Band

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Gail Page, Manning Wilson Southwell Band

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Rebecca Davey, Dreamboogie

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Diesel

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…

There are many more images.  On the Sydney Blues Festival Page you will find links to images from the 2016 Festival, as well the previous festivals from 2009 .  For 2016 there is Top 100 Images and links for each of 39 bands.

Alternatively, there is also a direct overall link to all Sydney 2016 images in JAlbum (with overview images and images by band organised by folder).

For other images of a particular band I may have taken since 2006, see the Musicians and Bands Page, which lists links alphabetically by band.

The Sydney Blues Festival for 2012 played over three days in late October in the historic town of Windsor.  During that time I photographed 44 bands or performers.  Images and links for twelve of these follow.

You can find links for all the other performances in the overall blog page for Sydney Blues Festivals (2009, 1020, 2012).  This includes links to the Top 100 Images, Selected Monochrome Images (62) and the overall collection of All Images with subfolders by band.  This last also includes an overview of 39 images.

Jim Conway from the six-piece band Big Wheel playing Blues, Jump and Swing.  There have been a few personnel changes over the years and Jim and pianist Don Hopkins are the only remaining original members.

More images (another six); Band Website; Sample tracks.

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Rob Hirst of the “Delta Blues Wall of Sound” band The Backsliders.   He used to be drummer with Midnight Oil and brings spectacular energy levels to the band.  Dom Turner is guitarist and founder of the band 25 years ago. Broderick Smith here plays Harmonica.

More images (another 19); Band website; Videos.

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Mason Rack of the three piece Mason Rack Band, energetic and versatile Blues. I hadn’t seen them before and I was impressed.

More images (another 14);  Band website;  Videos.

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 Mia Dyson, back from the States and playing her own distinctive blend of music.

More images (another 11);  Website;  Tracks from Albums.

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Lanie Lane is relatively new on the music scene, incorporating blues, jazz and rockabilly.

More images (another 20);  Website;  Video.

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Billy TK Jnr, maestro Blues guitarist, over from New Zealand with his four piece band the Groove Shakers.

More images (another 19);  Website;  Sample tracks.

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8 Ball Aitken, Swamp Blues from Northern Queensland, performing solo with his three-woman backup dancers.

More Images (another 13);  Website;  Video.

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 The Angels, a seminal Australian Rock band formed in 1974 and setting a standard with their Face to Face album in 1978.  Rick Brewster, Dave Gleeson (formerly of the Screaming Jets), John Brewster and Sam Brewster-Jones (John’s son, standing in for Chris Bailey) with the drummer (Nick Norton) behind, obscured by the smoke.

More images (another 40);  Website;  Video.

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 Mick Conway, frontman of the Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, reformed for this performance.  They are a Jug Band from the 1970s and their best known recording is probably their second LP, Wangaratta Wahine.  For the performance here, they are an eight-piece band.

More images (another 18);  History and Info.

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Barbara Blue “the Memphis Queen”, a rhythm and Blues singer from Memphis Tennessee, here backed by Australian Musicians.

More images (another 22); Website;  Sample tracks.

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 Charlie Musselwhite, the great American harmonica player and band leader, here playing with his own band.

More images (another 31);  Website;

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Ian Moss, best known as the lead guitarist of seminal Australian Rock band Cold Chisel, performing here with a five-piece band including Dave Blight, Jonathon Sion (?), Peter Walker and Hamish Stewart (sp?) as the grand climax to the Festival.

More images (another 36);  Website;

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Rob Hirst, the Backsliders, Sydney Blues Festival 2012

Click on a festival year (below) for an overview for that Festival plus folders for each band – or click links to select specific performances – or just look at the images on this page.  (There are 204 performances and 2,494 images here, probably too many to view them all).

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Rosscoe Clark, Sydney Blues Festival 2017.

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• • 2017 (29 performances, 494 images)
    • Top 30
    • Top 100
    • 8 Ball Aitken (17)
    • Andie Isalie in zOthers  (2)
    • Bella Luchetti in zOthers (2)
    • Bonny Kay & the Bonafides (24)
    • Bounty Hunters (16)
    • Chris Turner and Alex Smith in zOthers (3)
    • Cornstalk (26)
    • Dai Pritchard (18)
    • Divinia in zOthers (1)
    • Doggin It in zOthers (1)
    • Foreday Riders (36)
    • Ghost Road (21)
    • Great Dane (13)
    • Hussy Hicks (40)
    • Kate Lush (22)
    • Kevin Borich (27)
    • Lizard (20)
    • Matt Elder in zOthers (2)
    • Mezcaltones (34)
    • Minnie Marks (15)
    • Pearls and Swine in zOthers (2)
    • PJ O’Brien (18)
    • Psycho Zydeco (23)
    • Richmond High School (11)
    • Rose Carleo in zOthers (1)
    • Stormcellar in zOthers (1)
    • Swamp Stompers (35)
    • Women of Blues & Sould Showcase (18)
    • zOthers (20)
    • Crowds (31)
    • Monochromes (39)

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Mezcaltones, Sydney Winterfest 2017.

• • Winterfest 2017 (13 performances, 331 images)
    • The New South (16)
    • Mezcaltones (35)
    • The Pat Powell Super Blues Band (21)
    • Keith Hall Band (10)
    • Christina Crofts Band (16)
    • Lizard (16)
    • Simon Kinny-Lewis Band (20)
    • Ghost Road (27)
    • Chris Cain (37)
    • Imogen Clark Band (22)
    • Lloyd Spiegel (6)
    • 19 Twenty (25)
    • Mal Eastick and Milena Barrett (33)
    • Other (5)
    • Crowd Images (11)
    • Selected Monochromes (32)
    • Sydney Winterfest 2017 (Blog Post – Summary)

Tomcat Playground, Sydney Blues & Roots Festival 2016

• • 2016 (39 performances, 611 images)
    • Top 100
    • 19 Twenty (30)
    • Bounty Hunters (12)
    • Chase the Sun (14)
    • Chris Cain (25)
    • Christina Crofts (13)
    • Claude Hay (6)
    • Continental Robert’s Soul Kinda Feeling Revue (26)
    • Cyril B Bunter Band (21)
    • Diesel (17)
    • Don Hopkins Duo (14)
    • Dreamboogie (33)
    • Gail Page (28)
    • Glen Cardier (26)
    • Harry Brus Band with Mitchell Anderson (26)
    • James Southwell Band (9)
    • Manning Wilson Southwell Band (42)
    • Mario Millo (22)
    • Marshall O’Kell (18)
    • Matt Ross and the Gospel Storm (15)
    • Michelle Van Der Meer’s Midnight Ramblers (20)
    • Orcaband (15)
    • Phil Manning (5)
    • Psycho Zydecho (16)
    • Room 15 (15)
    • Spencer Jones Project (15)
    • Spin Gents (6)
    • Sugar Bowl Hokum (15)
    • Swampash (5)
    • The Hippos (26)
    • The Stars (28)
    • Tomcat Playground (22)
    • Urban Chiefs (8)
    • Others (Dog the Duke, Lizard, Nick Charles, Owen Campbell, The Fumes, Troy Dwyer & the Bridge Burners) (18)
    • Selected Monochrome
    • Crowd Images (18)
    • Sydney Blues Festival 2016 (Blog Post – Summary)

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Russell Morris’s bass player, Sydney Blues Festival 2013

• • 2013 (26 performances, 282 images)
    • Top 100
    • Ash Grunwald (14)
    • Backwood Creatures (7)
    • Bec Sandridge (6)
    • Carus Thompson (6)
    • Charlie A’Court (14)
    • Chris Wilson and Shannon Bourne (8)
    • Continental Blues Party (9)
    • Cyril B Bunter Band (10)
    • Dave Hole (14)
    • Diesel (20)
    • Dog Trumpet (16)
    • Foreday Riders (14)
    • Ginhouse Blues Band (12)
    • The King Bees (13)
    • Mal Eastick Trio (10)
    • Muddy Waters Tribute (20)
    • The Pigs (5)
    • Russell Morris (17)
    • Sandi Thom (9)
    • Two Girls Will (12)
    • Wilson/ Diesel (32)
    • Others (Banjalu, Bob Pigott, Doggn It, Swamp Stompers, Tim Chaison) (8)
    • {Bob Gammage and Auction} (9)
    • {Crowd images} (14)
    • {Overall images of bands} (31)
    • {For Sponsors} (19)
    • Sydney Blues Festival 2013 (Blog post – Summary)

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Rick Brewster, The Angels, Sydney Blues Festival 2012

• • 2012 (44 performances, 447 images)
    • Top 100
    • 8 Ball Aitken (14)
    • The Angels (41)
    • Backsliders (20)
    • Barbara Blue (23)
    • Big Wheel (8)
    • Billy TK Jnr (20)
    • Blind Lemon(5)
    • Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band (19)
    • Charlie A’Court (10)
    • Charlie Musselwhite (32)
    • Darren Jack Hammond Trio (11)
    • Dave Tice Band (21)
    • Frank Sultana and the Sinister Kids (5)
    • Genevieve Chadwick (8)
    • Glen Cardier & the Sideshow (8)
    • Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson (9)
    • Ian Moss (37)
    • Jill Barber (6)
    • Joe Robinson (6)
    • Lanie Lane (21)
    • Lloyd Speigel (10)
    • Marshall O’Kell (15)
    • Mason Rack (12)
    • Mia Dyson (12)
    • Pete Cornelius (6)
    • Ray Beadle (16)
    • The Trews (7)
    • Others (Benjalu, Blake Saban, Bonez, Cass Eager & the Velvet Rope, Chris E Thomas, Daniel Allars, Dr Don’s Double Dose, Lachy Doley, The Lazys, Mark Cashin & the Lil Hussys, Matthew Barber, Mojo Juju, Owen Campbell, Penny & the Mystics, Petulant Frenzy, Sam Buckingham, Syndicators) (33)
    • Selected Monochrome (62)
    • Crowd Images (18)
    • Sydney Blues Festival 2012 (Blog Post – Summary)

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Trevor Young, Forever Young, Sydney Blues Festival 2010

• • • 2010 (32 performances, 195 images)
      • All Images (195)
      • Anikiko (4) in Various Others
      • Billy TK Jr (8)
      • Blues Pirates (1) in Various Others
      • Bondi Cigars (11)
      • Chase the Sun (7)
      • Closing Party (note: this is not a band) (14)
      • Dai Pritchard (4) in Various Others
      • Dallas Frasca (8)
      • Dave Tice Band (6)
      • Detonators (6)
      • Don Hopkins & Rob Grosser (8)
      • Forever Young (15)
      • Geoff Achison (14)
      • Gail Page (17)
      • Glen Cardier (11)
      • Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson (1) in Various Others
      • Jack Derwin (3) in Various Others
      • Jasmin Rae (6)
      • Kevin Borich Express (10)
      • Marshall & the Fro (11)
      • Richard Clapton (7)
      • Richard Perso (3) in Various Others
      • Smoking Ceremony (6)
      • Stray Roots (3) in Various Others
      • Wards Express (5) in Various Others

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James Southwell, Barry (the Goose) Harvey and Tim Partridge, James Southwell Band, Sydney Blues Festival 2009

• • • 2009 (23 performances, 131 images)
      • All images (131)
      • Alison Penney & the Moneymakers (5)
      • Backsliders (10)
      • Beachhead (2) in Various Others
      • Brewster Brothers (12)
      • Buddy Knox (2) in Various Others
      • Cass Eager (5)
      • Chase the Sun (5)
      • Darren Jack (5)
      • Dave Tice Band (4) in Various Others
      • Don Hopkins & Rob Grosser (5)
      • Foreday Riders (11)
      • Gail Page Band (10)
      • James Southwell Band (5)
      • John the Revelator (6)
      • Kevin Bennett and the Flood (4) in Various Others
      • Louis King (1) in Various Others
      • Mal Eastick (8)
      • Marji Curran & Adam Hole (11)
      • Marshall & the Fro (6)
      • Pete Cornelius & the Devilles (3) in Various Others
      • Ray Beadle (6)
      • Robert Susz’s Continental Blues Party (2) in Various Others
      • Stormcellar (4) in Various Others

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Kevin Borich, Sydney Blues Festival 2010