2007 ARTISTS

Harper PART HARMONICA WIZARD AND PART rhythmic explorer, Harper is a fiery artist who blurs the lines between rock, blues, soul and world music.His latest Blind Pig release, "Day By Day", displays his trademark virtuoso harp performances, distinctive instrumentation, deeply soulful grooves. Harper has been described as "a singer with the deep soul of Motown, a harmonica player who can graft Sonny Boy II and Little Walter with John Popper, a songwriter who tells his own compelling stories. His first album, "Tears of Ice" was followed by "Yesterday Is Over"and "Live At The Soup Kitchen" in 1997 as a soloist. In 2000, he released "Glass on The Stepping Stone" and "Live At St. Andrew’s" in 2001. In 2003 he released "Way Down Deep Inside", for which he received two harmonica awards and “Album of the Year” honor from US Magazine's Guide to the Best of the Blues Harmonicas & Beyond. Over the years Harper has received multiple Australian Blues Awards for “Male Vocalist of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” and “Acoustic Artist of the Year.” His prolific recording career and memorable stage performances allowed Harper to take his music beyond Australia. He’s played in Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore and France. He first started performing in the United States in 1996, and has toured there ten times since. US label Blind Pig Records, made him their first international signing. With a home at a U.S. label and growing appreciation for his music from American audiences, Harper made the permanent move to the U.S. His animated shows have been well received at blues festivals & world music festivals globally. More Info

Chris Wilson has been an essential part of blues and rock music in Australia since taking the stage with the Sole Twisters twenty years ago. Stints with Harum Scarum and Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls followed, and the end of the 80s saw Wilson as one of our finest vocalists, harmonica players and songwriters, fronting the superb Crown of Thorns.His instrumental gifts have often been utilised on recordings by the likes of James Reyne, Hunters and Collectors, Vika and Linda, Renee Geyer, Archie Roach, X, Deb Conway and Ross Hannaford's Dianna KIss. Chris has enjoyed the company of Australia's best musicians on stage and in the studio when realising his own visions in song. Chris has performed in the U.S. at SXSW and two Folk Alliance Conferences. He has won the respect of many overseas artists, among these Joe Henry,Charlie Musselwhite and Tony Joe White. Bob Dylan once made a special trip backstage to shake Chris's hand after a show together in 1992!
Chris has appeared at every major Australian festival and his performances, filled as they are with his own brand of sensuality and the dynamic power that leaves his audiences so satisfied, & are always a highlight.
Chris' stage presence, voice and talent are all as big as the country he lives in.

CHRIS WILSON is a master of his craft. More Info

Jim Conway Is acknowledged as a highly accomplished harmonica player whose distinctive style is well known to blues, jazz and country music enthusiasts.

His extensive career includes national tours with American bluesman Brownie McGhee, The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, Circus Oz and The Backsliders. Jim was a member of the Conway Brothers Hiccups Orchestra from 1984 – 1988 and toured the U.K. in 1986 appearing at the Edinburgh Festival, the Capitol Music Festival and the Newcastle Festival. In 1988, the Conway Brothers appeared at the Houston International Festival, World Expo 88 and the Perth festival. Jim joined the Backsliders in 1989, touring nationally at festivals which include the Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne Festivals, Womad, the East Coast Blues Festival, the Port Fairy Folk Festival, and the Gold Coast International Jazz and Blues Festival .He has twice been a judge at the Hohner Australian Harmonica Championships at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Jim is currently playing with Jim Conways Big Wheel More Info

Christian Marsh has made the harmonica his life’s work. Starting at the age of 14, he has studied the instrument with serious dedication ever since. Highlights of his career include a national tour with the hit stage musical "BigRiver", Three "Gold Harmonica Awards" from Hohner's National Harmonica Championships in Tamworth, Larry Adler's harmonica technician during the Australian leg of his "Glory of Gershwin Tour", two of his own CD's and guest artist on many more, he has played with many of the top artists in the music industry and has also performed a plethora of film, theatre & television work. He has distilled his unique sound from this wide experience. His current album "The Sketch" is jazz with a rock edge.
Christian has just recently won the award for best instrumental at the 1233 ABC Newcastle music awards for his tune entitled "Five Islands". Seeing him perform his material will open your mind to the versatility of the harmonica. It is an amazing experience to hear this supposedly simple instrument produce the sort of complex music that would normally be expected from a skillfully wielded saxophone or trumpet. His trademark is a particularly pure and sweet tone, which he weaves through simple melodies into lively complexity.
Christian displays a rare and awesome skill on both Chromatic & diatonic Harmonica's, and to see both types played at this level is an extremely rare experience. Christian will be performing with Edu Valk Together they are "DR Goodvibe"

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Roj & The Jamjets Adelaide's JamJets get it on with a rockabilly blues feel described by the one and only John Carlini as "a rockabilly version of Chess and Sun Records!" Don't miss them, they will definitely get you jumping. The JamJets present blues with a raw edge along with new versions of contemporary songs.The name of the game is "jump blues", featuring songs from artists such as Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Bo Diddley, Elmore James , King Curtis, and more ! The Jamjets Jump with 2006 Hohner Golden Harmonica Champion Roj Cufone up Front

Don Hopkins -Vocals/piano/keys
An influential part of Sydney's Blues scene since the 1970s, Don Hopkins was inducted into the Goulburn Australian Blues Music Festival’s  Blues Walk Of Fame in 2002. Recent CD appearances include the ARIA nominated "Little Story" by Jim Conways' Big Wheel were he sings five of his own compositions and  “Women In Blues"  with Wendy Saddington, Jeannie Lewis, Margaret RoadKnight, Kate Dunbar and Sally King.Don has also backed blues greats like sax honker, Big Jay McKneely and Chicago blues harpist, Carey Bell. Don also supported the late Bo Jocque from Louisiana. He played in Lucky Oceans’ Festival Western Swing band at the National Folk festival in 2005 and also toured Austria in that year.Don collaborated with Tina Harrod and Jackie Orszaczky on a Gospel meets Jazz Show. His most recent CD is Conjure Bag by Dr.Don’s Double Dose.Don Hopkins now leads the eight piece,“Good Rokin’ Band ”  that perform  a Fats Domino tribute show, “Walking To New Orleans”.Don will be playing the grand piano and singing with Jim Conway on blues harp for the Sydney Harmonica Festival on November 11th at Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club. They both enjoy playing in this duo format when they get the chance.

Doug has also composed & performed music for the TV Show Dining Down Under and has 3 times been the judge at The Tamworth Hohner Golden Harmonica Championships.
Doug is the founder of The Sydney Harmonica festival, which is committed to showcasing the best of Australian, & international harmonica players.Doug is a member of The Blues Preachers with John Morris their new release Cd "Next Stop Beulah Land" has been getting great reviews from Radio National & ABC radio across the country.

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EDU Valk is a unique and diverse Australian singer songwriter whose philosophical and often satirical commentary on life openly elucidates his heart. The eternal optimist, EDU's music is raw and honest, with comparisons as diverse as Van Morrison, Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, JJ Cale and David Gray - just to name a few.

Ed will be playing with Christian Marsh "Dr Goodvibe"

Join in a celebration of the Harmonica !!!!!!!!!!!