BLUESFEST TOURING PRESENTS

THE LIVING LEGENDS OF GODPEL MUSIC

THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA

The living legends of gospel music will be returning to Australian Shores with their glorious meld of gospel, blues and rock n roll. It’s harder to find a more joyful sound than their unforgettable shows filled with laughter and packed with emotion that they have finessed over seven decades of touring. The Blind Boys were formed in the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind over 70 years ago and they haven’t stopped since, their road has not been easy – but their regard in the industry is unrivalled;
Winners of 5 GRAMMY Awards and honored with the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award (2009) are just some of their career highlights. The Blind Boys have shared the stage and collaborated with the finest musicians and songwriters including Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Ben Harper, Mavis Staples, Tom Petty, John Fogerty and Peter Gabriel just to name a few.

On their last tour to Australia in 2011, TTHE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA received rave reviews from their two sold out Sydney Opera House performances, a Palais Theatre concert, sold out performances in New Zealand and standout shows at Bluesfest. They return to Australia for Bluesfest 2013 and a strictly limited number of sideshows. In Sydney and Melbourne their special guests are the uplifting Sweet Honey In The Rock – in Brisbane it is Lifetime Achievement Grammy award winner – and one of the 100 Greatest Women in Rock and Roll …..Mavis Staples.

www.blindboys.com

BLUESFEST TOURING PRESENTS

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING, ALL-WOMAN, ACAPELLA ENSEMBLE

SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK

BLUESFEST TOURING is excited to introduce Grammy award-winning, all-woman, acapella ensemble SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK. Their music is a celebration of the rich textures of their African-American legacy & traditions through their stunning vocal prowess that captures the complex sounds of Blues, traditional gospel hymns, reggae, African chants, hip hop, ancient lullabies and jazz improvisation.

Their collective voice, occasionally accompanied by hand percussion instruments, produces a sound filled with soulful, soaring harmonies and intricate rhythms that’s impossible to forget. Their 20 th album, Experience…101 was a Grammy Award nominee which led to an invitation to play a concert at the White House.

“This ensemble is the gold standard...their voices are all fabulous, and they unite to create a sound so pure, smooth and homogenous that it does not seem humanly possible.” - FORT WORTH STAR TELEGRAM Be blown away by the effortless beauty that is Sweet Honey In The Rock when they are special guests of THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA in Sydney and Melbourne.

www.sweethoney.com

BLUESFEST TOURING PRESENTS

The Undisputed King of Reggae

JIMMY CLIFF

This is REGGAE ROYALTY!!

Bluesfest Touring is proud to announce, for the very first time, a very limited number of club sideshows for the reggae pioneer, Jimmy Cliff, as a lead up to his Bluesfest debut at Easter 2013.

With a legacy stretching back nearly 50 years, Jimmy Cliff is a Grammy Award Winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, and his songs, whether a reggae fan or not, will have been part of your life….somewhere. Songs like “Wonderful World, Beautiful People”, “Vietnam”, “Wild World”, “I Can See Clearly Now”, “Sitting Here in Limbo”, “You Can Get it If You Really Want”, “The Harder They Come”, “Many Rivers To Cross” and his most successful single, ‘Hakuna Matata’, from the Lion King soundtrack, have helped him to collaborations with the likes of The Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello and Annie Lennox.. In return, his songs have been covered by Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen and Cher just to name a few.

Jimmy Cliff will be showcasing his new studio album Rebirth (2012) which was produced by none other than Tim Armstrong; the reggae-obsessed front man of American punk-rock band Rancid. Although the two may seem an unlikely pair, Armstrong has cited Jimmy as his most admired artist and Jimmy says of the collaboration "He reminded me of a lot of things that I had forgotten….He brought me back to my roots." The two have received praise for their collaboration with rave reviews including;

“It's the sound of history circling in wondrous ways” Rolling Stone

“…it’s the Cliff/Armstrong composition “Reggae Music” that’s the crowning jewel of a flawless album” Altpress

These Bluesfest sideshows are special and limited. There is bound to be huge demand for tickets to see the undisputed KING of REGGAE and the only living person to hold the prestigious Jamaican Order of Merit There’s always a lot of love and happiness and rainbow feelings when Jimmy Cliff hits the stage. Be a part of Jimmy Cliff’s rebirth - here and now….

www.jimmycliff.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/JimmyCliffVEVO
http://www.facebook.com/jimmycliffmusic
http://www.twitter.com/thejimmycliff

BLUESFEST TOURING PRESENTS

American singer-songwriter and musician

SHAWN COLVIN

“…extraordinary songs, mesmerising guitar playing, and a voice that goes effortlessly from bruise-tender to scar-hard in a matter of minutes…her lyrics are crafted and clever, full of subtlety and polished phrases…With delicious sarcasm and acerbic stories, she held the audience spellbound…her songs are so personal to her that they speak to everyone who listens.” -The Guardian

Americana folk country singer Shawn Colvin is heading our way for Bluesfest and some intimate, solo acoustic sideshows, showcasing her brand new album All Fall Down. This timeless singer-songwriter & guitarist’s first big break came when her powerful voice made the perfect balance to Suzanne Vega’s vocals in her 1987 hit “Luka,” two years later she was awarded her first Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album for her debut album, Steady On. That was the start of a career filled with accolades. Colvin has since been nominated for ten Grammy awards and won a total of three, including two of Grammy’s biggest honors, ‘Song of the Year’ and ‘Record of the Year’ for Sunny Came Home, from the album A Few Small Repairs. Over the course of a 23 year career Shawn has released nine albums, maintained a non-stop national and international touring schedule, appeared on countless television and radio programs, had her songs featured in major motion pictures, and created a remarkable canon of work.

South Dakota born Shawn’s musical career has taken on many genres, from folk to country-rock to Americana to Western Swing, which she performed during her time with the band ‘The Dixie Diesels’. Her 2012 release All Fall Down, which was produced by Nashville master guitarist and personal friend Buddy Miller maintains this range of genres. Recorded in Nashville with a group of stellar musicians, the album features performances by Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Jakob Dylan, Bill Frisell, Viktor Krauss, Brian Blade, Stuart Duncan, and Julie Miller.

Coinciding with the release of All Fall Down is the publication of ‘Diamond in the Rough’, which is an account of her life and work to date, with no holding back of the emotional demons she has faced along the way. Shawn’s emotional ups and downs are also documented throughout All Fall Down, with Shawn describing the album having themes of ‘loss’ and ‘breakups.’ It seems through this pain that Shawn really shines, with the album receiving rave reviews:

“…Shawn Colvin is probably at her best in this dark territory. The turns in her melodies are blue and beautiful, and the production here is just about pitch perfect…it’s consistently lovely orchestration, and it’s pungent and specific lyrics, this latest break-up album is strong indeed…” - Pop Matters

“All Fall Down showcases Colvin’s elegant but understated work on flat-top acoustic, with huskily downbeat vocals. This is sophisticated song craft with a twist of Americana” - Guitarist

It’s her deep and honest lyrics, beautifully crafted into passionate songs that will have you spellbound when Shawn Colvin visits Sydney & Melbourne for two special sideshows:

An Intimate Evening with JON ANDERSON – The Voice of Yes

One of the most recognisable & influential voices in progressive rock, as the lead vocalist and creative force behind the band Yes, JON ANDERSON was central to that band’s phenomenal success. Jon’s solo show includes many classic tales from his days with the supergroup and his ensuing solo career as well as the timeless songs from all across the Yes songbook & his own eclectic solo work.

Jon was the author and a major creative influence behind the series of epics produced by the legendary supergroup Yes including such complex pieces as "Close to the Edge", "Awaken", and especially "The Gates of Delirium.” Additionally, Jon co-authored the group's biggest hits, including "I've Seen All Good People," Roundabout," and "Owner Of A Lonely Heart." Noted for singing in his original Lancastrian accent, this is a chance to see this truly unique musician perform solo, up close and personal.

“Yes, Jon still is the voice...Anderson’s voice remains exquisite, never more so than on Find My Way Home, Wondrous Stories and the sublime Soon excerpt from The Gates Of Delirium.”
- EXPRESS & STAR

Irish-born JON ANDERSON, started off fronting Mabel Greer's Toyshop, before forming Yes, however his musical career has never been creatively limited. Be it working on four celebrated albums with Oscar winner Vangelis, or playing with the likes of Toto, Glass Hammer, Dream Theatre, Kitaro, King Crimson, Mike Oldfield, Peter Machajdik, Gowan, Rick Wakeman's concept album '1984' and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones or producing 13 highly acclaimed solo albums. Jon has always found different avenues for creativity, be it composing and playing with dozens of orchestras throughout the world, composing ballet scores or contributing to countless film scores and painting.

2013 will mark JON ANDERSON’s first ever solo Bluesfest and sideshow appearances. A masterful musician, a weaver of stories both verbal and musical, JON ANDERSON will make these nights linger long in the memory.

http://www.jonanderson.com/
http://www.myspace.com/jonandersonmusic

BLUESFEST TOURING PRESENTS

BEN CAPLAN (solo)

A Bluesfest debut and first Australian Sideshows.

Introducing Halifax, Canada’s very own Ben Caplan. This rugged, raspy and roaring gentleman, who we think you just have to hear, is to folklore what smoke is to bourbon - perfectly coupled. Ben’s songwriting is as bold in range as it is in ferocity. Fuelled by a quality of melodrama and powerful lyricism, it’s the romance and the manhood crashing with his voice that gives Ben a truly innovative and experimental artistry. A sound that bridges the gap between controlled composition and unruly passion.

“Caplan has an incredible live energy. His voice is strong and sturdy, like something you trust. His words feel like the truth and every bit of anguish he utters comes bellowing up from deep inside his belly.” - Alan Cross Striding in pace Ben Caplan has marked his place in the Canadian music landscape with a growling spirit similar to that of Tom Waits or Seasick Steve. His tours have extended throughout the Commonwealth, the rhapsodic energy in his live show an elegant cacophony gaining attention around the world. Touring since 2006, this rugged rogue has just been nominated for 7 music Scotia Awards & performed at the rolodex of festivals. Now it’s our turn.

“With his heavy beard, ragged mop of hair and honey--‐coated voice, Caplan looks like he stepped out of an ancient, seafaring novel. But his sound is gristled folk--‐blues with an Eastern European edge.” - The Ottawa Sun

Breaking between guitar, banjo, piano, and melodica, Caplan’s stage show is almost reminiscent of a burly and bearded Freddy Mercury; a raging, strong, and exploratory songwriter. It’s the blues in his soul, and the heart in your chest pounding as one that lead to Ben Caplan being named the "Buzz Band of the 2012 East Coast Music Awards" By CBC Music and makes him an act not to be missed when he comes by your town after his Bluesfest debut next Easter. Be there for his first ever Australian shows – Ben Caplan is a legend in the making !