Performers at the April 2010 Blues Picnic

Hard to Handle

www.myspace.com/johnmichaelz
www.myspace.com/thehipshooters

The greatest blues/rock band to ever come from the bay of plenty. Enough said.

Brilleaux

Brilleaux play high-energy, hard, driving, British-style rhythm and blues in the style of bands such as Dr Feelgood and Wilko Johnson, and in a similar vein to earlier exponents of the genre such as The Pretty Things, Early Rolling Stones and Johnny Kid and the Pirates. Brilleaux have 5 albums to their credit, the latest of which is due for release in August, 2009. A typical set by Brilleaux consists of a mixture of R&B Classics and exciting original material that these masters of Rhythm and Blues have been performing at festivals around the country since 1999.

There is nobody in the country playing R&B like these guys.

It is unique, refreshing and extremely lively. If you are looking for slow, cruisey, relaxing renditions of old blues classics then you have got the wrong band! These guys go from 0-100 mph in the first set! Ladies and gentlemen, Stack the chairs, and clear the dancefloor - Welcome to the Brilleaux Show - maximum R&B.

Peri Kohu

Huria based Tauranga blues singer, guitarist, band leader and busker, Peri has always been keepin’ the faith, representing the best of great Pacific blues. His emotional guitar and authentic blues voice are legendary. He played the Auckland blues scene with his great band The Blues Busters (with Bud Hooper, Mike Parker, Sonny Day, Brian Glamuzina) as well as the Willie Dayson Blues Band before returning to the Bay.

Mike Garner

www.mikegarner.co.nz

Mike has played in New Zealand, England, Australia, Italy and Germany. His 5th CD was released in January 2007. He toured New Caledonia in August 2007, The Cook Islands in 2008 and at the Himalayan Blues Festival, Kathmandu in 2009.

Joel Shadbolt and the Elektric Five Band

Joel has been wowing BOP audiences since he first appeared on the blues scene aged 12 yrs old. Now at fifteen he's cooking hotter than ever having just returned from a jaw dropping tour of the States which included meeting and playing with Buddy Guy's band. Already a seasoned band leader he is a beacon of hope for the future of New Zealand Blues.

Grant Haua Trio

www.myspace.com/granthaua

Grant has been performing professionally for 15 years, both locally and overseas. During his countless hours on stage he has gathered a range of skills that can only be acquired through hard work and dedication.
In his own words: “Blues, to me, is based on raw emotion so I always try to use that to my advantage. You must sing each song as if it’s going to be your last - I have found that the crowd responds to this more than anything else.”

Jan Preston

www.janpreston.com

JAN PRESTON, Kiwi Expat, is recognised as Australia`s “Queen of Boogie Woogie Piano”, the jazz / blues style of fast, uplifting and rhythmic piano music which engages and excites audiences.
Jan is also a masterful entertainer and communicator and is gathering a strong fan base with performances and CD sales throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.
She has won 3 Best Female Blues Artists Awards, was the 2003 Sydney Blues Performer of the Year, and has played on the same stage as Bo Diddley, Harry Manx, Little Willie Littlefield and Germany’s Vince Weber.
Jan has proven her popularity with multiple invitations from virtually every jazz, blues and folk music festival in Australasia. She has just returned from a successful 4th tour of Europe.

One woman, a piano and a whole lot of talent
Edinburgh Festival

Within her genre, Preston is a wonderful artist and a great purveyor of the historic blues sound, With her sassy vocals and timeless blues and jazz piano licks, Jan Preston brings the sound of yesterday into our modern world.
Review by Tyler Hersey, Scoop in NZ, Feb. 27.

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