An international blues duo are set for their only performance in Canberra – and entry to see them is free!
Direct from New Orleans, the ‘mind-blowing harp tone’ of Johnny Sansone is pairing with Australia’s ‘first lady of the blues’ Fiona Boyes, in their only performance in Canberra at the National Press Club on Thursday 11 January.
Johnny Sansone picked up the guitar and harmonica by the time he was 10, and had a life changing experience at 12 when he saw a Howlin’ Wolf show in Florida. That was the moment the young Sansone knew he was destined to play the blues as his lifetime vocation.
He led the life of an itinerant bluesman, traveling around the USA from temporary bases in Colorado, Austin, Florida and Chicago before settling down in New Orleans in 1990. As leader of Jumpin’ Johnny & the Blues Party, Sansone played harmonica and guitar in the fierce Mississippi delta blues style heard on his 1987 debut Where Y’at? and his1991 release Mister Good Thing.
Fiona Boyes, an Australian blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, has been recording and performing for more than 25 years, building a career that has taken her to major festivals and stages around the world. A veteran recording artist with 15 releases, Australia’s first lady of the Blues has been honored with 7 USA Blues Music Award nominations in 5 different categories over the years.
She’s also received more than 30 Australian music awards, spanning the blues, folk, jazz and Americana scenes. Fiona’s immersion in the wide musical and historical traditions that make up the Blues and her deep love of the art-form itself lends conviction and authenticity to her playing and songwriting.
Johnny Sansone and Fiona Boyes play the National Press Club on Thursday 11 January.
