East Coast International Blues & Roots Music Festival, Byron Bay

At Easter 2003, 2005 and 2007 Slim and Dr. Baz played shows at what is the largest and most interesting blues festival in the Southern Hemisphere, the annual East Coast Blues and Roots Festival, (which just happens to be held in their own backyard  - in Byron Bay, Australia).

For lovers of the authentic music experience, it's an absolute must to get to this fabulous, over-the-top event - it just can't be compared for colour, atmosphere, musical excitement, and wide-ranging diversity of top musical talent!

It's huge, crowded and it usually rains...but it's got it all musically-speaking.

The 2003 festival featured some pretty cool music artists, such as Ben Harper, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Johnnie Johnson, Marva Wright, Michelle Shocked, Jimmie Vaughn, Angelique Kidjo, Jack Johnson, Eric Burdon, Robert Randolph and many more.

[ click this link to see some images from the East Coast Blues & Roots Festival, Byron Bay, 2003 ]

In 2005 the Byron Bues Fest went off on a tangent with a different range of artists including John Lee Hooker jr., but also heading with some less blues oriented acts such as REM, Missy Higgins just to name a few.

For the 2005 Byron BluesFest extravaganza Slim & Doctor Baz were joined by talented percussionist / vocalist Neil McCann.

Neil McCann is a unique multi-instrumentalist, with subtle and sophisticated skills in the percussion department and strong vocal/vocal harmony abilities. Neil also has high-level acoustic guitar skills and perfectly understands and complements their musical feel and vision.

2007 Byron Blues Fest - bigger and better than ever. Again we were priveleged to be joined by Doc Spann on harmonica for our closing song "(What's the matter with) the Mill".

To view photos of this amazing bash click here -

a slide show, which includes a classic shot of a weatherbeaten Doctor Baz amongst the line-up of illustrious blues luminaries.

Slim & Baz follow up the Byron Bay Blues Fest with a showcase at the emerging Blues on BroadBeach Festival on Queensland's Gold Coast (www.bluesonbroadbeach.com ).

Each year  their  sets have  pulled a huge crowd as if from nowhere, and the audience response has been nothing short of sensational.

In the festival tradition  they are regularly joined for a spot of spontaneous combustion by seasoned blues harpman Doc Span who has become a close buddy over the past few years.

(see Doc Span's website, made by Dr. Baz, at : docspan.net )