Blues Across the Bay plans progress well

Planning for the 18th Patonga Blues Across the Bay music festival is progressing well, according to organisers.

The festival will start on November 2 and the artist line-up will include Russell Morris, Steve Weston and Minnie Marks.

The festival is organised by Patonga Blues Committee, a sub-committee of the Patonga Sport and Community Club.

The club coordinates several events around the Patonga area with Blues Across the Bay being one of their most enduring successes.

Patonga Blues committee member Mr Ray Laboyrie said the annual event was accessible only by water, with most patrons travelling by ferry.

It drew boat-owning blues lovers, who took advantage of the boat-friendly Patonga village to enjoy a day of jazz, roots and blues music, he said.

Prospective festival goers were encouraged to check the festival's website for information about travelling to and from the event, including boat access and anchoring locations.

Speaking about the performers, Mr Laboyrie said: "Fifty years ago, Russell Morris became the first Australian artist to score consecutive number one singles with his first two releases, The Real Thing, which is one of the classic psychedelic singles of the 60s, and Part Three into Paper Walls.

"Both reached the top spot on the ARIA Chart, and what followed was one of the most prolific careers in contemporary Australian music," Mr Laboyrie said.

Mr Laboyrie said Steve "West" Weston had a solid claim to being London's top harmonica man.

"His tone is extraordinary, as is his taste and style, and within his chosen field, old style Chicago-West Coast harp playing.

"His work on the harp is at once deep in the tradition of harmonica masters Sonny Boy Williamson II and Little Walter, while at the same time pushing that tradition forward."

Joining Weston as his touring band is Tomcat Playground.

Mr Laboyrie said Minnie Marks rounded out the line-up.

"Minnie is not just some blazingly electrified acoustic guitar playing freak of nature, but also a rare triple threat," he said.

"As a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, her set will take you on a dizzying, riff rock rollercoaster ride with songs written over the past years of her musical journey around the world."

Mr Laboyrie said tickets were available and were expected to sell out fast.

SOURCE:

Media release, 27 Jun 2019

Ray Laboyrie, Patonga Blues