Canberra Blues Society upcoming events

Learning The Blues - Vocal Workshop (10 Oct 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 03:00:00 GMT

The Canberra Blues Society (CBS) is conducting workshops for interested musicians, performers from beginners to intermediate standard and for anyone, CBS member or family and friends who would like to learn more about “The Blues”.

This workshop is being conducted by Jill Williams on VOCALS, and will be held on Saturday 10 October 2026 from 2pm - 4pm in the Keller Bar at the Harmonie German Club Narrabundah.

Participants at all workshops will be given a history of “The Blues” from its beginnings to where it has developed to today. It will highlight the instrument or vocal style being conducted at the particular workshop.

About our presenter Jill Williams -

Jill was accepted into the Canberra School of Music (Jazz Vocals) in the early 1990s as a student of Gery Scott and has performed and collaborated with fellow musicians ever since.

Early performances include:

Canberra School of Music CD “Together”

Tin Pan Alley (Top of the Cross)

Between the Champagne and Gossip (School of Arts Cafe)

Melody Magic (Primary Schools and Westfield)

In the early 2000s, Jill stepped back from performing to teach and coach. She taught primarily at The Music Learning Centre and a year at Llewellyn Hall (Jazz Vocals) and coaching “Sweet Mischief” and Musical Director for “The Dark Side Divas”.

In 2012 Jill returned to performing with Karen Bradley, Lisa McClelland and Gaye Reid as “The Marvellous MizDemeanours” with John Hill on piano and Ben Schuman on drums. “The Marvellous MizDemeanours” performed around Australia including Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, South Coast as well as Canberra. During this time Jill was collaborating with Karen Bradley on an original Australian musical comedy called “Winging My Way to the Top” which ran at the “Q” Theatre Queanbeyan for two weeks in 2014. Jill and Karen co-wrote 13 of the original songs and the book for that show.

MEMBERS: $15

NON-MEMBERS: $20

Bondi Cigars @ The Zeppelin Room (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Canberra Blues Society proudly presents BONDI CIGARS.

This award-winning quartet has well and truly established themselves into Australia’s musical heart since forming in 1989.

When the Bondi Cigars were first gigging around Sydney, late 1989, they moved in a blues/R&B circuit which, while robust enough since the 60s, had then been sparked into new life by the ‘blues revival’ of the mid-80’s, spearheaded by Robert Cray, Joe Louis Walker, Stevie Ray Vaughan and similar crusaders. And while many of the Sydney bands from that era have vanished, become historical footnotes or undergone major changes, the Cigars – true survivors – have battled on, without ever compromising their distinctive no nonsense style, to become a leading force in Australian R&B.

That original Cigars line-up brought together four like-minded experienced players, all veterans of Sydney inner-west blues venues, and from the word go, the Cigars have been the very model of the ‘no passengers’ band, a well-oiled machine plus soul: no room for slackers here.

The Bondi Cigars have also built a solid reputation as one of the best live acts in the country.

Always one of the country’s hardest working outfits (on the road more than off), the Cigars have kept their music tight, hard-driving and down-to-earth: the Australian bar band par excellence.

Shane Pacey (vocals and guitar) - Alan Britton (bass and vocals)

Eben Hale (guitar and vocals) - Frank Corby (drums)

Special guest support: Divine Devilles Trio

Tickets: CBS Members - $35, Non-members - $40, Door - $45

Doors open 7 pm Show starts 8 pm

Canberra Blues Society October Pro Blues Jam - hosted by Judi Pearce and the Arrangement (18 Oct 2026)

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Judi Pearce and the Arrangement hosts the OCTOBER Pro Blues Jam

Judi Pearce and The Arrangement have been performing in the Canberra and South Coast regions for over twenty years.

Judi has worked as a professional singer since childhood, recording jingles for EMI in Sydney from the age of 10. As a teenager, Judi performed as a singer/guitarist around the folk scene before a move into rock and punk her early 20s. From there, Judi fronted the blues and soul band ‘The Convertibles’.

After moving to Canberra, Judi performed with ‘The Blues Cowgirls’ and ‘The Business’, winning awards including:

‘Best Female Vocalist‘ – Canberra Blues Society 2003
‘Best Album’ – Canberra Blues Society, for Ask Any Woman, recorded with The Blues Cowgirls
The Chain Award for ‘Best Female Vocalist 2006’ for the album ‘Everybody Wants Some’, recorded with The Business.

Forming ‘The Arrangement’ has provided an opportunity for Judi and the band to have fun re-arranging soul, blues, jazz and funk tunes, to create a sound with an emphasis on groove and swing.

Judi Pearce and the Arrangement features:

Judi Pearce - vocals/percussion
Nicky King - vocals/percussion
Artem Grigoriev - guitar
Dean Edgecombe - bass
Murv Cowell - drums
James Hoogstad - tenor sax/harmonicas

The host band will be followed by some of the finest musicians in the Canberra region and surrounds, jamming together for a fabulous afternoon of live blues music.

And, as always; bring your friends, your instrument, your voice or just your dancing shoes!!

CBS members: $10 / General: $15 / kids under 16: Free Entry

Jammers are expected to meet a competent standard of musicianship and be familiar with standard 3-chord, 12-bar blues songs.
CBS provides a lyric folder of classic blues songs if required.
If this is your first time, ask to speak to the Jam Session Coordinator to secure a place in a jam session.
Jammers are encouraged to have their names on the whiteboard by 1pm.
Late arrivals (after 1.30pm) cannot be guaranteed a spot in the Jam Session.
The coordinator will try to give everyone an opportunity to perform.
A rehearsed act may do a set as a band if it is prearranged at least 24 hours in advance of the jam by contacting the musicians representative via the contact us or the enquire now buttons.

NOTE: This is a Blues Jam so it is expected that blues orientated songs will be played.

Kevin Borich Express @ The Zeppelin Room (6 Nov 2026)

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 08:00:00 GMT

KEVIN BORICH EXPRESS @ THE ZEPPELIN ROOM

Canberra Blues Society proudly presents Kevin Borich Express with special guest support James Southwell.

With a professional career spanning over 50 years, Kevin Borich has done it all. Beginning with the LA- DE- DA’S in New Zealand, writing the classic hit ‘Gonna See My Baby Tonight’, to his KEVIN BORICH EXPRESS and The PARTY BOYS, Kevin has performed at some of the biggest Rock events Australia has seen.

From the Historical SUNBURY Festivals - the ROCKARENAS in the 70’s with crowds of 60,000 people, featuring FLEETWOOD MAC, THE LITTLE RIVER BAND & SANTANA (with whom he was invited onstage to play with) to the New Years Event at the Sydney Opera House with 170,000 people telecast live nationally and internationally to Japan at that time, a first! Numerous support shows for international acts, ELTON JOHN, STATUS QUO, JEFF BECK, BUDDY GUY & PETER FRAMPTON to name a few.

Kevin has carved out a revered reputation in the Australian Music Industry, performing his music with a youthful exuberance, - giving extra meaning to the word LONGEVITY. Kevin has played and recorded with artists such as Renee’ Geyer `Blues License’ - Dutch Tilders `The Blues Had a Baby ‘- Richard Clapton `Prussian Blue’, Jamming with Carlos twice, also with Bo Diddley, Richie Blackmore (Deep Purple), Ron Wood (Rolling Stones), John Mayall, Taj Mahal & members of Living Colour. Overseas tours and tours with Jimmy Barnes, Renee’ Geyer, Mark Hunter, and being Co Founder member, and author of the Party Boys name have added spice to his career.

Well known for his high-energy electric guitar style, his performance is hailed throughout the music industry as world class. He also starred in the hugely successful 18 ‘Sold Out’ Australia wide ‘Long Way To The Top’ 2002 arena concerts.

In recognition of His contribution to Australian music and blues culture, he was inducted into the Australian Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.

Guest support: JAMES SOUTHWELL - a powerhouse performer who has been electrifying audiences across Australia and New Zealand for nearly two decades. Blending raw blues, funky grooves, and rock ‘n’ roll energy, James commands the stage with unforgettable performances. With a career rooted in a deep love of blues and a fearless approach to pushing musical boundaries, James has become one of Australia’s top blues and rock acts. James recently won the Sydney Blues Society Blues Challenge (band category).

Pre-sales: CBS members $40 / General $45 (pre-sale ends 6 November @ 6:30pm)

Door: $50

Doors open 7pm Show starts 8pm

Zevon Lee band (VIC) + ISEULA band (VIC) + Moondog (ACT) @ The Zeppelin Room (5 Dec 2026)

Sat, 05 Dec 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Emerging from the heart of Melbourne’s dynamic music scene, Zevon Lee is a rising force in blues, soul, and pop. Seamlessly blending soulful vocals, electrifying blues guitar and sharp pop sensibilities, Zevon’s sound defies easy categorization - offering audiences a distinctive and captivating musical experience.

Zevon was bitten by the blues music bug very early in life. He was gifted his first Stratocaster at age five and the first concert he ever attended was BB King with his father. It seems that his future was predetermined.

After paying his dues in a rockin’ high school band, things gradually got more serious. Beginning with Sure Shot Hunters, he begun to make a name for himself on the Melbourne music scene and gained popular residencies at venues such as Revellers Bar in Chapel Street and Cherry Bar in the city.

In 2024, Zevon released three standout singles, each showcasing his dynamic range and knack for blending old-school vibes with fresh energy. In 2025 he released the highly anticipated EP 'The Only One’, including a blues-drenched collection that promises to capture the essence of his roots while pushing the boundaries of the genre.

Zevon’s energy on stage is electric, drawing crowds with his no-nonsense, powerhouse shows that are all about music that feels real. With original arrangements powered by top-tier musicianship and a standout live presence, Zevon Lee and his super hot band are a must-see!!!

ISEULA is a Melbourne/Naarm soul and blues artist with a powerhouse voice, blending soul, neo-soul, jazz and R&B.

Drawing inspiration from the deep-rooted sounds of Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and classic 1950's soul, ISEULA rose to national prominence as the lead singer of the Melbourne Blues Band 'Blue Eyes Cry', winning two Chain Awards and was named Female Artist of the Year for Victoria and Tasmania.

(A bit of trivia - Blue Eyes Cry performed at our Winter Blues Party celebrating the 1st International Blues Music Day back in August 2013.)

Since leaving that band ISEULA launched an active solo band project in 2021/22. Backed by an all-star band, she delivers groove-rich, emotionally charged performances that move audiences and leave a lasting impression.

Special Guest Support - Blues powerhouse Moondog is a master of the blues harmonica and a formidable guitarist, singer and songwriter.

He shares songs and stories of his many journeys into the heartland of the Blues, where he spent over 10 years exploring juke joints, speak easy and blues bars from Chicago through to St Louis, Memphis, Mississippi, New Orleans, Nashville and parts of Texas.

In 2015 he represented Bridgetown Blues at the annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN and in 2016 he performed at Chicago Bluesfest on the Windy City Blues Society stage.

This event would be ideal for your work or group Xmas Party celebration.

Pre-sales: CBS members $40 / General $45 (pre-sale ends 5 December @ 6:30pm)

Door: $50

Doors open 6.30pm Show starts 7.30pm

ZEVON LEE - 'Sweet Cup'

ISEULA - 'Bye Bye Baby'

MOONDOG - 'Dimples'