Canberra Blues Society upcoming events

Learning The Blues - Harmonica Workshop (11 Apr 2026)

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

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

The workshops will be held over two hours on Saturday afternoons, with the first one scheduled for Saturday 11 April 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.

The first Workshop is being conducted by James Hoogstad and Steve Hartnett on the Harmonica.

If attending the workshop, please bring your Harmonicas in C, A & D. Please also bring a harp microphone and cable suitable for a guitar amp (if you have them).

About our Presenters:

James Hoogstad – Blues Harmonica and Tenor Saxophone

Started playing blues harp at school age too long ago. Cut his musical teeth in Adelaide blues outfit ‘Too Many Cats’, with other blues soul and rock bands following.Moving to Canberra, worked in local rhythm & blues bands including, ‘Naked Soul,’ ‘Judi Pearce and the Arrangement’ ‘Minglewood Blues Band’, ’The Jukes’ ‘The Turnaround’ ‘Dean Edgecombe and the Seventh Sons”, and ‘The Blooz”. Blues harp has been there for the whole ride!

Steve Hartnett - Harmonica and Vocals

Steve has been a mainstay of Canberra's blues music scene for decades, both as a player and as a long-serving member of the CBS committee (he is currently Vice-President). He has appeared with a veritable "who's who" of Canberra blues band and brings a distinctive and melodic voice to his instrument.

Canberra Blues Society April Pro Blues Jam (19 Apr 2026)

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 03:00:00 GMT

DEAN EDGECOMBE AND THE SEVENTH SONS hosts the APRIL Pro Blues Jam

Dean Edgecombe and the Seventh Sons first got together way back in 2000 to realise a shared desire to present the early electric Blues sounds of Chicago, Texas, Memphis and Kansas City to modern audiences. In the past, the band has mostly kept it pretty casual, gigging in the blues friendly rooms around Canberra with a fairly fluid line up of players.

The band line up has now stabilised with Dean Edgecombe on bass and vocals, Rob West on drums and vocals, Artem Grigoriev on guitar and James Hoogstad on tenor sax and harmonica. Over the past three years the Seventh Sons have gigged solidly around Canberra and southern New South Wales. In 2025 they released their second album “The Midnight End of Town”, which received positive reviews and radio airplay on Community Blues programs around Australia.

The Seventh Sons set is a great mix of classic and original R&B, Blues and Roots music with the odd curve ball thrown in for good measure. Their songs are presented with respect, excellent musicianship and a sense of fun. The Seventh Sons will take you everywhere the Blues has been and then some.

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.

Canberra Blues Society Jam Workshop | Wed 6 May 2026 (6 May 2026)

Wed, 06 May 2026 08:30:00 GMT

Our popular Jam Workshops are designed for musicians who want to build their skills and gain experience playing blues in a real band environment. You’ll receive advice and mentoring from a house band made up of some of our finest players.

Three tunes are introduced by the house band before participants are invited to jump in and play. While these sessions won’t teach you how to play your instrument, they will help you understand blues structures, develop ensemble awareness, and learn how to play confidently with musicians you’ve never rehearsed with.

Our goal is to provide a supportive, inclusive space where players—especially those with less experience—can perform in a relaxed band setting.

The selection of tunes for each workshop is posted in the Workshop Facebook Group under Files.

Jamming at the Workshop

Note: Photographs of participants in CBS Jam Workshops are taken and posted on Facebook and other social media platforms for promotional purposes.

Barrow of Fiends @ CBS Pro Jam Harmonie German Club (17 May 2026)

Sun, 17 May 2026 03:00:00 GMT

Chase The Sun and Friends @ The Zeppelin Room (29 May 2026)

Fri, 29 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Canberra Blues Society proudly presents Chase The Sun with special guests Corey Legge and the Legacy.

Long time stalwarts of Aussie Blues-rock shred, Chase The Sun have roots planted in the blues scene but have been letting their love of rock and roll fully hang out since forming in 2007. Crowd favourites at festivals all over the country, Chase The Sun infuse their take on the blues with loud guitar, blazing hard funk and a cranking 70’s southern rock feel.

Chase The Sun features the powerhouse delivery and soul-tinged song writing of guitarist Jan Rynsaardt combined with elements of acoustic blues, stoner rock Psychedelia and Stevie Ray Vaughn boogie - this three-piece crank out their own take on a classic sound.

Pre-sales: CBS members $32 / General $35

Door: $40

Hendrix & Heroes - Steve Edmonds Band @ The Zeppelin Room (27 Jun 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT

The Steve Edmonds Band Jimi Hendrix Tribute Show is a heartfelt tribute to the great music and imagery of Jimi Hendrix and a tribute to the greatest guitar songs and bands of the 70’s.

Steve Edmonds is a veteran of the Australian music industry and greater guitar community. His working and recording credits include Jimmy Barnes, Delta Goodrem, Billy Thorpe, Australian Idol and Renee Geyer to name only a few.

In addition Edmonds is the musical director for the Australian edition of the internationally acclaimed “EXPERIENCE HENDRIX” concerts featuring Australia’s premier guitar talent. Jimi Hendrix’s sister (Janie) recently introduced and has approved the Empire Touring “EXPERIENCE HENDRIX” show. This show featured at BLUESFEST in 2017 and was a highly acclaimed event.

The Steve Edmonds Band Jimi Hendrix Tribute Show is a two part blues rock experience where Steve and band will take you on a tour de force through Jimi Hendrix’s most popular tunes. Then in SET 2 will leave you breathless on the dance floor as they hammer through some of the BIGGEST GUITAR ANTHEMS of the biggest bands of the 70’s ROCK Genre!

In part one the band pay tribute to Hendrix’s most famous live performances from Woodstock to Monterey Pop, featuring classic hits including Voodoo Chile, Foxy Lady, Purple Haze, Little Wing and many more favourites.

Part two is a dedication to the classic rock songs of the 70’s including songs by Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, The Doors, Thin Lizzy, Cream, ZZ Top and many more.

Overall the Steve Edmonds Band Jimi Hendrix Tribute Show is a must for fans of great CLASSIC 70's style guitar driven rock and Jimi Hendrix devotees. A fun night out for real rock and rollers!

Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm

Pre-sales: CBS members $27 / General $30 (pre-sales ends 6pm 27 June)

Door: $35

Wally and Eric Crew @ CBS Pro Jam Harmonie German Club (19 Jul 2026)

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 03:00:00 GMT

International Blues Music Day 2026 - Blues Guitar Roadshow and CBS IBMD Party (1 Aug 2026)

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Canberra Blues Society Presents INTERNATIONAL BLUES MUSIC DAY 2026

CELEBRATE International Blues Music Day with the Blues Guitar Roadshow and Canberra Blues Society IBMD Party. Two shows in one ticket!

THE BLUES GUITAR ROADSHOW: 3 pm - 6 pm

"The Ensemble Spectacular" is coming to Canberra for the first time for International Blues Music Day! THE BLUES GUITAR ROADSHOW Brings the thrill of a Music festival in one unforgettable show.

Headlining the Roadshow, Direct from the US, is the one and only ANA POPOVIC! An irresistible force in the world of contemporary Blues music. Hailed as "one Helluva guitar-Player" by Bruce Springsteen, the Blues guitar Roadshow is thrilled to have the Award Winning, hard Touring Guitar Slinger coming to light up the stage!

Also Featuring Australian Blues Legends, Geoff Achison (Vic), Ray Beadle (Sydney) The McNaMarr Project (Andrea Marr, John McNamara) (Vic), Simon Kinny-Lewis (Sydney), Corey Legge (NSW), Angus Burchall (John Farnham Band), Andrew Fry, Shane Gilbert, Richard Tankard & local legends and great friends of the Canberra Blues Society: Chris Harland and Liam McAllister!

Hot from Sold Out shows & Standing Ovations Don't miss this fast paced Celebration of Blues Music. Showcase sets and a Show Stopping All Star Jam that has to be seen to be believed.
Book your tix today to see Live Music at it's Very Best.

CBS IBMD Party: 7 pm - 10.30 pm

The Blues Guitar Roadshow will be followed by the CBS IBMD Party to keep you dancing late into the night!

Featuring:

Nick Charles (VIC)
Chris Harland Blues Band (ACT)
The Sunbears (ACT)

Over 6 hours of live Blues music!!!

Great Raffle Prizes!!!

Doors: 2pm

Showtime: 3.00 pm - 10.30 pm

Venue: The Zeppelin Room (Harmonie German Club)

NOTE: PRE-SALES ENDS AT 2 PM 1 AUGUST. Tickets will then be available at the door.

TICKET PRICES

Pre-Sale

CBS Members - $85
General - $89
Children - $80

Door

All tickets - $95

Enquiries: events@canberrabluessociety.com.au