BENNY FOWLER

Benny's music fuses pacific flavours with the raw sounds of the Australian East Coast. With a band behind him, he creates hypnotic soundscapes underpinned by painfully catchy melodies. When you hear Benny solo, his beautifully poignant lyrics and prowess for songwriting are unmistakable and mesmerising

DOS ENOS

An act that will get you dancing while also pulling your heartstrings, Dos Enos will have you blissed out in a haze of thoughtfully crafted synth pop gems and spontaneous psychedelic jams, taking you to that place good music takes you.

GEORGE BISHOP

George Bishop is a well-travelled musical genius with an honest, raw talent. His shows are multi-instrumentalist extravaganzas which offer unforgettable experiences. George lives and breathes music – and his smile is the best.

LIFE IS A MYTH

With roots in jazz, hip hop, and lo-fi beats, Life Is A Myth (LIAM) is the latest project from multi-instrumentalist Liam Kirk (Gold Coast). Settle in for a session of chill beats and rolling grooves with instrumental tracks that will make you feel like you’re at a party by the poolsid

MONSTRESS

Monstress is a vibrant all female quartet who bring something different and unique to the table. Led by Sarah Homeh, whose sultry voice is accompanied by a driving rhythm section and a sexy saxophone, Monstress will make you stop – then make you dance. A unique blend of RnB, jazz, funk, and spoken word poetry, and all with tertiary background in jazz performance, come along and party with them and their diverse and definitive style.

PHOTO OF THE MOON

“Made of hurt, made of charcoal, made of bird sound”. Photo of the Moon hypnotizes audiences with a mountainous voice and intoxicating lyrics. Appearing as a duo, with drums, guitars, and tight vocal harmonies, Photo of the Moon will hit you with tenderness and ferocity.

STEVE GARY TRIO

Steve Gary trio is a meeting of friends. They bring a wealth of experience and great love & flair for the blues. Steve is a notable blues singer . Carolyn is a brilliant musician, Dave is an accomplished guitarist - if this band was a trio of dips, Dave would be the hommus. Sit back & enjoy the ride.

THE LACHIE MILLS QUINTET

a new musical venture for this quintet of young musicians local to the Wollongong and Kiama areas, the Lachie Mills Quintet plays a fresh mix of enduring jazz standards, Latin rhythms, and contemporary fusion repertoire. Drums, bass, keys, guitar and trombone combine to have you tapping your feet and having fun.

THE WATER RUNNERS

The Water Runners play a high energy blend of original, contemporary, Australian folk with bluegrass, country and roots influences. Drawing on cross-generational experiences and tastes, The Water Runners enjoy sharing stories—particularly local stories—and always involve the audience. The band connects with young and old alike through their fine musicianship, tight harmonies and stage-crafted performances.

12 BAR DUDES

Great players with years of experience, 12 Bar Dudes have put together a repertoire of finely crafted original acoustic blues tunes along with a selection of contemporary blues tunes from the likes of Keb Mo, Jonny Lang, Ray Beadle, Mike Bloomfield, Eric Bibb, Eric Clapton and many more. These guys are comfortable performers & give it all they have got.

COREY LEGGE

Corey Legge is an alt-country solo act with a blues/folk/rock twist. Based in Wollongong but originally from Bega NSW, Corey has released two albums in two years and was set to tour Europe in 2021. Corey is the frontman of blues-rock band The Swamp Stompers, who played at Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival in 2020. 

FRANK SULTANA

A wash with vintage guitar tones and primitive rhythms, Frank Sultana’s raw & soulful voice bleeds with the experience of the characters he writes and sings about. In one breath, his songs are dark and dirty, joyous and hopeful.

HORSE DRAWN CADILLAC

HDC is a super-charged 6-piece that mixes blues standards with hidden treasures from the deep vault of musical heritage from New Orleans via Chicago, and with their own southern-drenched originals

MICHAEL J BRADY TRIO

Formed in 2016, the Michael J Brady Trio explores the air that exists between 10 strings and a set of drums. Allowing each of their voices to weave in and out, they are bound by melodies that hang above a deep groove. Drawing on a background in indie rock, free improvisation, and modern jazz, this trio is sincere, personal, and deeply in the moment.

MOON DOG

Moondog is a master of the blues harmonica, and a formidable guitarist, singer and songwriter. His voice holds a deep authenticity reminiscent of the great Blues singers who define the genre.  Moondog is a veteran vocalist of the WA Hip Hop scene, and has performed at Blues festivals around the world.

RED WINE ROSES

Red Wine Roses are an eclectic band that have been described as “five different cats with five different record stacks”. Swapping their blues roots for something a little funkier, RWR are finally on the cusp of their first full-length album. Now rooted in funk, soul and rock, every track has its own flavour and tells a story from a different place.

TALL SHAUN & THE RESOLUTION BLUES

Shaun Wessel, former frontman of popular South Coast outfit The Swaggers, heads in a new direction with his new band Tall Shaun & The Resolution Blues – teaming up with Brad Parsons on bass, Hayden Moore on drums and Ben Mc Cormack on guitar, for a combination of original blues, roots and reggae. This groovy four piece is a quintessential mix of tight drum and bass hits with some nostalgic guitar licks and leads. Think The Doors with a little sprinkle of Ocean Alley over the top!

THE SUNBEARS

Throwing everything they have into each note, The SunBears are an immersive, energetic and original contemporary blues trio with the sort of show you have to see to believe. Playing music that is lyrically deep and personal, yet speaking to things everyone has felt, The SunBears are a perfect example of empowering blues at its best.

TRIPLE KARMA

Triple Karma are a soul-jazz outfit established in Sydney in 2007, with Rod Bartley on Hammond organ/keyboards, Shaun Quinn on drums and Jerome Peters on guitar. Blending jazz, blues, funk, soul and beyond, they are passionate about showcasing and covering awesome artists, past and present. A Festival Favourite – Welcome back!

DE4D

Bringing post-punk jazz and noise with some nods to traditional songwriting, DE4D are an eccentric duo from Kiama NSW Australia. They will be launching a collaborative EP that features two other festival favourites: Frank Sultana and Dog & Bell.

GEORGE & BEN (SPECIAL DUO!)

Benny Fowler & George Bishop pair up for a Festival Special with what will undoubtedly be a beautiful and fun set for everyone to enjoy. Not to be missed!

LIAM WRIGHT

Liam Wright is a 21-year-old singer-songwriter based in Melbourne, whose guitar sounds and unique vocals create a mash-up of folk and rock which will have your eyes glued to the stage. His live performances are filled with raw emotion, but also enough rhythm to keep heads bopping. This Triple J Unearthed artist is one of the new voices in Australian folk, and is on his way to big things.

MITCH GRAINGER

Mitch Grainger is a perfect paradox. A white guy from Australia, that infuses the blues genre’s traditional styling’s with a confidence, and depth of spirit, that has him being compared to the likes of Robert Johnson* by American music critics. We are super happy to have this talented musician at the KJBF.

PENNY HARTGERINK

Penny is a local Kiama musician best known as the former lead singer of reggae/rock band “Penny and the Mystics”. Now, as a solo performer, Penny plays an acoustic mix of folk and rock covers as well as original tunes. Perfect music to listen to while sitting back and enjoying a Sunday afternoon beer.

SAMWISE SEIDEL AND FRIENDS

Sam hails from the UK and—after many twists—now finds himself a resident of Cobargo. Not simply a musician who has played Glastonbury, but also a massively experienced technician (e.g. working with Jamiroquai at Coachella in 2018), Sam is a musical guy of many tastes and many talents who fell in love with the guitar around the age of 12

THE BUTCHERS

The Butchers are a young jazz trio from UNSW attempting to put their own spin on the traditional jazz repertoire. The ensemble consists of Sarah Homeh on double bass and vocals, Nicholas Lee on keys, and Tom McCracken on drums. Mentored by some of the finest jazz musicians in Sydney and influenced by a variety of genres, The Butchers are forging their own sound in the jazz idiom.

TRES HOMBRES EL BLUES

Frank Sultana's trio with Harry Brus and Calvin Welch. These musicians are local favourites, when they come home from their heavily booked schedule.  Always entertaining & bringing deep knowing of blues heritage.

WOLLONGONG CON JAZZ ORCHESTRA

The award-winning Wollongong Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra is the flagship ensemble of the highly regarded jazz program at the Conservatorium. We are so glad they join us each year, and we offer special thanks to Eric Dunan who inspires and educates us all. Come along for the fun!

RAY BEADLE, JOHNATHON ZWARTZ & ANDREW DICKESON

Following his return from Memphis, Tennessee where he placed Top 8 in the prestigious International Blues Challenge, Sydney-based award-winning guitarist Ray Beadle released his first album in 7 years in the form of The 301 Live Session. Featuring Ray Beadle on guitar & vocals, Jonathan Zwartz on double bass and Andrew Dickeson on snare & brushes, the trio will be at the festival to play from the new album and beyond. Be sure not to miss this headline set!  

JODIE MICHAEL TRIO

One of the most exciting and creative drummers in Australia today—and recently returned from touring and studying in the USA—Jodie Michael brings some of the world’s best freestyle drum-based jazz to Kiama. 

EAMON DILWORTH'S CRAWFISH PO'BOYS

Trumpeter, songwriter and vocalist Eamon Dilworth presents the Crawfish Po’Boys. Inspired by the music of New Orleans and its heroes like Dr John, Professor Longhair and Kermit Ruffins, the band incorporates street beats, funk & jazz together creating the sound of a big street party. Dilworth is a formidable trumpeter on the Sydney jazz scene, and also performs, records, and arranges music in a multitude of other genres. 

SHOGUN & THE SHEETS

Punk is for squares – this is Shogun & The Sheets! The new band from ex-Royal Headache front- man Shogun, this re-defined incarnation draws on experiences of addiction, hurt and hope, with Shogun’s musical aspirations emboldened and sharpened. Riveting, downcast, charismatic and complex. More soul than punk-rock. The Sheets are a band formed from teenage friends who, in Shogun’s own words, “play like motherfuckers“, providing a new platform for one of the most celebrated voices of the Australian underground.

GENEVIEVE CHADWICK

An extraordinary solo performer, Genevieve Chadwick exudes raw energy by the bucketload, and has the power to bring a venue to a standstill. With almost a decade since her original breakout, Genevieve still brings her characteristic passion and energy to the stage each and every show.  

RED REVELS

Red Revel is an explosion of jazz-funk anthems, whose captivating and energetic performance transports audiences back in time to the golden age of 70's funk rock. Their current single “Funky Lemon” captures the band’s sound, namely a perfect blend of funk & roots with a twist of rock’n’roll.