Jim Conway is acknowledged as a highly accomplished harmonica player whose distinctive style is well known to blues, jazz and country music enthusiasts. His extensive career includes national tours with American bluesman Brownie McGhee, The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, Circus Oz, The Backsliders and Jim Conway's Big Wheel .
Jim was a member of the Conway Brother's Hiccups Orchestra from 1984 - 1988 and toured the U.K. in 1986, appearing at the Edinburgh Festival, the Capitol Music Festival and the Newcastle Festival. In early 1988, the Conway Brothers appeared at the Houston International Festival, World Expo 88 and the Perth Festival. Jim also joined the Backsliders in the latter part of 1988, touring nationally at festivals including the Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne Festivals, Womad, the East Coast Blues Festival and the Gold Coast International Jazz and Blues Festival.
In 2006, Jim resigned from the Backsliders to focus on his own band, Jim Conway's Big Wheel, which had already achieved a high level of success within the Australian music scene since it's inception 2002.
In 2003 he produced Big Wheel's first CD "Little Story" which was nominated in the Blues & Roots category for the 2004 ARIA awards. Since that time, Big Wheel has toured extensively, playing at the Port Fairy, Wangaratta, Bellingen and the Narooma Music Festivals.
In October 2008 Jim produced a new Big Wheel CD called "Share This Life" which Jim has described as the best recorded studio work from his long musical career. Also in 2008, ABC Records released a CD of live recordings called "Music Deli Presents Jim Conway" which features Jim performing with Chris Wilson & The Backsliders, The Brewster Brothers, Jeff Lang and Big Wheel. This CD strongly highlights Jim's versatility
In 2005, Jim launched into the organisational side of music festivals as musical director of the Balmain Acoustica Festival. In 2009 Acoustica celebrates 5 years of successive annual festivals. Jim is looking forward to many future festivals featuring some of the finest National and International acoustic music performers from the Australian festival circuit.
Jim is an extremely versatile musician which has also made him a sought after session musician. He has recorded with numerous artists including Shane Howard (Goanna Band), Colin Hay (Men at Work), Jon Lord (Deep Purple), Bob Brozman, Slim Dusty, Jan Preston, Tim Gaze, Dutch Tilders, Anne Kirkpatrick andPat Drummond.
Jim has composed, produced and recorded music for a broad range of film and radio projects, including the Kennedy Miller telemovie "The Riddle of the Stinson" and the comedy feature "The Honourable Wally Norman" which was chosen to open the 2003 Sydney Film Festival. Jim produced Big Wheel CDs "Share This Life" and "Little Story".
A documentary film celebrating Jim's contribution to Australian music was screened on S.B.S. Television in July 2000 In 2003 Jim was also awarded the prestigious Centenary Medal in recognition of his contribution to the Arts. At the 2000 Sydney Paralympics Opening Ceremony Jim performed a piece of music specially written to feature his harmonica playing.
Jim is becoming a popular portrait subject among Sydney's artistic community with the photographic portrait of Jim by renowned photographer, Greg Weight winning the inaugural Prize for Photographic Portraiture in 2003 and, a portrait of Jim by Greg Warburton was a finalist in the prestigious Archibald Prize in 2006.
Hi Jim, always such a distinct pleasure hearing you play! Great harp, love your tone and phrasing!!! I hope that we can maybe do something together one of these days. BIG HUGGGG m
You need to check out the new Victoria "Blowbox" Harp amp! I was instrumental in designing and getting into their line of top shelf amps. Go to youtube and search me "James Reeser" and there are a couple of recent vids featuring it.
It is a 45 watt 2X8 amp. It looks like a tweed head but yes it has 2 8" speakers in it. No one can believe such a fat rich tone comes from a little amp. It is versatile... light weight... It can be plugged into any speaker cab as it has 2, 4 and 8 ohm output taps. It also has a switch that makes it either a stock 59 Bassman if that is your tone (also for guitar if desired) or flip the switch for the harp special circuits and rich fat harp tone! And yes has plenty of power as a stand alone to keep up with just about any band.
Friday October 23rd – Lee Rosser + TH3, live @ The Pub, Bendigo VIC
This will be one of THE VERY LAST SHOWS to be staged in the famed Band Room of The Pub (173 Hargreaves Street Bendigo), as it will be closing it's doors on Oct 31st.
Sadly, the well-sized band room, which has seen some fantastic nights for live music in Bendigo, will be closed due to lack of punter support over recent times.
Show Gav and the rest of the gang at The Pub that the live music scene in Bendigo is alive and kicking... come along and check out a brilliant night of blues & roots music besides, as the mighty Lee Rosser makes a long-awaited return to Bendigo!
Don't miss this opportunity to see some of the finest blues/roots/rock music Victoria has to offer!
Hey Jim enable your html - i want to send you the latest video i made - nude/naked and wrinkly :-))) Check out this - you will love it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gP4Ih58Yzg
Just had my morning coffees and once again listened to all your song here and enjoyed them greatly..I've got to buy some of your music.. Hope your day is a fine one, with music, sunshine and love..
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
Hi Jim Conway ! Thank you for adding Blackmail Bluesband to your friends. You have great tracks on your profile. Hope you will have a wonderful week. Greetings from Sweden. Blackmail Bluesband.
Josh Owen Band
July Gigs & Espy Residency
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6th July Espy - Front Bar (Band)
13th July Espy - Front Bar (Band)
18th July Corner Hotel (Solo)
Jaimi Faulkner Album Launch
20th July Espy - Front Bar (Band)
26th July Marong Family Hotel (Solo)
27th July Espy - Front Bar (Band)
31st July Thin Green Line (Band)
Hickinbotham Winery Dromana
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www.facebook.com/joshowenband
Hi Jim, just in case you were hanhing around the Newtown area tomorrow, Sat: I'll be doing back-up fiddle for George Arnare and his very atmospheric songs, with the gorgeous Simon from The Falls on guitar, for about an hour @ the Newtown RSL. Starts at 7.30. Entry is free!
Thanks for the add Jim, and generous words about our music. We love your playing and will never forget how incredibly you accompanied Kristina Olsen at the Harbourside Brasserie. You have the ears of an elephant :-) Love T&K
