JAMES SOUTHWELL BAND featuring CHARLIE WOOTON (New Orleans) with special guest CHRIS WILSON. James Southwell brings his "A plus", "All-Star-Band" to Waves on Feb 17 to mark the release of his brand new album "The Dockside Sessions" (Where The Wind Blows), recorded at the famed Dockside Studio in Maurice, Louisiana. Legendary New Orleans bass player Charlie Wooton produced this album as well as also playing bass on it. The album is a milestone in James Southwell's blistering blues/funk journey. "The Dockside Sessions" comes from James's deep love of the blues, infused with funk and rock & roll influences, further establishing his credentials as one of the country's leading blues performers. Joining Southwell and Wooton onstage will be Australian drummer extraordinaire Mark Kennedy, Dylan Harding - percussion, Kate DeAraugo - backing vocals, plus, the dynamic Australian blues legend Chris Wilson on harmonica and vocals.  

Supported by THE SIMON KINNY-LEWIS BAND Simon Kinny-Lewis takes the audience with him on a seismic journey of compelling, guitar virtuosity as he effortlessly navigates through tricky progressions with fire, grace and taste! His world-class band also features Rick Melick (Joe Bonnamassa Band) on keys, plus Tony Boyd - drums, and Rob Ewan - bass. - Steve Luthaker (guitarist for Toto) comments on Simon Kinny-Lewis's 2016 release 'Street Blues' - "Great man. Your voice has a little Bonnamassa in it...which is cool. Love the tune too. Killer solo!" - T.J. Helmerich (producer/engineer for Steve Vai, Victor Wooten, and Tribal Tech) states; "Simon's releases never cease to amaze me - love the writing, and the players!"  

plus THE HARRY BRUS BAND Harry Brus is nothing less than a true legend of Australian music. A bass maestro and now band leader, Harry has performed with an incredible array of talent over the decades. The early years saw him in various line ups including Jeff St John and The Copperwine, Wendy Saddington and Blackfeather. In the mid-eighties he joined Australian Crawl. He is well known for his almost 30 years as bass player with Renee Geyer, and many years on the road were dedicated to The Kevin Borich Express. Along the way Harry has been in too many band line-ups to recall them all: highlights would be, Tommy Emmanuel, Barry Leef Band, Jimmy Barnes, Marcia Hines, a cherished gig with the great Joe Walsh, Billy Thorpe, House Band for the hugely successful Long Way To The Top concert series with many incredible artists, including Max Merritt, Dinah Lee, Normie Rowe, Doug Parkinson; Leo Sayer Band, Russell Morris, Brian Cadd, Ross Wilson and Phil Emmanuel. Harry Brus will bring his awesome band along with decades of performance experience to the stage in what will be an explosive opening to this funk/blues 'night of nights!'