DOORS 1PM // KITCHEN OPEN // SHOW STARTS 1.45PM

Checkerboard Lounge play a special matinee show at the Brunswick Ballroom on Saturday 17 September with special guest Jojo Smith.

Checkerboard Lounge

‘the most intensely electrifying experience in Australian blues today’ ...The Age

Carl Pannuzzo - vocals, drums
 Shannon Bourne - guitar
 Tim Neal - Hammond organ
 Zoë Frater - bass

Official youtube channel (film clips and live):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmDrj9imSfVpfL66eoL-JDA

Website:

www.checkerboardlounge.com.au

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/checkerboardmusic

Bandcamp:

https://cheersquadrecordstapes.bandcamp.com/album/sun-sessions

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1hl42NvJlfcrAzqxNzaVrY

Biography:

Since recording at the legendary SUN Studio and releasing a new incredible album ‘SUN Sessions’, after reaching the semi-finalists at the 2020 International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN, word keeps spreading about this formidable act.

From deep within the veins of Melbourne’s music scene, Checkerboard Lounge has become a cult-like underground institution. The brainchild of renowned singer and drummer Carl Pannuzzo, the band has evolved over thirty years; breathing fire, virtuosity and improvisation into classic soul and roots originals. 

Playful and unyielding, Pannuzzo is joined on stage by guitar master Shannon Bourne, Hammond virtuoso Tim Neal, and inimitable bassist Zoë Frater. The current line-up features world-class musicianship, unbridled passion inspired by the moment and an almost telepathic ability to create; a powerhouse to be reckoned with.

From standing ovations at festivals to crammed inner Melbourne pubs, no two shows are the same. Vibrant and unforgettable, Checkerboard are a tour-de-force demanding honesty, integrity and truthful musicianship; the very essence of a live music experience.  

History:

Ever since their famed seven-year residency at the Great Britain Hotel in the early 90s, many budding young musicians have cut their blues teeth with the uncompromising fire of this band's energy. Checkerboard has inspired the development of some of Australia's finest musicians and bands (Powderfinger, Dirty Three, Clare Bowditch, Jet, Spoonful/Rocket Science, Kylie Auldist to name a few). Checkerboard's point of difference had always been playing with different musicians and throwing them into an improvisational hot-seat. 

Over the years, band members have included Australia's best blues exponents, such as Rev. Mick O’Connor, Ian Collard, Jeff Lang, Broderick Smith, Steve Teakle, Richard Tankard, Andrew Ogburn, Garrett Costigan, Nigel MacLean and Dave Boyle (USA). 

Thirty years on, Checkerboard continues to leave musicians and audiences, both national and international, enthralled by the single-minded creativity of a rhythm section-led roots band.  Arguably the band’s strongest ever line up; the spirit of the blues is palpable throughout their performances, all the while through an almost childlike sense of play.

Personnel: 
 Carl Pannuzzo on drums and vocals (Kylie Auldist, Mia Dyson, Paul Grabowsky, Shane Howard, Patti Labelle, Fred Smith, Deb Morrow, Bob Sedergreen and more). Tim Neal on keys (Mavis Staples, Ricky Lee Jones, Joss Stone, Archie Roach, Paul Kelly, Ernest Ranglin, Randy Crawford, Fiona Boyes and more). Shannon Bourne on guitar (Chris Wilson, Vika Bull, The Black Sorrows, Russell Morris, Tex Perkins, Broderick Smith and more, and new bass player Zoë Frater (Zoë Frater Quintet and more)

Radio:

‘SUN Sessions’ has enjoyed overwhelming response from punters and radio, having entered the Australian Blues and Roots radio play charts at #7 and within 2 months, now sitting at #1

Testimonials:

“You got it boy, it’s in you” ~ Jimmy Smith
 "You could run a small city off these guys" ~ Fiona Boyes
 "Some real happening blues" ~ Bob Sedergreen
 “Thanks for bringing Memphis back to Memphis” - Memphis local
 “It’s not a place you'd expect to find yourselves in within the normally understood confines of the Blues form. The collective rapport you have within the band is a wonder to behold, a total trust in each other that allows for an open ended approach to everything you play.” ~ Robert Calvert

For a deeper insight to the SUN Story: 

https://australianmusician.com.au/watch-checkerboard-lounge-carl-pannuzzo-sun-sessions-interview/

TICKETING INFO 

Brunswick Ballroom will be operating under the current Victorian State Government guidelines as we continue to live with this pandemic. 

The venue will be taking a number of precautionary measures to ensure patron safety, including:
 - Hand sanitiser dispensers
 - Signage and social distancing markers throughout the venue
 - Regular sanitising of the venue and full clean between sittings

The Brunswick Ballroom also strives to improve our practices when it comes to sustainability and to reduce our carbon footprint. We don’t sell or provide plastic water bottles.

Photo ID is essential, acceptable ID is a current and valid Australian Photo Drivers Licence, State Approved ‘Proof of Age’ card or Passport. 

VENUE INFO 

THE BALLROOM MENU
The kitchen will be serving The Ballroom Menu for this show.
You can view the delicious offerings available by clicking here.

ACCESSIBILITY
The Brunswick Ballroom is Accessible.
The Brunswick Ballroom has made significant improvements to accessibility by installing an Acorn Chairlift. (Model: New Acorn Indoor 180 Curved Stairlift.)

VENUE FAQS
To find out more about the venue, FAQs can be viewed by clicking here.