Canberra Blues Society End of Year Celebration Pro Blues Jam - hosted by Illya Szwec's Groove Depot

ILLYA Szwec's Groove Depot hosts the CBS End of Year Celebration (DECEMBER) Pro Blues Jam.

Illya Szwec's Groove Depot is a funky little ensemble that changes from gig to gig. For the CBS End of Year Celebration Jam, Illya will be bringing:

Pat Powell on vocals. Pat's no stranger to Canberra, having performed shows and vocal workshops all over the city. He can be seen with The Melbourne Ska Orchestra, who tour worldwide (and nationwide!), and fronting any number of blues, soul, jazz, funk & reggae groups in the capital cities of each state all year round! Pat and Illya have a partnership that extends beyond the last 15 years, and work together in several musical projects that see them maintaining residences at Sydney venues, as was multiple festival appearances across NSW.

Aidan Glover on bass guitar. Aidan is equally at home on guitar, and whoever books him for a gig needs to specify which instrument he's required on! He regularly performs in the bands of Sydney guitar icons Simon Kinny Lewis and Ray Beadle, as well as his own duo and band projects.

Mitch Preston on drums. The shuffle master! A mainstay of Canberra blues and roots music, and known for supplying the sophisticated beats for Leo Joseph, The Groove Kings and more. He's one of Illya's favourite drummers - so this is a perfect opportunity for them to play together!

Illya Szwec on guitar. Illya has spent the last 25 years performing onstage and recording with some iconic Australian blues, funk, soul, reggae and rock musicians - including Wendy Saddington, Clayton Doley, Margaret RoadNight and Continental Robert Susz. He made an international connection by performing on Bob Daisley's tribute to Gary Moore CD, alongside musicians that perform in Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Toto!

Expect some funky blues today!!

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.