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Checkerboard Lounge
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Touring NZ for the first time, from in the veins of Melbourne’s music scene, blues band Checkerboard Lounge is a cult-like institution that has been entertaining Australian audiences for over 30 years. The brainchild of songwriter/vocalist/drummer Carl Punnazzo Checkerboard are a tour-de-force of improvised blues demanding honesty, integrity and truthful musicianship, they are the very essence of a live music experience, vibrant and unforgettable. From standing ovations at festivals to crammed inner Melbourne pubs, no two shows are the same. Ever since a famed seven-year residency at Melbourne’s Great Britain Hotel in the early 90s, many musicians have cut their blues teeth with the fire of this band's energy. 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).
Carl Pannuzzo, will be joined on stage in NZ by the cream of Australia’s talent, guitar master Shannon Bourne and Hammond virtuoso Tim Neal. Carl has been creating inspired, reckless and beautiful music for decades. With the innovative and extraordinary a cappella trio, Acapelicans, he has toured the world. As a singer-songwriter he is a familiar presence at Australian festivals. But as drummer and vocalist for Checkerboard Lounge he lets his first love, soul and blues music, run free.
A veteran of Melbourne’s music scene, Shannon Bourne’s career began as a sideman to blues legend, Chris Wilson. Since then, he has collaborated with and accompanied some of Australia’s most highly acclaimed musicians, including John Shumann, Vikka Bull, The Black Sorrows, Tex Perkins’ Band of Gold, Matt Walker, Broderick Smith, Jimmy Dowling, Kerri Simpson, Monique Brumby and Thomas Hugh.
Tim is a highly sought after Aria award winning multi-instrumentalist and Australia’s foremost exponent of the Hammond Organ. He has recorded, played or toured with world famous notables such as Mavis Staples, Ricky Lee Jones, Joss Stone, Paul Kelly, Ernest Ranglin, Duke Robillard, Fiona Boyes, Billy Boy Arnold, Randy Crawford, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, James Taylor, Renee Geyer, Jeff Lang, Jimmy Smith and Geoff Achison to name a few and is not to be missed!
And as a bonus for 20 the fabulous Karen Clarke Blueswoman is going to pop on down and do a support set to really kick things off in grand style!
Location
Collins Street
Hāwera