House of Blues - Jam Night

Tuesday 11th December 2018

Feature act: JOHN McNAMARA

6:30pm: Doors & kitchen open for meals: $20 Mains, $10 Entrees, $10 Desserts – or 3 Courses for $35!
8:00pm - 8:45pm: Feature act
9:00pm - 11:00pm: Blues Jam Session
(Jammers to register by 8.30pm)

FREE ENTRY – ALL WELCOME.
If you’d like a guaranteed table seating, please 'BOOK' a single or multiple (Group) ticket below so we can reserve you a spot!

JOHN McNAMARA is a Soul Blues guitarist/vocalist/songwriter based in regional Victoria.

Before stepping out as a solo artist, John worked as a guitarist for local and international acts and appeared on programs such as Chanel 10's 'The Morning Show', Rage and MTV. Opening for acts such as Joanne Shaw Taylor, Jon Stevens, Rick Price, Diesel, Shannon Knoll, Russell Morris as well as touring with Mr. Big vocalist Eric Martin, John quickly made a name for himself as a headline act in his own right.

Commencing as a solo artist, he found acoustic Soul and Blues to be the perfect showcase for his guitar playing and powerful voice, with an authentic style, true to the roots. Since going solo, he has two successful Edinburgh Fringe Festivals under his belt (2012 and 2013), tours of Germany, Singapore and Malaysia. John has become a regular on the Australian Blues scene, playing festivals and shows all over the country showcasing his unique talents.

John's highly acclaimed 2017 album release, “Rollin’ With It” was recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis USA, with the legendary backing musicians of that city. Likened often to the greats such as Otis Redding, Bobby Bland and Sam Cooke, John has been dubbed "The real deal." Critics and fans alike have praised the release for its authentic Memphis sound – "The best STAX album not on the STAX label, it's that good!" ASX in LA say it's "The rebirth of cool".

The album received number 1 position on the international Blues Airplay charts for both Album and Single at the same time, as well as receiving number 1 song in Australia on the AMRAP charts. John also collected "Song Of The Year" at the Australian Blues Music Chain Awards in 2015 for his acapella tune "Burn, Burn, Burn".

In 2014, John won the MBAS Blues Challenge (Solo/Duo Division) travelling to Memphis USA to represent the MBAS at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in 2015. Again winning the MBAS Blues Challenge (Solo/Duo Division) in 2018 as the duo 'McNaMarr Project', John will be partnering with vocalist Andrea Marr to represent the MBAS at the IBC in January 2019.

"The bastard made me feel insecure – he's so good!" – Russell Morris (Australian music icon)

Photo credit: Sean Clohesy