Blues at Bungawarra Winery in December

Following the success of two recent blues experiences, the beautiful surrounds of Bungawarra Winery is preparing itself for another session of swinging, finger-snapping blues on December 11.
Both Jimi Beavis and Rumblefish have played at different times this year at Bungawarra Winery, Ballandean, near Stanthorpe to appreciative crowds, but this time they are joining forces.
“Ain’t no reason why Brisbane should hog our music,” said Jimi, who played in June at the winery with his band and fellow Brisbanites Morningside Fats.
“Plus, it is hard to pass up the opportunity to play in such a lovely place like Bungawarra Winery.”
It will also be a chance for some of the musicians to get back to a place they love – Stanthorpe.
“Certainly both Alex (from Rumblefish) and I have friends and family in Stanthorpe,” Jimi said.
“My partner is from Stanthorpe and I have spent quite a few weekends, including the 2011 floods, in this part of the world and it is always a joy to come back and see some of the friends I have made and taste some of the local produce!”
Both blues outfits have been slowly building up a solid fanbase and a tight group of musicians, with half of Rumblefish doing their apprenticeship in the band of Brisbane blues legend Blind Dog Donnie, before striking out on their own, with a month’s long residency at West End’s The Boundary Hotel.
Jimi Beavis, meanwhile, has been plying his harmonica skills and vocals with various line-ups in south-east Queensland for the past five years, winning the Blues Association of South-East Queensland’s blues performer of the year in 2009 with his old band the 385s and releasing a critically acclaimed solo EP earlier this year.
Both bands boast musicians of excellence, from Rumblefish’s 60s style blues to Jimi’s 50s swinging repertoire and with a combined experience of festivals including the Woodford Folk Festival, Sunshine Coast Blues Festival, the Australian Blues Music Festival in Goulburn, the Blues on Broadbeach Festival, the Brisbane Blues Festival and the Queensland Festival of Blues.
The bands will be playing from 2pm to 5pm on December 11 at Bungawarra Winery, Ballandean.
Music lovers are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy local wines, with plenty of parking available.
Tickets are $12 each but children have free entry.
To check out the bands’ websites go to www.reverbnation.com/rumblefishblues or www.reverbnation.com/jimibeavis