Artist Profile

Collard Greens and Gravy

Collard Greens and Gravy Formed in 1995, The Melbourne-based trio have established themselves as one of Australia's leading blues bands with their low-fi, foot stomping country blues. Collard Greens and Gravy's Silver Bird album won the Best Self-Produced CD award at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in February 2005. Silver Bird, the bands third album, builds on the success of More Gravy, which won an ARIA Award in 2001. In 2001 they placed overall runner-up at the IBC then successfully toured the United States.

Collard Greens and Gravy is Ian Collard on harmonica, vocals, diddley bow and guitar, James Bridges on guitar and Anthony Shortte on drums and percussion. Legends like Muddy Waters,Jessie Mae Hemphill, R.L. Burnside, T-Model Ford and Fred McDowell inspire their guitar, harp and percussion combination. Collard, a gifted blues vocalist, won the Australian Harmonica Championships in 1996. A Hohner Harmonica endorsee, he has featured on many other recordings including Baz Luhrmans UK number one hit, Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen). Bridges' playing stands out among today's legion of blues guitarists; with taste and economy he creates an eerie style and feel that harks back to names such as Blind Willie Johnson, Son House and Robert Johnson. Shortte completes the trio on drums. His technique is all his own; he plays intensely and dynamically on a one-of-a kind modified drum kit.

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