Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society - MBAS

⭐️2026 MBAS VICTAS BLUES MUSIC AWARDS – ENTRIES NOW OPEN! VICTORIAN & TASMANIAN Blues artists GET YOUR RECORDING ENTRIES IN by the end of October!
Did you release a Blues album, or record a killer Blues track in the past 12 months, between 1st October 2025 and 30th September 2026? If so, entry is FREE and Awards applications are now open to submit your recordings.
AWARD CATEGORIES:
⭐️Album of the Year
⭐️Artist of the Year (Male or Female)
⭐️Solo/Duo of the Year
⭐️Band of the Year
⭐️Emerging Act
⭐️Song of the Year
Download the VICTAS Blues Music Awards Entry Form PDF with entry criteria here: https://www.mbas.org.au/club-events/mbas-music-awards
🎶 NOTE: ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY 30th OCTOBER 2026. 🎶 VICTAS Award winners announced and presented at the MBAS XMAS Party, Tuesday 15th December 2026. For more information or queries contact MBAS President John Durr: [email protected] or 0425 776 613

MBAS 'HOUSE OF BLUES' @ FLEMINGTON BOWLS CLUB
Tuesday 13th OCTOBER 2026 • FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
8:00pm: Feature act: BACK ALLEY SALLY
9:00pm – 11:00pm: Blues Jam (Jammers to register by 8:30pm)
6:30pm: Doors open + KITCHEN OPEN FOR MEALS (6:30pm – 8:30pm)
FREE entry and walkups are always welcome, but attendees are encouraged to pre-book via the MBAS website for guaranteed table seating. Please 'BOOK' a single or multiple (group) ticket here: https://www.mbas.org.au/house-of-blues-13-10-2026
🎶🎥NOTE: The Feature Act is LIVESTREAMED on the night from 8:00pm via the MBAS page.

BACK ALLEY SALLY is a compelling collaboration between two distinctive voices in contemporary blues. With BENJI MIU on guitar/vocals, and JULIE NOBLE on harmonica, their musical journey has taken them across the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, shaping a gritty, raw sound. Performing originals, they have appeared at iconic blues venues including The Blues Train, Blues on the Bay, Hume Blues Club – and supported Geoff Achison on his 2025 album launch. Their debut EP, 'Motel Marathon’ which was produced by Achison, received widespread airplay on blues stations across Australia, and this release awarded the act 'Blues Duo of the Year' at the 2025 VICTAS Blues Music Awards.
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ABOUT THE MBAS: Formed in 1990, the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS) is a not-for-profit organisation run by a volunteer team of blues music lovers. MBAS hosts free Tuesday night live music events and jams at its clubhouse at Flemington Bowls Club, alongside producing special ticketed events and a free "Blues Weekly" e-newsletter. All MBAS initiatives – including the annual International Blues Challenge, Women 'N' Blues and Youth in Blues Programs – are funded by weekly raffle drives, Membership fees and donations. Thank you to President & Committee of the Flemington & Kensington Bowling Club for hosting all our live blues music events.

TONIGHT at MBAS – JIMI HOCKING'S BLUES MACHINE + BLUES JAM!🔥🎸🥁🎸🔥 FREE ENTRY. Book by 2:30pm today for guaranteed table seating – walkups are welcome and doors open at 6:30pm for meals. Jimi Hocking is on at 8pm + Blues Jam at 9pm. 🎶💙🎥NOTE: We LIVESTREAM the Feature Act from 8pm every Tuesday! Go to the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society - MBAS page to view.

MBAS 'HOUSE OF BLUES' @ FLEMINGTON BOWLS CLUB
Tuesday 6th OCTOBER 2026 • FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
8:00pm: Feature act: JIMI HOCKING'S BLUES MACHINE
9:00pm – 11:00pm: Blues Jam (Jammers to register by 8:30pm)
6:30pm: Doors open + KITCHEN OPEN FOR MEALS (6:30pm – 8:30pm)
FREE entry and walkups are always welcome, but attendees are encouraged to pre-book via the MBAS website for guaranteed table seating. Please 'BOOK' a single or multiple (group) ticket here: https://www.mbas.org.au/house-of-blues-06-10-2026
🎶🎥NOTE: The Feature Act is LIVESTREAMED on the night from 8:00pm via the MBAS page.

JIMI HOCKING is one of the most prominent names in Australian Blues and needs little introduction. A gifted guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, Jimi’s music industry journey has been an illustrious and successful one – covering the spectrum of roots-based music, and holding a collection of 16 solo albums ranging from Electric Blues to Acoustic Folk – and even a mandolin album.

From unconventional exploits in the early 80’s playing complex Zappa-inspired Rock in 'The Astros', to evolving into Rock guitarist 'Jimi the Human', who joined 'The Angel's in 1988 for their 'Live Line' tour, in 1993 he joined seminal rockers 'The Screaming Jet's, recording six albums. Yet, all the while, he has been present in the Australian Blues scene with a number of Blues albums and a swag of awards, including winning the prestigious ‘International Blues Challenge’ in Memphis USA in 2005.

As well as an artist in his own right, Jimi is a sought-after side man who has lent his guitar skills to other prominent performers. He continues his role in ‘The Screaming Jets;, but his love of electric guitar always brings him back to the Blues. Jimi remains a force on the guitar, and always a supreme showman, with humour, and whose entertaining, engaging stage presence has ensured him a place as one of the best live acts in the country, and a popular returning act at the MBAS House of Blues – with his Blues Machine band.

Photo credit: Sean Clohesy
********
ABOUT THE MBAS: Formed in 1990, the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS) is a not-for-profit organisation run by a volunteer team of blues music lovers. MBAS hosts free Tuesday night live music events and jams at its clubhouse at Flemington Bowls Club, alongside producing special ticketed events and a free "Blues Weekly" e-newsletter. All MBAS initiatives – including the annual International Blues Challenge, Women 'N' Blues and Youth in Blues Programs – are funded by weekly raffle drives, Membership fees and donations. Thank you to President & Committee of the Flemington & Kensington Bowling Club for hosting all our live blues music events.

https://mailchi.mp/9a45662e9455/mbas-blues-weekly-05102026

MBAS 'HOUSE OF BLUES' @ FLEMINGTON BOWLS CLUB
Tuesday 6th OCTOBER 2026 • FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
8:00pm: Feature act: JIMI HOCKING'S BLUES MACHINE
9:00pm – 11:00pm: Blues Jam (Jammers to register by 8:30pm)
6:30pm: Doors open + KITCHEN OPEN FOR MEALS (6:30pm – 8:30pm)
FREE entry and walkups are always welcome, but attendees are encouraged to pre-book via the MBAS website for guaranteed table seating. Please 'BOOK' a single or multiple (group) ticket here: https://www.mbas.org.au/house-of-blues-06-10-2026
🎶🎥NOTE: The Feature Act is LIVESTREAMED on the night from 8:00pm via the MBAS page.

JIMI HOCKING is one of the most prominent names in Australian Blues and needs little introduction. A gifted guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, Jimi’s music industry journey has been an illustrious and successful one – covering the spectrum of roots-based music, and holding a collection of 16 solo albums ranging from Electric Blues to Acoustic Folk – and even a mandolin album.

From unconventional exploits in the early 80’s playing complex Zappa-inspired Rock in 'The Astros', to evolving into Rock guitarist 'Jimi the Human', who joined 'The Angel's in 1988 for their 'Live Line' tour, in 1993 he joined seminal rockers 'The Screaming Jet's, recording six albums. Yet, all the while, he has been present in the Australian Blues scene with a number of Blues albums and a swag of awards, including winning the prestigious ‘International Blues Challenge’ in Memphis USA in 2005.

As well as an artist in his own right, Jimi is a sought-after side man who has lent his guitar skills to other prominent performers. He continues his role in ‘The Screaming Jets;, but his love of electric guitar always brings him back to the Blues. Jimi remains a force on the guitar, and always a supreme showman, with humour, and whose entertaining, engaging stage presence has ensured him a place as one of the best live acts in the country, and a popular returning act at the MBAS House of Blues – with his Blues Machine band.

Photo credit: Sean Clohesy
********
ABOUT THE MBAS: Formed in 1990, the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS) is a not-for-profit organisation run by a volunteer team of blues music lovers. MBAS hosts free Tuesday night live music events and jams at its clubhouse at Flemington Bowls Club, alongside producing special ticketed events and a free "Blues Weekly" e-newsletter. All MBAS initiatives – including the annual International Blues Challenge, Women 'N' Blues and Youth in Blues Programs – are funded by weekly raffle drives, Membership fees and donations. Thank you to President & Committee of the Flemington & Kensington Bowling Club for hosting all our live blues music events.

TONIGHT at MBAS – SIMON KINNY-LEWIS TRIO (NSW) + BLUES JAM!🔥🎸🥁🎸🔥 FREE ENTRY. Book by 2:30pm today for guaranteed table seating – walkups are welcome and doors open at 6:30pm for meals. Simon Kinny-Lewis Trio are on at 8pm + Blues Jam at 9pm. 🎶💙🎥NOTE: We LIVESTREAM the Feature Act from 8pm every Tuesday! Go to the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society - MBAS page to view.

MBAS 'HOUSE OF BLUES' @ FLEMINGTON BOWLS CLUB
Tuesday 29th SEPTEMBER 2026 • FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
8:00pm: Feature act: SIMON KINNY-LEWIS TRIO (NSW)
9:00pm – 11:00pm: Blues Jam (Jammers to register by 8:30pm)
6:30pm: Doors open + KITCHEN OPEN FOR MEALS (6:30pm – 8:30pm)
FREE entry and walkups are always welcome, but attendees are encouraged to pre-book via the MBAS website for guaranteed table seating. Please 'BOOK' a single or multiple (group) ticket here: https://www.mbas.org.au/house-of-blues-29-09-2026
🎶🎥NOTE: The Feature Act is LIVESTREAMED on the night from 8:00pm via the MBAS page.

SIMON KINNY-LEWIS is an internationally renown, Australian-based singer, guitarist and producer, who has performed and recorded with the cream of the blues crop – including Robben Ford, Chris Cain, Josh Smith, Kirk Fletcher, Ray Beadle and many more. Not only recognised as a virtuoso guitarist, but also as an impressive singer and songwriter, Simon’s approach has been described as a musical intersection in which tradition, modern tendencies and personal style are enriched by pure emotional release. The Simon Kinny-Lewis Trio are a hot act, not to be missed, at the MBAS House of Blues.

Simon has produced five #1 albums topping the The Australian Blues and Roots Airplay Charts. His most recent albums are "Pouring Water On A Drowning Man" (2025) signed under ZYX Music Germany, and "King Biscuit" (2022) mixed by Grammy award-winning engineer Casey Wasner with legendary Guitarist Robben Ford. Three tours to the U.S.A in 2018 to 2020 saw Simon's collaboration with members of the Ford Brothers Blues Band, Andy Just, Dewayne Pate and member of Herbie Hancock’s Monster Band, Nate Ginsberg, along with Australian drummer Tony Boyd and local slide Guitarist Walter Jebe – a group put together by West-coast blues master Chris Cain. They subsequently released two albums" A Day In San Jose " and " Another Day In San Jose “ both filmed live at Reeds Recording, San Jose CA.

"Simon Kinny-Lewis (SKL) is the full package. His guitar playing is up there with the best guitarists of today.“ Blues Rock Review USA
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ABOUT THE MBAS: Formed in 1990, the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS) is a not-for-profit organisation run by a volunteer team of blues music lovers. MBAS hosts free Tuesday night live music events and jams at its clubhouse at Flemington Bowls Club, alongside producing special ticketed events and a free "Blues Weekly" e-newsletter. All MBAS initiatives – including the annual International Blues Challenge, Women 'N' Blues and Youth in Blues Programs – are funded by weekly raffle drives, Membership fees and donations. Thank you to President & Committee of the Flemington & Kensington Bowling Club for hosting all our live blues music events.

https://mailchi.mp/a4b85169f6da/mbas-blues-weekly-28092026