Enjoy the sights of Bendigo’s architecturally stunning CBD from on board the sensationally restored vintage Class tram #610, while being serenaded by two great acts.
Marc Leon is Bendigo Blues royalty!
His musical career began in 1960 as lead singer in local Rock & Roll bands. He taught himself to play guitar, started to write songs and by 1964, his band, The D-Men, was signed up by CBS to record three 45RPM singles, featuring four of his songs. These records were successful in the Sydney charts and the group’s popularity was further boosted with regular appearences on National TV, as well as tours with the Aztecs and the Easybeats.
By 1966, Marc’s musical interests shifted towards Jazz, Blues and R&B (Soul). He was influenced by musicians such as Ray Charles, BB King, Wes Montgomery and the Soul artists who recorded for the “Stax” label. One of his demo tapes caught the attention of EMI producer David Mackay, who produced two singles for Marc on HMV. These records received excellent reviews.
Marc moved to Melbourne in 1968 to join the Vibrants, a Rock band with three number one hit records. The band broke up six months later and he formed “Graduate” with two other Vibrants members, to play a diverse range of music, including Jazz, Blues, Latin and Rock. Graduate survived in various line-ups for 10 years. Often featuring a female singer out front, the band’s extensive tour schedule included all Australian states, as well as six months
in S.E. Asia.
Over the years, Marc has shared the stage with many International acts like The Kinks, Mungo Jerry, Bee Gees, Jose Feliciano, Fairport Convention, Burl Ives and Roberta Flack. He was also in demand as a studio session musician, as well as guitarist and musical director for a number of Australia’s Top Celebrities, including John Farnham, Colleen Hewett, Normie Rowe and John St. Peters. Marc also taught guitar for many years in music schools and in his home studio.
Some of Marc Leon’s songs have made it into the finals of the American Song Festival (1976) and the MBAS Blues Performer Of The Year contest (1995).
Marc currently performs solo and sometimes with some of the local musicians who inspire him.
Sit back and seductively sip your champagne whilst having your senses ravished by JadeByrd’s decadent and delicious blues and soulful and sophisticated jazz.
JadeByrd evokes a yearning for a bygone era where gambling and bootleg liquor were a la mode.
JadeByrd’s divine harmonies and obvious connectedness will make you blush, make you cry, make you fall in love with the stranger across the room.
Rebirthing songs by the likes of Memphis Minnie, Ettta James, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald and many more…
So put on your fur coat, feather stole, beaded gown and dapper suit. Twiddle your handlebar moustache, pop on your fedora and be enveloped by JadeByrd’s bewitching and captivating performance.
Saturday June 10th
Blues Tram, feat: Marc Leon + JadeByrd
Departing Central Deborah Goldmine (76 Violet Street) at 2pm, returning 4:30pm.
Tix: $49.50 from Bendigo Visitor Centre 1800 813 513 or online here: https://www.bendigotourism.com/tours/bendigo-cbd/bendigo-blues-tram
Follow The Blues Tram here: https://www.facebook.com/TheBluesTram
Strictly no BYO. Drinks and snacks available for purchase.
The Blues Tram is organised and staged by Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival Inc, a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers.
Please Note:
This is a music appreciation event – a mobile concert. For the enjoyment of all patrons, any rowdy or loud behavior will not be tolerated. Event management reserves the right to refuse admission or evict patrons if requests to manage behavior are not complied with; in this unlikely event, tickets of offenders will be forfeited and no refund will be available.