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Mason Rack
With blues gravel in his voice and a cheeky twinkle in his eyes, Mason Rack is a born entertainer. He and his band had the room rocking at the recent Thredbo Blues Festival in the Australian mountains.
Blues musicians rock!
The entertainers at the Thredbo Blues Festival last month had me smiling from ear to ear. This little event takes place in the charming alpine village for which it is named, high in Australia’s Snowy Mountains. For two and a half days, the restaurants, bars, and public spaces are bouncing with joyful sounds.
I’ve already posted a selection of pictures from the performances Friday evening and early Saturday (see: Portraits in Blues), and have had trouble reducing the rest – from Saturday afternoon through Sunday night – down to a manageable number.
Of course, these pictures would be better with their accompanying sounds! So, I’ve included a badly filmed but groovy short clip to get you in the mood:
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Ray Beadle Swing Quintet
Rain and wind drove all the daytime performances indoors. So, even though it was early afternoon, I was plunged into pseudo-nightclub darkness to enjoy swinging “Jump Blues” sounds inside the Kosci Room.
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Ray Beadle
I always make a point of catching award-winning performer Ray Beadle. His joy is infectious, and his musicianship is peerless.
Ed Schots
Add a baritone sax to the mix, and you have a rich, swinging sound.
Carolyn Packer
Known for her mastery of traditional and electronic keyboards, Carolyn Packer brings her blend of blues, jazz, swing, funk, and soul to the combo.
Ewan Lund
Across in the Lounge Bar, the young musicians in the Jesse Redwing Band …
Harry Brus
… have some stellar and mature backing. Harry Brus has been on the Australian music scene forever!
Bek Jensen
Later – still in the Lounge Bar – Bek Jensen and her band of family share stories.
Through the Crowd
Across on the other side of the village, we found a spot in the Candlelight Lodge. We didn’t have much of a view, but we could hear Jack Biilmann’s rich tones through the divider.
Mountain in Cloud
Outside, the rains abated, and we could see up the Snowgums Chairlift and over the 1.5 km (0.9 mi) elevated Alpine Coaster track.
Jack Biilmann
Jack crossies from faithful classics to story-rich originals. His melodic guitar filled the Candlelight dining room.
Jeff King: Joy and an Acoustic Guitar
G.D. & The King Bros with guest Jill ‘Buttercup’ Tweedie are – individually and together – an integral part ot the Australian music scene. I first saw the King brothers way back in the 1980s, in the Sydney Basement.
Jill ‘Buttercup’ Tweedie
Jill delivers cheeky vocals with style!
Live Music on the Mountain
Early Sunday, I was back up the mountain, in the Merritts Mountain House, admiring the energy of Dave Hole on guitar and vocals, Rudy Miranda on drums, and Graham Burns on bass.
Finger Picking
Naturally, Dave Hole’s set ended with a blistering demonstration of his guitar mastery.
Sweet Felicia
I had so enjoyed Sweet Felicia & the Honeytones at the opening of the festival that I made a point of catching them again.
Alison Penny with the Honeytones
Multi-award-winning Ali Penny is well known and loved on the Aussie blues scene.
Steve Edmonds with the Honeytones
Guitarist-extraordinaire Steve Edmonds seems to be everywhere.
Roscoe Clark with the Honeytones
Another familiar face, drummer Roscoe ‘Stinger’ Clark keeps the rhythm tight.
Sound Guy
Off to the side, the ‘sound guy’ watches the levels.
Mason Rack Band
Back downhill in the village, I was introduced to the wonderful Mason Rack Band.
Mason Rack
When he’s not sounding like Tom Waits growling an old blues-rock standard, Mason Rack is giggling like a mischievous child and telling stories of growing up in a family of entertainers.
Mason Rack on Weissenborn Lap Slide
One of his stories is about buying this classic guitar – when he really couldn’t afford it.
Claire Hollander on Trumpet
Meanwhile, in The Pub, Bonnie Kay & The Sweet Patooties are serving up a rousing blend of blues, jazz, rockabilly, and swing.
Steve Edmonds
Downstairs in The Keller, the ubiquitous Steve Edmonds is back – this time with his own band.
Song Book
Watching Don Hopkins the keyboard-player turn the page on the play list seemed like a good moment for me to close the book on this year’s event.
The live music continued long into the night –
but I’d had a rich and varied experience full of magical moments.
It was time for me to hang up my dancing shoes until next year.
Until then …
Photos: 17-18January2026
