Jan Preston (NSW)

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Jan Preston "Queen of Boogie Woogie Piano" and Kiwi expat, is recognised as one of Australias leading female blues/jazz artists. Jans unique ability lies not only in her exceptional talent as a piano player, singer and songwriter, but also as an entertainer, and her mastery of boogie woogie piano leaves audiences in raptures.

Her show includes a superb rendition of Winifred Atwells Black and White Rag, along with some quick finger playing covers of Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Albert Ammons, and many other of the great rhythm and blues piano players who have influenced her style.

She has 3 Best Female Blues Artist Awards and was the winner of the 2003 Sydney Blues Performer of the Year. Her latest release 'Wild Mood Swing' has been enormously successful on playlists here, in NZ and Europe.

New Zealand born Jan Preston began her musical career in a fringe political theatre in her home country. This led to her forming a rock band 'Coup DEtat' who had a New Zealand number 1 single with Doctor I Like Your Medicine.

In 1979 Jan spent some time living and working in New York. While there, she managed to see the great New Orleans piano player Professor Longhair, who along with Katie Webster, was to have a profound influence upon her own blues piano playing style.

You may also notice Jan Prestons name as a composer for films, and she is currently completing writing music for the ABC Dynasties documentary series.After settling herself in Sydney, Jan began writing music for theatre and film, her first effort being a documentary directed by Sam Neil. Screenwriting has remained one of Jans fortes; when director Jane Campion wanted to research the music for her movie The Piano she turned to Jan who has also been a teacher at the Wellington Conservatorium and Lismore Music School.

In 1999 Jan released her album 'My Room Full of Pianos' which featured musicians such as Jim Conway (Backsliders) on harmonica and Paula Dowse (Mojos) on percussion.

Jan is determined to continue all her musical commitments but it is in her performing and recording career that she is most determined. The combination of bluesy beats, great piano riffs and insightful, personal lyrics mark her as part of the new Australian Blues Scene; artists who are taking this US Afro-American art form and turning it into a basis for work that is contemporary and personal, yet grounded in tradition.

CDs include:
Wild Mood Swing (2004)
The Piano Has the Blues (2002)
My Room Full of Pianos (1999)
Back Door Woman (1997)

Jan Preston featured at the Australian Blues Music Festival in 2006, 2005, 2001, 2000 & 1999.

In 2006, Jan played with special guest artist, widely acclaimed 12-year-old harp player Declan "Blind Dog" Kenrick (pictured). Declan was a hit with Festival patrons.

Declan has a residency busking every Saturday morning at the Hemp Hut, adjacent the hugely popular Eumundi Markets on the Sunshine Coast in southeast Queensland. Rhythms Magazine (May 2004) calls Declan a "harmonica sensation" and says that when he "blows, Declan really lets you know he's there, stunning audiences with a flow of notes many fully-grown harmonica players would envy".

Declan's CDs include:
Still Got the Blue at Nine

Click Here to view blues CDs currently available in the Goulburn Visitor Information Centre.

Visit Jan's website at: www.janpreston.com