Hawker Heights Six

Melbourne-based guitarist, singer and songwriter Neil Boland (also a member of funk powerhouse Off The Leash and jazz-funk combo Pickpocket) had long felt the urge to play the blues from a different angle to most others on the local blues scene. Along with the usual blues influences like B.B. King, Freddie King and Buddy Guy, Neil drew a good deal of inspiration from artists like Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Keb Mo and Lowell George of Little Feat. So in 2016, under the stage name of Neil Hawker, he formed Hawker Heights, to record his debut album, South By East.

The album won widespread praise, and saw the band play at events like the Wangaratta Jazz & Blues festival, the Echuca Winter Blues Festival and the Eltham Jazz & Blues Festival. With influences like Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, BB King, Keb Mo, Little Feat and the like, his debut album (under the former stage name of Neil Hawker) "South by East" combines elements from Chicago and Texas blues along with jazz, a touch of country and the songwriters of the 70s.

For their debut at Bird's Basement, the Hawker Heights Six will dig hard into Neil's original tunes as well as classics by James Hunter, Jon Cleary, Professor Longhair, Kirk Fletcher, T-Bone Walker and more.

Neil Boland (Vocals, Guitar), Felix Elliot (Organ/keyboard), Brett Evan (sax), Alex Howroyd (trumpet), Craig Strain (bass), Remie de Pree (drums).