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A ‘roots’ performer in the true sense of the word, Juzzie Smith is swiftly turning self made institution. A drop of Tamworth, a sprig of Delhi, a dash of Arnhem Land and a hefty splash of New Orleans, those in the know have known for a while now, but the rest of us are about to find out…

The Story: Nigh on 5 years ago, tired of late nights gigging in smoky pubs, Juzzie quit the band he was playing with at the time, finished recording his second solo album, bought an old school bus, packed up his little family and took off on a busking tour of Australia. Traveling North through Darwin and then down through WA, he started off playing to crowds of fifty or so, collecting enough coin to pay for fuel whilst continually refining his songs, instruments and performance. By the time they arrived on the streets of Perth, Juzzie was pulling crowds of hundreds of people at a time.

The Album: Now, 15 000 self sold CD’s and a long distinguished list of support slots and festival appearances later, Juzzie Smith is set to release ‘Happy Daze’. His third album and most accomplished work to date; ‘Happy Daze’ is the closest a Juzzie Smith recording has come to capturing the impetuosity, vibe and unadulterated vigor of what it is that makes Juzzie a true musical entity unto himself: his live performances.

The Shows: Entirely bypassing the pub scene as he has done for years now in favour of the festivals, halls, markets and public barometer scenario’s that allow him to do what he does best, Juzzie Smith has just announced the first round of his official ‘Happy Daze’ launch dates (many more to be announced over the next few weeks):

Jan 19th - 30th Tamworth Country Music Fest
Fri Feb 2nd – Byron Bay Community Centre (Official Album Launch)
Fri Feb 9th – The Soundlounge, Currumbin (Gold Coast Album Launch)
Fri Feb 16th – The Upfront Club, Melaney (Sunshine Coast launch)
Saturday February 17th - Chinchilla Melon Festival
Fri April 6th– East Coast Blues n Roots Fest, Byron Bay, NSW
Sat 21st April - Apollo Bay Music Festival, Vic

The Performances: A simultaneous one man - slide guitar, yidaki (didgeridoo), customised suitcase stompbox, harmonica and vocal phenomenon, a Juzzie Smith live performance is not something easily captured in words. Even video doesn’t come close to actually being there, but is at least indicative. Including footage of Juzzie jamming with John Butler, the youtube link below is a pastiche of some of what Juzzie Smith is about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rywZTBQT3YQ

Juzzie Smiths recent rise as a solo performer on the national festival circuit has been nothing short of meteoric considering that his first true solo festival appearance, after years of honing his skills busking (winner of 2006 Busking Championships: Tamworth Country Music Festival), was only Woodford 05/06 last year. East Coast Blues n Roots Festival organizer Peter Noble caught Juzzie’s performance at said festival and personally invited him to perform at the 2006 East Coast Blues Fest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbVeyTDMY7c

Juzzie Smith’s music is the result of a much journeyed osmosis of many genres and cultures. The common thread is what he describes as Good Vibes. It’s upbeat, groovy music designed to get toes tapping and to make you feel good. Three tracks off ‘Happy Daze’ have already or are currently receiving JJJ play. Distributed through Vitamin, full dispersion and promo for ‘Happy Daze’ kicks off Feb 1st. Soul food for the modern world, served up to you by Juzzie Smith.

The Credits: Juzzie Smith started playing the harmonica at the age of thirteen, and by the age of 23 had won the coveted Golden Harmonica at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and the Byron Bay Blues Blowout twice, some of his credits to date include:

Australian National Harmonica Championships at Tamworth Country Music festival - Awarded a Golden Harmonica- as best Diatonic Harmonica Player- 1997, 2001, Tamworth Country Music festival – winner of busking championships 2006, Winner of the Annual blues blow out championships in Byron bay - 2001 and 2002.

2005/6 Woodford Folk Festival, Bridgetown Blues Festival - November 2006, Gympie Muster - August 2006, East Coast Blues and Roots Festival - Easter 2006, Blues on Broadbeach - May 2006, East Coast Blues Festival - Byron Bay 1996/98, Splendor in the Grass Festival, and Big Day Out with Couch Funk, Woodford Folk Festival 2001, 2002 with Shaded Faces, JigZag, Counterfeit Gypsies, and Jodi Martin, National Folk Festival - Canberra 1997, Frankston Guitar Festival - 1997, Goulburn Blues Festival - 1997, Lismore Folk Festival - 1997

Played and interviewed on ABC National Radio (Australian National Broadcasting Commission), Live to air on North Coast ABC afternoon show - November 2006,

Winner on the T.V program Hey Hey its Saturdays Red Faces - 1998, Interviewed on the subsequent T.V program Gonged But Not Forgotten - 1998, Good Vibes CD played on Triple J Radio as Xavier Rudd gives it credit - 2004, Good Morning Australia program (The National Morning Program) - 1997

East Coast tour with Damon Davies – 1998, National Tour playing with Pete Hawkes - 1997, played with other Notable artists/bands including: Peter Geiling, Blind Freddy, Streamliners, Jeff Lang, Pete Burgess (from the Backsliders), Andrew Clermont, Kristina Olsen, Amphibian and many more, sound clip for Digital Universe surf video by Marcus Baker

Performing with Airborne Blues Virus playing Harmonica/vocals - 2002 /03, Harmonica/vocalist for the Funky/Blues group JUKE- 1998, Stand-up comedian- 2000, Performed with Couch Funk playing Harmonica/guitar/vocals/sitar and Didgeridoo - 2001, Teaching all ages harmonica and guitar 1994, - Teach harmonica groups through ACE (Adult Community Education) - 2000/01/02/03

“I caught Juzzie at Woodford, and was mightily impressed. He is a fine Bluesman, a real discovery”
Peter Noble: Festival Director - East Coast Blues and Roots Festival