Jim Conway

Location: Sydney, NSW

Challenge: Multiple Sclerosis

 

Jim Conway is acknowledged as a highly accomplished harmonica player whose distinctive style is well known to blues, jazz and country music enthusiasts. His extensive career includes national tours with American bluesman Brownie McGhee, The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, Circus Oz, The Backsliders and Jim Conway's Big Wheel.

Jim was a member of the Conway Brother's Hiccups Orchestra from 1984 - 1988 and toured the U.K. in 1986, appearing at the Edinburgh Festival, the Capitol Music Festival and the Newcastle Festival. In early 1988, the Conway Brothers appeared at the Houston International Festival, World Expo 88 and the Perth Festival. Jim also joined the Backsliders in the latter part of 1988, touring nationally at festivals including the Perth, Alelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne Festivals, Womad, the East Coast Blues Festival and the Gold Coast International Jazz and Blues Festival.

In 2006, Jim resigned from the Backsliders to focus on his own band, Jim Conway's Big Wheel, which had already achieved a high level of success within the Australian music scene since it's inception 2002.

Jim is an extremely versatile musician which has also made him a sought after session musician. He has recorded with numerous artists including Shane Howard (Goanna Band), Colin Hay (Men at Work), Jon Lord (Deep Purple), Bob Brozman, Slim Dusty, Jan Preston, Tim Gaze, Dutch Tilders, Anne Kirkpatrick and Pat Drummond.

A documentary film celebrating Jim's contribution to Australian music was screened on S.B.S. Television in July 2000 In 2003 Jim was also awarded the prestigious Centenary Medal in recognition of his contribution to the Arts. At the 2000 Sydney Paralympics Opening Ceremony Jim performed a piece of music specially written to feature his harmonica playing.

The Jim Conway Story