Geoff LeBlanc
Geoff Le blanc (The Le Blanc Brothers) Geoff LeBlanc — of Cajun family origin was brought up with stories of cousins in the bayous and swamps of Louisiana who played cowboy music on accordions and fiddles.
After a misspent life playing folk music, he finally saw the light! Laissez le bon temps rouler!’
He traveled to South West Louisiana and Eastern Canada in 1992 and was able to meet people and to learn much specific information regarding old traditions, Acadian and Cajun music ways and family history. Genealogical details and places of historic importance to his Acadian French community that survive to this day in both Eastern Canada and South West Louisiana.
Discography:
LeBlanc Bros Cajun Aces– Chank a Chank
Neil Adam – Aussie Lullaby
Joe Paolacci – The Southern Cross is calling me
Cajun Roux – Gumbo
Louisa Wise – Sweet Birds
LeBlanc Bros Cajun Band – self titled
LeBlanc Bros Cajun Band – Voyage
Billy Abbott
Billy Abbott (Crawfish Dave) on lead vocals, soulful clarinet and snappy washboard brings a wealth of Zydeco/Cajun experience. Scottish Born and bred, Billy moved to Melbourne way back in the 90’s and formed the Zydeco-rocking Crawfish Dave who quickly shot to prominence playing The East Coast Blues and Roots Fest twice over The band toured and played all the major festivals on the East Coast.
Billy has founded and led numerous bands over the last 30yrs including The Nudgels and Big Fat Skank. He formed Harmaniax in 2011, nurturing the band to become Australia’s premier Cajun/Zydeco band.
Billy helped found The Dili Allstars in 1999, and co-wrote the hit song Liberdade and traveled to East Timor to play on the Tour Of Duty lineup with the likes of John Farnham and Kylie Minogue.
Billy plays Sax, Clarinet, and Friottre as well as providing handles lead and harmony vocals.
Discography
Crawfish Dave – live
Crawfish Dave – crawfish Dave
Dilli Alstars .. Liberdade
The Nudgels – Self Titled
The Nudgels – from the Inch to here
The Nudgels – Shameless
Ben Smith band – devil on my shoulders
Ben Smith band – Autumn
Ruth Bell – tides and emotions
Munchy Dolphin – Summertime
Nick Thorpe
Nick Thorpe (Bass and vocals)… Nick has been working as a double bass player in South Australia and Victoria for 40 years, most recently with The Prayerbabies, Peter and the Wolves, The Martini Set and country/bluegrass stalwarts Family Farm. He is part of the Midnight Assembly recording project. He writes and releases original material as Stepkid, which includes hiphop collaborations with local Melbourne rising star 01.Ekka.
Discography:
The Prayerbabies – Journey to the West Pole
The Prayerbabies – Sundee Best
Louisa Wise – All of these Things (nominated for best Victorian Folk Album of 2020)
Midnight Assembly – Interstate – 2021
StepKid + 01.Ekka – St Nevers Day
Peter and the Wolves – Self Titled – 2022
Paul Dalby
Paul Dalby has been making people dance with his guitar since the late 70’s. From punk rock with the Brats in Adelaide to riding the new wave to Melbourne to lounge jazz with the Rococo Pops to country excursions with the Never-really brothers and the Colonial V Knees to adult pop with the Prayerbabies and currently shaking out some Cajun rhythms with the Harmaniax.
Paul Jonas
Paul Jonas, fiddle and vocals
Paul Jonas is driven with a passion for performance borne from klezmer roots and gypsy spirit. Paul offers up spontaneous and captivating melodies audiences adore, crafted from classical training and a lifetime commitment.
Paul has been a mainstay of the Melbourne music scene, delivering performances for dancing and good times at a rocking pace, leading with colour and sensitivity with artists such as Nick Charles and Mick Pealing. A versatile festival professional boasting Woodford, Port Fairy, Gympie Muster and more. Paul’s vivacious and energetic stage presence, central to the band, connects with audiences with positivity and joy.
DIscography
The Warner Brothers Talking in Your Sleep 1992
Overnight Jones Not Brothers Anymore 1993
My Private Train 1994
Penelope Swales Returning on Foot 1995
Penelope Swales Homemade Wine 1997
Pheasant Pluckers Something for Mabel 1998
Pheasant Pluckers The Rising Sun Sets 2000
TPheasant Pluckers ake Me There 2003
James Dixon Is Pure Dope for The People 2004
Treehouse We’re all Here 2002
Eton Pushey Robot Lemonade 2005
Angie Hart Grounded Bird 2007
Nick Charles Closer to Home 2008
The River Flows 2015
Helen Begley The Bride 2010
The Quality Lightweights I Thought I’d Be Someone by Now 2011
Vanessa Craven Forbidden dance 2016
Dan Harvey
Dan Harvey, Drums. Dan comes from a family of musicians. A seasoned musician, he has spent his career working with jazz, pop, and funk bands. Working with “The Beachy Boys Show” and “The Australian Bee Gees Show” over the past 25 years has set Dan a solid foundation in the commercial musical scene.
Funk and RnB is Dan’s true calling though, with long-term stints with “Bootiejuice”, Bob Jonson’s Hideaway, and “The Groovedoctors” where Dan was fortunate to team up with Stuart Martin on Bass. Dan has also been the long-time drummer for Melbourne’s favourite pub band The Prayerbabies, Dan also adds his great vocals, drums & experience to Funked Up, one of the country’s premier purveyors of fine groove.