The Band

Jim Conway has assembled an astonishing array of talent to galvanise the ranks of his new dream band. “Big Wheel” boasts an absolute all-star line up of musicians who share Jim’s passion for Blues, Jump and Swing. Big Wheel features the talents of Jim Conway, Don Hopkins, Dave Wray (aka Frank Bennett), Arne Hanna, Stan Valacos and Andy Byrnes. Each member of ‘Big Wheel’ is uniquely talented and stylistically distinctive and while they each draw from a wide source of influences, collectively they exhibit an instantaneous and uncanny empathy.

This fusion of diverse inspiration is evident in the Big Wheel’s mostly original repertoire that draws on 30’s swing and boogie, 40’s and 50’s rhythm and blues, Caribbean, Latin and New Orleans stylistic elements. It’s little wonder that their inaugural CD, Little Story received an ARIA nomination for Best Blues Album in 2004. From its humble beginnings in Jim Conway’s lounge room, Big Wheel had the magic, a distinctive sound that jelled from the start.

Over the past four years the band has performed at many festivals including Port Fairy Folk Festival, Bellingen Jazz Festival, Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Brunswick Music Festival, Illawarra Jazz Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Narooma Blues & Roots Festival, Kiama Jazz Festival and Balmain Acoustica. They recently appeared at the 2007 Wangaratta Festival in Victoria where they performed new material, before heading into the studio in December 2007 to record a long awaited second CD. The amazing George Washingmachine and Ian Date were their special guests.

Band Members

Jim Conway: Harmonica, backing vocals
(Backsliders, Conway Bros, Captain Matchbox)

Arne Hanna: Guitar, Vocals
(Jackie Orszaczky, Lilly Dior)

Don Hopkins: Keyboards, Vocals
(Gumbo Fever, Dr Don’s Double Dose)

Andrew Byrnes: Drums & Percussion
(Hughie & The Swing Thing, Psycho Zydeco)

Stan Valacos: Bass Stan Valacos
(The Young Olympians)

Dave Wray (aka Frank Bennett): Sax, Vocals
(Eddy’s, Layabouts, Foreday Riders, Bellydance)