INTRODUCING DILLION JAMES

Dillion James specialises in starting the party with his New Orleans piano grooves, funky Hammond Organ, and raw honest vocals. Influenced heavily by the pioneers of blues piano & Hammond organ, Dillion's powerful stage presence makes an instant impact.

 

Dillion released his full-length album ‘HEAVY KEYS’ in 2024. It reached #1 on the Australian Blues and Roots Airplay Charts. The album stayed in the charts for over 12 months and has put Dillion on stage at many blues festival stages around the country.

 

‘HEAVY KEYS’ features Melbourne drumming legend John Watson behind the kit and Mississippi based saxophone legend ‘Buddy Leach’ (long-time member of George Thorogood & The Destroyers) who played most of the sax on the recording. A hand-picked cast of Brisbane’s finest blues musicians also played on the album, including string shredding brother 8 Ball Aitken, who co-wrote 4 of the tracks.

 

Over the last twenty years of gigging on the festival and blues circuit, Dillion has re-birthed an energetic sound that encapsulates the tone of an earlier era. His self-taught keyboard technique binds melody and rhythm together, and like a real bluesman, has paid his dues performing and perfecting his craft on the road and at the late-night gigs.

 

Dillion James won the 2010 BASEQ blues performer of the year award. Either with his own band, or as a session musician, Dillion has tickled the ivories on many of the biggest stages in Australian blues music. He has played at Byron Bluesfest, Blues on Broadbeach, Woodford Festival, Mitchell Creek Rock & Blues Festival and many more.