The Specialties have been captivating audiences up and down the East Coast with their electrifying, high energy performances—and now they’re bringing that firepower to the Illawarra Jazz Club on Saturday, 21 February from 2pm-5pm in BAR67.
They are also performing at Sounds of Jazz & Blues in Kiama on Sunday, March 8th. It’s a well deserved milestone for a band that has risen at remarkable speed, carving out a reputation as one of the most exciting new acts on the Australian jazz, blues and roots scene.
Despite their relatively short career, The Specialties have already earned eight Sydney Blues Society Award nominations in just two years, including Favourite Blues Band and Favourite Emerging Act. Their sound—an irresistible fusion of Jazz, Blues, Rockabilly, and Soul—feels both classic and fresh, driven by inventive arrangements and a rhythm section that hits with precision and swagger.
At the helm is Wayne Rigby, whose saxophone and flute work brings both finesse and fire. He’s joined by a lineup of some of Sydney’s finest musicians, each bringing deep experience, big personality, and a shared commitment to delivering shows that leave audiences buzzing.
In under two years, The Specialties have built an impressive festival résumé:
• Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival
• Girrakool Blues Festival
• House of Blues Festival, Coffs Harbour (two consecutive years)
• Blues & Brews Festival, Bulli
• And now the Illawarra Jazz Club
They’ve also shared stages with some of the country’s most respected artists, including Frank Sultana and Jesse Redwing, further cementing their place among Australia’s rising blues heavyweights.
With momentum building, hearts being won across NSW, and a sound that refuses to sit still, The Specialties are fast becoming a must see act wherever they play. Their upcoming appearance with the Illawarra Jazz Club is set to be another standout moment in a career that’s only just getting started.
Cost: $10 pay at the door (CASH/EFTPOS)
Venue: BAR67 in the Basement of Collegians Club in Charlotte St Wollongong
Time: Doors open strictly from 1pm - Music from 2pm - 5pm
Raffle Tickets: You can win cash and other great prizes - 3 tickets for $5.
Dance Floor:
Please note that BAR67 has tons of hard floor for you to trip the light fantastic, but it does not have a traditional dance floor in front of the band.
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