▪ Wrote her first song at age 7 and hasn't stopped
▪ Fell helplessly and hopelessly in love with the harmonica 20 years ago and has been performing ever since
▪ Fronted The Dynamic Lifters from 1995 to 2002
▪ Played harp with The VanVeen Band from 2002 to 2006
▪ Was a member of renowned vocal trio The Blues Cowgirls from 2002 to 2005
▪ Formed KarismaKatz in 2004
▪ Has a distinctive harmonica style which has developed over the years. Influential players include Sonny Terry, Jim Conway and Charlie Musselwhite
▪ Is vocally influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Dinah Washington, Ma Rainey and Carmen McRae
▪ Received awards from the Canberra Blues Society in recognition of her harmonica, vocal and songwriting talents
▪ Is a Finalist in the Female Vocalist category of the 2012 Australian Blues Music 'Chain' Awards
▪ Became a full-time musician after winning her battle with breast cancer in 2007
▪ Recorded a new album every year since 2007 and a 5 track EP in 2011
▪ Often changes her hair colour and has been known to wear wigs
▪ Has been known as Janet, Janey, Georgie, Sarah-Jane-Mary-Elizabeth, Shirley, Ruby Blue, Dorothy-Jane, DJ, DeeJay, Dj and Deej. Her real name is Dorothy-Jane (for the time being)
▪ Guested and jammed with Fiona Boyes, Dutch Tilders, Jim Conway, Damon Davies, Damian Coen, Dave O’Neill, Kate Meehan, Ross Ward, Jan Preston, Glen Terry, KNiKi & Mike and the USA’s Eugene Hideaway-Bridges and Austin Walking Cane
▪ Currently tours Australia wowing audiences with her chops and charm
Dorothy-Jane included in an ABC Radio National Program
'Into The Music' - The Humble Harp'.
The program offers an overview of the harmonica in Australia from its patriotic heyday in the 30s, through its blues and country incarnations to its emerging role in orchestral and world music.
Blues Awards:
2005: The independent release of The Blues Cowgirls CD ‘Ask Any Woman’ was awarded Best CD of the Year by Canberra Roots Music.
2007: Canberra Blues Society Blues Awards: Best Vocalist, Best Instrumentalist and Best Song (Burn Baby Burn, co-written with Christo Carlsen).
2009: With a record number of entrants in 2009, DJ again scooped the Canberra Blues Society Blues Awards this time winning Female Blues Vocalist, Blues Song “Baby Rose” (co-written with Lynnie Gosper) and Best Blues Album “Hot Flush Blues”.
2009: With a record number of entrants in 2009, DJ again scooped the Canberra Blues Society Blues Awards this time winning Female Blues Vocalist, Blues Song “Baby Rose” (co-written with Lynnie Gosper) and Best Blues Album “Hot Flush Blues”.
Dorothy-Jane performs with Baz Cooper, Paul Leeder and Mikey Stratford.
Band Member's Bios
