Jez Durant
Guitars/Vocals
An English blues, swing and country guitarist Jez has around 30 years of live music and recording experience. He has played in and recorded with many blues and swing bands most notably the Pete Mitchell –Smith Blues Band and The Mighty 11-90’s. These two bands were stalwarts of the British Blues scene throughout the 1990’s and into the 2000’s. Members of these bands included associates and personnel of international artists such as Nina Simone, Van Morrison, Paul McCartney, Ricky Skaggs, Smokey Robinson and Duane Eddy.
In the early 2000’s Jez moved to London to continue his music career. He met and formed an acoustic duo with Northern Irish singer/songwriter Niall Kelly. They played wholly original material with a Country/Folk/Jazz tinge. Kelly and Durant quickly became favourites on the London Psych Folk scene and gained a residency at the world famous 12 Bar Club on Denmark Street in the heart of London’s Soho district.
Jez made the move to Sydney Australia in 2006 after meeting his Australian wife Philippa. He continued to develop his guitar style and branched out into the Merle Travis/Chet Atkins playing style. From 2005-06 Jez joined Sydney based Rockabilly band No Brakes where his swing blues guitar style was used to blistering effect.
He is now a member of the El Dorados along with Nick Churkin and Peter O’Neill.