Sweet Felicia

Sweet Felicia is the undisputed doyenne of blues bass and vocals in Australia and is especially passionate about performing from the heart with power, with groove, with truth and with love.  All the important ingredients she says, for her musical cook-up. 

She is a songwriter, bassist and vocalist whose songs have been covered by her peers. Her powerhouse grooves, contagious passion for enjoying every note, and warm, natural stage presence have taken her to the USA, UK, and across Europe and she’s opened for the likes of BB King and Ron Wood. 

With a career spanning 49 years, a mighty stack of album credits and tours across the world, this multi-award-winning artist has been leading her own band at major festivals and venues since 1999.

As well as being an integral member of several iconic Aussie blues acts including The Chris Wilson Band and Li’l Fi and The Delta Rhythm Kings, she’s also been the ‘go to’ bass player for international artists like Bill Kirchen (USA) and Ben Waters (UK) and Sean Kershaw (USA) for their Australian tours.

The ultimate moment in her career she cites as supporting BB King’s 1996 concert at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre where he graciously took time to meet his “co-stars” (Li’l Fi and the Delta Rhythm Kings) and sign her Telecaster Bass. “He was the most gracious presence and even though he was such a world-wide legend, he took time and spent at least ten minutes talking to us all, giving us his blessing and making us feel great about playing the blues and continuing his legacy!”

In 2010, Felicia was named Melbourne Blues Artist of the Year and represented the city at the International Blues Competition in Memphis, Tennessee in 2011, where her band, comprising Dave Birtwell (Guitar) and Scott Bennet (Drums) made it into the top 40 out of 250 bands world-wide to compete in the semi-finals. Although narrowly missing out on getting to the grand final, this effort brought world-wide attention and kick-started her overseas touring.

Although blues is her musical focus, Sweet Felicia is very passionate about a wide range of genres and has worked in a number of projects including 10 piece acapella group ‘The Flannelettes’ and ‘Gospel Belles’ as well as touring as an integral member of international act “The Beez” in Europe for 6 months. 

Being a strong believer in the healing power of music, Sweet Felicia is also mentors up and coming musicians and songwriters of all ages and has worked teaching music and songwriting with The Mental Health Network, Wild at Heart, MBAS Youth in Blues. Echuca Winter Blues Songwriters Studio, High Voltage Rock School and Germany’s Blues in Schools.

 “Sweet Felicia knows how to make a band's music move with her bass and her voice soars above it like a bird... a sassy, take-no-crap kinda bird at that."  - Jeff Lang