Daron MacDonald

“With Simen returning to Norway, I was on the lookout for another keys man. When Pete Fountain gave me Daron's number, I was expecting him to be good. He turned out to be one of the best!" Darcy Perry

In demand session player Daron MacDonald cut his teeth in the "old school" way with Tuhi Timoti, the musical director for Billy T James.

Daron has been a mighty force in the New Zealand music scene, working with the Maori Volcanics, Cornerstone Roots, Katchafire, Chub Renata Blues Revue, Whirimako Black, the late Ian McCook, Billy TK Jnr, Pete Fountain... as well as a host of Australian and international artists (The Drifters, etc.) during twenty years between the Waikato and the Outback.

A veteren musician, Daron brings the special kind of stuff you can't learn in a music institution.

Adam 'Mani' Sharplin

“I was eighteen when I met Regan Perry, which was a big turn around in my music. He asked me if I played bass and I said yes... I went home that night, bought my friends acoustic bass off him for $200, ripped the frets out and stayed up all night practicing until I had each song down perfect!" Adam Sharplin

A Steiner School kid, Mani started learning the piano at six with regular, graded lessons. At twelve, influenced by rock and metal music, he started learning the drums and guitar. Playing drums through school in various rock, jazz and orchestral groups, he began learning the clarinet and sax, only to return to the drums.

By the end of his teens Mani was listening to more jazz, blues, classical and reggae music. He had also (suddenly) taken up bass guitar and was working with local roots musician Regan Perry, touring around the cafe and festival circuits playing both jazz and original music. Through Regan, a connection was made with brother Darcy and the rest as they say, is history.

Mani lives in the Bay of Plenty with his two dogs Manu and Pipi. He works at Bay City Music Works, does door work (security) in the evenings for local clubs and also runs his own surf school over the summer. Mani loves his family, surfing, hunting (pigs, deer and birds), fighting (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu), sports and music. He has performed with Cornerstone roots, Katchafire, Rhombus, Holly Smith, Blue King Brown, The Aviators, The Tiger Hour... the list goes on.

Currently Mani is playing with Regan Perry, Darcy Perry and his own reggae/indie band called The Deeds which includes Damo Innes, Nick (dawg) Ririnui and Aaron Saxon.

Emanuel Comer

“I have met many talented musicians in my life and yet this man continues to amaze me. He's not just an incredible technician. Emanuel brings a creativity that embodies the spirit of drummers like Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich." Darcy Perry

Virtuoso multi-instrumentalist Emanuel Comer was first introduced to Darcy Perry by Craig Bracken, after seeing him drumming for iconic bluesman, the late Ian MacCook. Requiring a Waikato based drummer, Emanuel was recruited for three shows, taking the Darcy Perry Blues Band throne after the first rehearsal.

A student at Wintec, his side-projects include Synchretic-metal band "Synkretismos" and his own songwritintg alter-ego, Dr.Eam. Emanuel is a member of the Hamilton Record Club and performs session work with international artists like Bjorn Arntsen.

Emanuel also co-founded DragonSoul (formerly Red Dynasty), the first heavy band in New Zealand to mix metal/rock music with Chinese musical elements as well as some symphonic orchestration, to bring West and East together.

When he's not drumming, Emanuel enjoys studying, drawing, listening to music, writing, meditation, reading, socialising and discussing things like Sustainable Living and Sacred Geometry.

Joel Shadbolt

“Joel was just a fresh-faced kid, sitting with his folks near the stage when I walked in. I jokingly asked him if he wanted to play. He just stared wide-eyed and nodded. Ten minutes later his dad hauls an amp over and Joel sits in with the band for the set! The joke was on me. The boy could tear it up!" Darcy Perry

The only child of musical parents, Joel has been performing since he was three years old - from the moment his father handed him a ukulele he was hooked!

Joel has been wowing Bay Of Plenty audiences since he first appeared on the blues scene aged twelve years old. At fifteen he returned from a jaw dropping tour of the States which included meeting and playing with Buddy Guy's band.

Already a seasoned band leader he is a beacon of hope for the future of New Zealand Blues.