"the most intensely electrifying experience in Australian blues today’ ...The Age

For more than thirty-five years, CBL has carved out its place as a blues, roots and soul institution in Australia — a band built on  improvisation, instinct, heart and serious musical firepower.

Led by astonishing singer, songwriter and drummer Carl Pannuzzo, CBL has featured a rich mix of musicians over its lifetime. For the New Zealand tour, Carl is joined by Richard Tankard on keys and Shannon Bourne on guitar, who together, on stage light up the blues, soul and roots music igniting it with dazzling virtuosity, deep groove and fearless improvisation. From the very first bar of the first song the chemistry is unmistakable.

Every performance carries a spark of discovery. With a playful, almost childlike sense of adventure, the band reinvents the music night after night — immediate, authentic and impossible to predict. From standing ovations at festivals to packed Melbourne pubs, CBL leaves audiences lifted, energised and completely enthralled. This is music played with honesty, integrity and raw feeling — the very essence of a live show that stays with you long after the final note.

Band Members

Carl Pannuzzo. As a drummer and vocalist Pannuzzo shifts the parameters of both instruments, weaving a fascinating collaboration between his fluid drumming style and striking, diverse vocal range. Over the years Carl has performed with Kylie Auldist, Mia Dyson, Paul Grabowsky, Shane Howard, Patti Labelle, Fred Smith, Deb Morrow and Bob Sedergreen. He is the powerhouse frontman of CBL with the ability to ignite a roaring flame under a song and pin the audience against the back wall of the venue.

Richard Tankard Tank is a singer, songwriter and pianist responsible for the funk, he is the owner of the fattest piano riffs, while holding down the bass with his left hand and he delivers a diverse blues/funk/soul/rock mash  up to anything he collaborates on. He is much in demand as a session musician and has toured with several notable acts including Albert Lee.

Shannon Bourne can only be described as an extraordinarily accomplished and tasty guitarist who has been performing since he was fourteen. He delivers a beautiful balance between full on rocking solos to gentle fills and riffs, augmented by inscrutable rhythm and timing. He brings the unique wow factor to Checkerboard, often leading or instigating changes in feel, rhythm and tempo within the band. Voted people’s choice Blues Legend Winner 2023 by Blues Music Voctoria.

Official You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmDrj9imSfVpfL66eoL-JDA

Website: www.checkerboardlounge.com.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/checkerboardmusic

Bandcamp:  https://cheersquadrecordstapes.bandcamp.com/album/sun-sessions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1hl42NvJlfcrAzqxNzaVrY