Singer/songwriter and guitarist Jim McClelland, his brother Belly (harmonica) and Sandra (bass guitarist and wife of Jim) were born and bred in WA's remote wheat belt – a harshly beautiful environment complete with dust and flies, but with not a lot else to do but focus on their shared love of music. When you listen to Blue Shaddy’s songs you get a strong sense of where these three come from and it is very much apparent that their heart still lies in their country roots.

Arunachala (known simply as Arun) Satgunasingam grew up in Kuala Lumpur, immersed in the sights and sounds of cultural and religious family events, where he would soak up the South Indian rhythms and street beats in a childhood that led him to end up studying at the Conservatorium of Music in Perth, studying contemporary percussion and Latin jazz.  Arun has played for artists of the calibre of Michael Franti, Jeff Martin, and acclaimed London beat maker Mark De Clive Lowe.

A chance meeting with Jim McClelland at a local music store in Perth led to Arun filling in for an absent Sandy at a few low-key acoustic gigs.  A friendship started, and from this point, Jim and Arun began to craft a new sound for Blue Shaddy – one that infused world beats and contemporary percussion into the Shaddy’s existing blues/ roots sound.

After a couple of years with this line-up and an album later, friend and fellow percussionist Kanchana Karunaratna was invited to add essential percussive elements to the band.

Born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Kanchana is an exponent of traditional Sri Lankan Folk music. Kanchana has contributed towards promoting traditional Sri Lankan drumming and dancing in Perth as a teacher and choreographer. In 2006 Kanchana promoted a sold out international tour of Sri Lankan folk artists called Rhythms of Sri Lanka. Since relocating to Australia Kanchana has expanded his repertoire by learning West African and Afro Cuban percussion under Melbourne based Master Percussionist Ray Pereira.

Kanchana and Arun share a common knowledge and passion for the rhythms of their ancestors and present day influences. Their talents bring an unmistakable and essential ingredient to the Blue Shaddy sound.

The end result of this combination of musicians is something very special.

Festival highlights:

• Woodford Folk Festival 2007
• West Coast Blues and Roots Festival, 2005/2006/2007
• East Coast Blues and Roots Festival, 2007
• Blues on Broadbeach 2007
• The Australian Blues Awards 2007
• The Bridgetown Blues Festival consecutively for the past 6 years
• The UBLUES blues/roots & soul Festival, Singapore 2002 & 2003
• The Vintage Blues and Roots Festival, Albany (2005, 2006, 2007)
• The Mordialloc Festival Melbourne 2006,
• The Whale shark Festival, Exmouth 2006.