Izzy Miller Bell & Susan L Grant

This year the Hanmer Jazz and Blues Festival features two of New Zealand’s leading female acoustic blues roots artists. They are Izzy Miller Bell and Susan L Grant, combining talents in The Women’s Division to deliver a weekend of classic country blues jazz and soul.

These two blues mamas have been strutting their stuff on stage in various guises since the early 90’s keeping alive the early tradition of women in blues, performing original compositions and classic covers by the likes of Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie, Robert Johnstone Johnny Cash, Dylan and others.

Born on the Clydside town of Greenock in Scotland Izzy Miller Bell is heralded as one of NZ’s most musical Scottish imports. She is a singer songwriter, a weaver of stories and blues icon who has been capturing the hearts of enthusiastic audiences locally, nationally and internationally with her powerful yet soothing soulful voice and compelling warm stage presence.

Susan L Grant is arguably one of the most inventive female blues and folk guitarists in New Zealand. She is an instrumentalist, arranger and accompanist who took out a coveted award at the 2011 prestigious New Zealand Golden Guitars. Susan plays fingerstyle and slide guitar, her love of all “strings” acoustic has recently extended itself to banjo. Susan’s playing is sensitive yet gutsy and edgy making her playing style the perfect accompaniment to the chocolate hazelnut voice of Isabella Miller bell.

Izzy and Susan come together in The Women’s Division to present their unique brand of acoustic roots and blues delivered with style and attitude.