DALE BARLOW QUINTET
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One of Australia's most accomplished saxophonists, Dale Barlow spent much of the 1980s in the USA, working with such names as Art Blakey, Cedar Walton and Elvin Jones. At home, he has worked with such names as Paul Grabowsky, James Morrison, and various bands under his own leadership. |
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SHANNON BARNETT QUARTET Melbourne trombonist Shannon Barnett has worked with such artists as Barney McAll, Andrea Keller and Vada. Her own Quartet features Nash Lee (guitar), Chris Hale (bass guitar) and Ben Hendry (drums). |
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BLOW Blow presents the more 'avant garde' side of Ted Vining's persona, but the music is still based on a powerful pulse, and a keen sense of interplay between the members of the ensemble. They are Peter Harper (saxophone, flute), Ian Dixon (trumpet), Simon Kent (trombone), Bob Sedergreen (piano), Michael Meagher (bass) and Ted Vining (drums). |
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BLUE DRAG Led by violin virtuoso Nigel MacLean, Blue Drag plays swinging jazz standards in the '30s swing style, with a particular influence from the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. With Peter Baylor (guitar), Nara Demasson (guitar), Frank Di Sario (bass) and Julie O'Hara (vocals). |
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ALLAN BROWNE and MARGIE LOU DYER : ALLFREY STREET BAND Allan Browne (drums, vocals) and Margie Lou Dyer (piano, vocals) will perform American and Australian jazz classics, along with Stephen Grant (cornet), Jo Stevenson (clarinet), John Scurry (banjo, guitar), Howard Cairns (bass). |
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ROB BURKE QUARTET One of Melbourne's leading tenor saxophonists, having worked with everyone from Vince Jones to Tony Gould or The Black Sorrows, Rob Burke performs original compositions with several bands. At Wangaratta this year, he will be joined by Steve Magnusson (guitar), Nick Haywood (bass) and Tony Floyd (drums). |
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FIONA BURNETT and DAVID JONES Soprano saxophonist Fiona Burnett and drummer David Jones have worked together for several years now, mainly in various ensembles led by Fiona. They first played in a duo setting at Wangaratta a few years ago, and later agreed to explore that format more extensively. |
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JOE CHINDAMO A pianist and arrange who has enjoyed considerable acclaim in international circles, Joe Chindamo developed this band, The Romantic Project, to explore his love of music from the romantic traditions of Italian opera and folk songs, Brazilian bossa nova and Argentinian tango. Joe Chindamo (piano), Nigel MacLean (violin), Hugh Stuckey (guitar), Sam Anning (bass). |
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AARON CHOULAI SEXTET The latest group formed by Aaron Choulai to play his original compositions, the Sextet features Eugene Ball (trumpet), Carlo Barbaro (saxophones), Geoff Hughes (guitar), Sam Anning (bass), Rory McDougall (drums). |
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CRESCENT CITY SERENADERS A new band on the Melbourne scene, the Crescent City Serenaders features clarinetists Barry Wratten and Michael McQuaid, along with Eric Gibbons (trombone), Liam O'Connell (banjo, guitar), Richard Mander (bass) and Lynn Wallis (drums). |
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IAN DATE QUARTET A brilliant, swinging guitarist who has appeared at Wangaratta in previous years with the late Tom Baker or George Washingmachine, Ian Date is now living in Ireland. On this welcome visit back home, Ian will be joined by younger brother, Nigel Date (guitar), along with Howard Cairns (bass) and Ronny Ferella (drums). |
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MARK FITZGIBBON TRIO Mark Fitzgibbon, who won the National Jazz Awards at Wangaratta in 1991, is a first-rate jazz pianist who has excelled both at home and in the UK, working with such names as Mark Murphy, Dale Barlow, Bernie McGann, Claire Martin and Nichaud Fitzgibbon. He will perform jazz standards and original compositions with his Trio, featuring Sam Anning (bass) and Niko Schauble (drums). |
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GOULD-MANINS-JONES Pianist Tony Gould, cellist Imogen Manins and drummer David Jones are three exceptionally sensitive improvisers, as shown on their ABC Classics cd, Under The Tall Trees, which features compositions drawn from a wide array of sources, as well as spontaneous improvisations. |
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PAUL GRABOWSKY QUINTET One of Australia's most accomplished jazz musicians, pianist, composer and bandleader Paul Grabowsky has worked with many leading musicians in Australia, and from other countries. His 2003 album, Tales Of Time And Space, featured Paul and trumpeter Scott Tinkler in the company of renowned US jazzmen, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis and Jeff Watts. Paul will revisit that repertoire at Wangaratta, with Joe Lovano (tenor saxophone), Scott Tinkler (trumpet), Philip Rex (bass) and Simon Barker (drums). |
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HANNAFORD-ANNING-BROWNE A free-flowing conversation between Marc Hannaford (piano), Sam Anning (bass) and Allan Browne (drums), on jazz standards and original compositions. |
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THE ANTRIPODEAN COLLECTIVE Four outstanding improvisers from Melbourne and Brisbane combine their musical imaginations, to explore the possibilities of free improvisation : Marc Hannaford (piano), Scott Tinkler (trumpet), John Rodgers (violin) and Ken Edie (drums). |
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ZAC HURREN TRIO A fiery and exuberant tenor saxophonist from Brisbane, Zac Hurren will lead his Trio, with Sam Anning (bass) and Sam Bates (drums), playing music from Zac's acclaimed Jazzhead cd, Exordium. |
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IMPRESSIONS TRIO Two of the elder statesmen of Australian jazz, drummer Ted Vining and pianist Bob Sedergreen have been playing together for almost 40 years now. The passing of Barry Buckley signalled the end of their long-running association in the Ted Vining Trio. But they continue to play together in the Impressions Trio, with young bassist Michael Meagher, creating jazz that is audacious, joyful and hard-swinging. |
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SAM KEEVERS NONET Pianist-composer Sam Keevers has excelled as an accompanist for artists like Vince Jones and Kate Ceberano, in the quartet Red Fish Blue, and as leader of the exciting latin jazz band, Los Cabrones. Here, he leads a stellar lineup, with Scott Tinkler (trumpet), Jordan Murray (trombone), Bernie McGann (alto sax), Jamie Oehlers (tenor sax), Steve Magnusson (guitar), Des White (bass), Simon Barker (drums) and Javier Fredes (percussion). |
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ANDREA KELLER Pianist-composer Andrea Keller has won acclaim as one of Australia's most interesting jazz composers, chiefly for her work with the Andrea Keller Quartet. Here, she will play solo piano, presenting her arrangements and improvisations on themes by the great Wayne Shorter, as heard on her ABC Jazz cd, Footprints : The Wayne Shorter Project. |
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LOST AND FOUND This co-operative band combines the talents of Paul Grabowsky (piano), Jamie Oehlers (tenor saxophone) and Dave Beck (drums). They play 'free improvisations', with a focus on spontaneously-negotiated structures and melodic development. |
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BERNIE McGANN An iconic figure in Australian jazz, a veteran who has always played in a fiercely original style and waited for the audience to catch up with him, alto saxophonist Bernie McGann is still playing with remarkable creativity. His latest band features Warwick Alder (trumpet), Brendan Clarke (bass) and Andrew Dickeson (drums). |
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JAMES MULLER A guitarist whose exceptional technical facility is allied to drive, imagination and shrewd musical instincts, James Muller has been in demand on the Sydney scene over the last decade, working with such names as Mike Nock, Dale Barlow, Mark Isaacs, James Morrison, Vince Jones..........the list could go on. He recorded his last album (Kapow!, on Birdland) in New York, with Matt Penman and Bill Stewart. At Wangaratta, he will perform with Matt Penman (bass) and Ben Vanderwal (drums), and for part of the set, James' favourite guitarist : John Scofield. John doesn't sit in with just anyone ; he's heard James on disc, and can't wait to hear him onstage. |
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NATIONAL JAZZ AWARDS : BASS Ten of Australia's finest young bassists will vie for this prestigious award, accompanied by Sam Keevers (piano) and Simon Barker (drums). |
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MICHELLE NICOLLE Winner of the National Jazz Awards at Wangaratta in 1998, Michelle Nicolle has since won recognition as one of Australia's finest jazz singers, and has toured to events like the Jarasum Jazz Festival in South Korea. She is joined by Geoff Hughes (guitar), Tom Lee (bass) and Ronny Ferella (drums), who have been working with Michelle for many years now, a fact evident in their superbly empathetic accompaniment. |
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MIKE NOCK New Zealand-born, Sydney based pianist Mike Nock is Australia's most internationally-experienced jazz musician. He continues to challenge himself, and delight audiences, in a variety of situations. At this year's Festival, he will perform a solo recital, exploring jazz standards and original themes. |
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JULIE O'HARA SEXTET A superbly swinging jazz singer, who has sometimes evoked comparisons with the great Anita O'Day, Julie O'Hara has been featured with such diverse bands as Bopkick, The Pearly Shells and Blue Drag. Her Sextet features Eamon McNelis (trumpet), Carlo Barbaro (tenor saxophone), Ben Winkelman (piano), Leigh Barker (bass) and Edward York (drums). |
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CRAIG SCOTT QUINTET One of the most respected bassists on the Australian scene (he has worked with such names as Don Burrows, Judy Bailey, Joe Henderson and Johnny Griffin), Craig Scott is also head of the jazz course at Sydney Conservatorium. His new band features Warwick Alder (trumpet), Paul Cutlan (saxophones), Tim Fisher (piano) and Tim Firth (drums), playing original compositions and jazz standards. |
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THE SHUFFLE CLUB A popular band on the Melbourne jazz scene since 1999, The Shuffle Club delivers an energetic, entertaining blend of swinging jazz, boogie and r&b. Ash Gaudion (saxophone, vocals), Dannie Bourne (piano, vocals), Paul Griska (bass, vocals), Rod Gilbert (drums, vocals). |
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KERRI SIMPSON and FRIENDS A popular and respected performer across a range of roots music styles, Kerri Simpson sings gospel music with great feeling and authority. She will be joined by a stellar band : Mark Fitzgibbon (piano), Tim Neal (organ), Paul Williamson (saxophone), Dean Addison (bass) and Mark Grunden (drums). |
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SOUNDGUN A new band on the Sydney scene, Soundgun features Tom O'Halloran (piano), Jonathan Zwartz (bass) and Evan Mannell (drums), playing original music and arrangements of pieces by contemporary songwriters like Thom Yorke of Radiohead. |
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STEWART-SCURRY-BARKER Don Stewart (trumpet, trombone, vocals), John Scurry (banjo, guitar) and Leigh Barker (bass) formed this trio last year, to play both original material and not-too-standard standards. |
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TRIO APOPLECTIC This tight-knit Sydney trio has been winning fans since they began playing gigs for the Jazzgroove Association two years ago, and released their self-titled CD. Dave Jackson (alto saxophone), Abel Cross (bass), Alex Masso (drums). |
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UNITY SOUND This new ensemble is a cross-generational collaboration of musicians who revel in the freedom of spontaneous improvisation. Kris Wanders (tenor saxophone) is originally from Holland, and now lives in Melbourne, while Yusuke Akai (guitar) is originally from Japan, and now living in Brisbane. They will be joined by bassist Rory Brown from Sydney and drummer Robbie Avenaim from Melbourne. Between them, they have worked with such names as Peter Brotzmann, Han Bennink, John Zorn and Wadada Leo Smith. |
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VADA An exciting part of the Melbourne scene over the last 8 years, Vada plays the quirky, eclectic compositions of Aaron Choulai. Eamon McNelis (trumpet), Shannon Barnett (trombone), Carlo Barbaro (tenor saxophone), Aaron Choulai (piano), Tom Lee (bass), Rory McDougall (drums). |
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VIRUS Formed by the exciting young clarinetist Chris Tanner a decade ago, Virus is still one of the hottest combos on the Melbourne scene. Along with Chris, the frontline now features Don Stewart (trombone) and Eamon McNelis (trumpet), along with the stellar rhythm section of John Scurry (banjo, guitar), Andy Ross (bass) and Lynn Wallis (drums). |
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MEGAN WASHINGTON - PAUL GRABOWSKY SEPTET In Megan Washington, Paul Grabowsky was thrilled to discover a talented young jazz singer whose approach to songwriting complemented his own. They present an original repertoire, accompanied by Jamie Oehlers (tenor saxophone), Shannon Barnett (trombone), Steve Magnusson (guitar), Sam Anning (bass) and Niko Schauble (drums). |
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WAY OUT WEST This sextet presents a refreshingly original sound, combining jazz with influences from Vietnamese and West African music ; they performed at the Vancouver and Montreal jazz festivals in Canada in July. Peter Knight (trumpet, flugelhorn), Paul Williamson (tenor, baritone saxophone), Dung Nguyen (dan tranh, dan bau, guitar), Howard Cairns (bass), Dave Beck (drums), Ray Pereira (percussion). |
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LISA YOUNG QUARTET Melbourne singer Lisa Young is an exceptionally creative vocal stylist and improviser, who incorporates Indian vocal techniques in her solos. She won the 2007 Bell Award for Jazz Singer of the Year. Her long-established Quartet features Steve Magnusson (guitar), Ben Robertson (bass) and Dave Beck (drums). |
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The Wangaratta Festival Of Jazz always includes Victoria’s biggest and best blues program, with performers from the Sydney, Melbourne and beyond, all at the Blues Marquee. |
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GEOFF ACHISON and THE SOUL DIGGERS One of the hottest guitar slingers and singer-songwriters the Australian blues scene has produced, Geoff Achison has been winning fans in the USA since he first appeared at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 1995, to the point where he relocated there three years ago. On this keenly-anticipated tour back home, Geoff will be joined by the members of his original Souldiggers band : Mal Logan (keyboards), Roger McLachlan (bass guitar) and Gerry Pantazis (drums). |
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CHRIS WILSON and THE SPIDERMEN A powerful, compelling performer as a vocalist and harmonica player, Chris Wilson can always be relied on to deliver an exciting set of blues standards and blues-informed original songs. With Ron Tabuteau (guitar), Sweet Felicia (bass guitar) and Jason Liusoon (drums). |
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DUTCH TILDERS BAND A veteran of the Australian blues scene, Dutch Tilders has been playing the blues for 50 years now, and his life's experiences ring true in every song he sings. Dutch Tilders (vocals, guitar), Martin Cooper (guitar), Peter Beulke (bass), Rob O'Toole (drums). |
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ZYDECO JUMP An institution on the Melbourne roots music scene for two decades-plus, Zydeco Jump puts a distinctive Australian stamp on the renowned dance music of Louisiana known as 'zydeco'. George Butrumlis (accordion, vocals), Justin Brady (harmonica, violin, vocals), Gary Samolin (drums), Ben Taylor (rub-board), Alan Wright (bass, vocals), Don Stewart (trumpet, trombone), Dean Hilson (tenor saxophone), Aaron Searle (baritone saxophone). |
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COLLARD GREENS and GRAVY Acclaimed for their gritty, driving, down-home sound, Collard Greens And Gravy play a mostly-original repertoire that would sound right at home in a Mississippi juke joint. Ian Collard (harmonica, vocals, guitar), James Bridges (guitar), Anthony Shortte (drums, percussion). |
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LLOYD SPEIGEL Lloyd Spiegel (vocals, guitar) began performing blues music at the age of 10 ; not yet 30, he's a performer who combines the experience of a veteran with the energy of a young man who is passionate about the music he performs. He has released 6 albums, and has toured extensively in the USA, as well as in Europe. |
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JAIMI FAULKNER BAND Guitarist, singer and songwriter Jaimi Faulkner is one of the rising stars on the Melbourne blues scene. He won favorable reviews for his debut cd, Last Light, and has performed at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. With Berish Bilander (keyboards), Tim Keegan (bass) and Tim Burnham (drums). |
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MBAS YOUTH IN BLUES The Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society has worked hard over the last decade or more to foster young talent, and encourage them to develop an interest in blues. This year'' workshop program will culminate in a competition, where the winning band or artist will be invited to perform a showcase set on the blues stage at Wangaratta. |
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JAN PRESTON Australia's queen of blues and boogie piano, New Zealand-born, Sydney-based performer Jan Preston has performed on the main blues stage at Wangaratta in recent years. This year, she will make a special appearance at Amulet Vineyard, as part of a national tour. |