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Sandy Evans - tenor sax; James Greening - trombone; Gary Daley - piano/accordion; Jon Pease - guitar; Llyod Swanton - bass; Fabian Hevia - percussion; Hamish Stuart - drums
Formed in 1991, the Catholics are one of Australia’s most distinct contemporary ensembles. Over three decades, they have formed a unique body of beautifully crafted music that takes in various African, Caribbean, Latin, and Eastern influences. Band leader, composer and bassist, Lloyd Swanton, is well known across Australia and internationally for his work with improvising legends The Necks, as well as appearances on over 100 albums, many of them ARIA Award winners, for artists including Vince Jones, Wendy Matthews and Bernie McGann. Joining him, an all-star septet delivers live performances that are consistently uplifting and full of joy. To celebrate their incredible musical legacy created over three decades, The Catholics will perform their favourite pieces as well as premiering new work on their 2022 tour.
$35 Premium/$30 Standard/$15 Student
Click HERE to Purchase Tickets
Mara Kiek - voice and percusssion; Silvia Entcheva - voice (soprano); Jarnie Birmingham - voice (alto); Llew Kiek - bouzouki, bağlama, acoustic and electric guitars; Sandy Evans - saxophones; Paul Cutlan - clarinets and saxophones; Andrew Robson - saxophones; Sam Golding - trumpet, sousaphone; James Greening - pocket trumpet, trombone; Gary Daley - piano accordion; Lloyd Swanton - double bass; Tunji Beier - drums and percussion
A kaleidoscope of musical colours between gypsy brass and jazz big band.
The Mara! Big Band is a 12-piece ensemble that straddles the Eastern European gypsy brass band and jazz big band traditions. It is a kaleidoscope of musical colours including brass, piano accordion, percussion and voice. The new work is called Zashto? meaning “Why?” in Bulgarian. Exploring the experience of migration to Australia through music and featuring poetry by migrants and refugees. Sharing stories of displacement, hope, longing, despair and resignation in their journey towards a new life in Australia. The Mara! Big Band features some of the greatest names in Australian jazz and world music. The Mara! Big Band Project is supported by Create NSW, The Australia Council For the Arts, The Australian Govt. Regional Arts Trust & Flying Arts Alliance.
$40 Premium/$35 Standard/$20 Student
Click HERE to Purchase Tickets
Come celebrate the end of an era with the senior jazz musicians from the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music as they perform with the award-winning Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Combos under the direction of Eric Dunan.
The evening will feature musicians who completed their HSC this year as well as special guest alumni band members. This is a particularly special year as it is also the 20th year anniversary of the Wollongong Conservatorium Jazz Program under the direction of Eric Dunan
$20 General/$15 Concession/$10 Students
Click HERE to Purchase Tickets
Zela Margossian - piano; Stuart Vandegraaff- clarinet & saxophone; Adem Yilmaz- percussion; Jacques Emery- double bass; Alexander Inman-Hislop- drums
“…The result is this exemplary album that is simultaneously heartfelt, authentic and wholly absorbing. This is music that can be returned to again and again, each time revealing a little more of itself with its abundance of inner detail.”- JazzWise magazine.
“Embracing her background and a shift over to jazz following classical music studies, the bandleader has carved out an entrancing and dazzlingly unique kaleidoscopic niche.”- DOWNBEAT magazine.
The Aria nominated Zela Margossian Quintet is an ethno-jazz band based in Sydney, performing original works and arrangements carrying influences from Armenian traditional music. The quintet’s live performances are charged with an energetic drive, traveling through emotions of both resilience and fragility. tThe Group's debut album Transition shows a combination of musical influences, including Armenian folk, classical and jazz music, resulting in rich textures, tumbling polyrhythms and soothing melodies and was widely critically acclaimed.
May 19th - Miles Rooney Quintet
7:30pm - UOW UniBar
Miles Rooney – trumpet; Tessie Overmyer – sax; Matt Harris – piano; Harry Birch – bass; Ryu Kodama - drums
Miles Rooney leads this powerhouse band featuring some of the most exciting young players hitting the Australian improvised music scene today. Originally from Wollongong, Rooney returns to his old stomping grounds to perform two sets of his original music as well as compositions from his saxophonist, Tessie Overmyer. Rooney’s compositional and arranging style has been described as an amalgamation of some of the most influential and historically significant trumpet players in the past 50 years. Since leaving Wollongong to earn his degree at the Sydney Conservatorium, Rooney has played with numerous celebrated Australian musicians and bands including Barney McCall, Steve Magnusson, Jeremy Rose, Will Vinson, and The Strides. Firmly rooted in a modern jazz paradigm, Miles explores a range of densities and textures from entropic to prescribed whilst maintaining strong rhythmic pulse and intensity.
$15 General/$10 Student online or on the door
Click HERE for tickets
December 10th - Wollongong Conservatorium End of Year Senior Jazz Concert
8pm - Main Auditorium, Wollongong Town Hall
Come celebrate the end of another era featuring senior jazz musicians from the award-winning jazz program under the direction of Eric Dunan. The evening will feature performances by four of the outstanding musicians who completed their HSC this year. Saxophonist Alec Watts, trombonist Cailey Soon, guitarist Lachlan Mills, and drummer Jarrah Henderson-Jackson will perform the sets they did for their HSC before taking their places in Jazz Orchestra to perform contemporary swinging big band music. This concert sells out every year, so book your tickets early so you don’t miss out.
Adult $20/Concession $15/Con Student $10
Click HERE to purchase tickets
December 4th - Mike Nock & Friends: The Pipe Organ Sessions
8pm - Main Auditorium, Wollongong Town Hall
Mike Nock - pipe organ; Matt Keegan - saxophone; Tom Avgenicos - trumpet; Hilary Geddes - guitar; Laurence Pike - percussion.
This truly special performance will bring together a dynamic and diverse group of the most creative musicians in Australia today. Legendary pianist Mike Nock will lead some of Australia’s cutting-edge improvising musicians in a premier musical event inspired by and featuring the iconic 1968 Ronald Sharp pipe organ housed in Wollongong Town Hall. Composer/pianist/bandleader Mike Nock is one of the most significant voices in Australian improvised music. His debut recording with the legendary THREE OUT TRIO started a 25 year career in the USA, establishing his credentials as an innovative bandleader. Winning Australia’s most prestigious music prize, the Don Banks Award in 2014, Mike Nock is now recognised as a major figure in Australasian music. The rising stars performing with Mike include guitarist Hilary Geddes (The Buoys, Pharos) and trumpeter Tom Avgenicos (Delay 45, The Avgenicos Brothers) who are rapidly establishing themselves as musicians with something fresh to say. The internationally-celebrated talents of saxophonist Matt Keegan (Jazz Groove Mothership Orchestra, Beautiful Girls – 2011 winner of The MCA Freedman Jazz Fellowship) and drummer-percussionist Laurence Pike (Triosk, Sarah Blasko, PVT) will also feature. This show will defy classification and promises to be a memorable and extraordinary night of music.
$35 premium/$30 standard/$15 student
Click HERE to purchase tickets
The South Coast Big Band Album Launch
The South Coast Big Band features some of the best young jazz musicians on the Australian jazz scene. Led by Des Cannings, the band is celebrating their 10 year anniversary with their debut album featuring music composed by Paddy Kelly, Callum Burns, Wal Gregory, and Des Cannings. The band’s fresh and youthful energy imbues a modern sound in their music that still pays homage to the classic music of Count Basie and Duke Ellington.
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Lead Alto, Clarinet, Flute, & Soprano |
Chris Higgins |
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Alto, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, & Flute |
Daniel Blanch |
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Tenor, Clarinet, Baritone & Sax |
Tye Langford |
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Tenor, Flute, & Clarinet |
Kali Gillen |
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Baritone, Alto, Flute, Bass & Clarinet |
Bec Scolnik |
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Lead Trumpet |
James Power |
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2nd Trumpet |
Heather Prowse |
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3rd Trumpet |
Jack Contencin |
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4th Trumpet |
Stu McNair |
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Band Leader/1st Trombone |
Des Cannings |
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2nd Trombone |
Cailey Soon |
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3rd Trombone |
Nick Gandy |
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Bass Trombone |
Jack Lincoln |
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Guitar |
Callum Burns |
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Piano |
Matt Harris |
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Double Bass |
Oscar Peterson |
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Drums |
Sam Chin |
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Vocal |
Gillian Meers |
$30 Premium/$25 Standard/$15 Student and Standing
Gai Bryant - saxophones; Julian Gough - saxophones; Lee McIver - trumpet; Danny Carmichael - trombone; Ed Goyer - piano; Nick Henderson - bass; Tono Marquez - percussion; Giorgio Rojas - percussion
Caribe is an ambitious and exciting exploration of Cuban-inspired dance and music. It combines the talents of Sydney-based Cuban dancer Adrian Medina with a star-studded lineup of eight musicians from Sydney's Latin and jazz communities performing saxophonist Gai Bryant's dazzling compositions of rumba, son, guajira, cha cha and Cuban jazz. A successful 2018 saw the group play to full houses with Grammy-nominated Cuban pianist Elio Villafranca and work with Uruguayan platinum recording artist Gonzalo Porta. A truly unique show not to be missed!
$20 premium/$15 Standard/ $10 Students and Standing
Click HERE to purchase tickets
Michelle Nicolle – vocals; Geoff Hughes – guitar; Tom Lee – bass; Ronny Farella - drums
The Michelle Nicolle Quartet celebrates their 21st birthday in 2019 and as part of their career retrospective tour, the award-winning group will make a stop in Wollongong to allow you to join in the festivities. Recipients of the 2017 Bell Australian Jazz Award for Vocal Album of the Year, The MNQ are regarded as one of the finest and most prolific jazz ensembles in the Nation. Led by renowned vocalist Michelle Nicolle (1998 National Jazz Award winner) the band features long-term collaborators guitarist Geoff Hughes, Tom Lee on bass and drummer Ronny Farella. Together, they lovingly explore music with a totally contemporary and forward thinking approach that at the same time is steeped in the rich tradition of jazz. The quartet has produced 8 critically acclaimed albums and has performed throughout Australia, Asia and Europe with highlights including sets at the famed North Sea and Tokyo Jazz Festivals.
$20 Premium/$15 Standard/$10 Students and Standing
Click HERE to purchase tickets
Judy Bailey - piano; Craig Scott – bass; Tim Firth – drums
Judy Bailey is on of the most important and influential musicians in the history of Australian jazz. Her long and distinguished career started in the 60’s performing at the legendary El Rocco Jazz Cellar with jazz legends such as Don Burrows. In the 70's, she was well known for her association with television orchestras and ABC Radio Programs. An ARIA award winner and an Order of Australia Medal recipient, Bailey is regarded as the living matriarch of Australian jazz and in 2008, was named one of "Sydney's Top 100 Most Influential People." Alongside fellow Australian jazz luminaries Craig Scott and Tim Firth, this powerhouse trio is not to be missed!
$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door
Click HERE to purchase tickets
Sean Wayland - piano; Alex Hewetson - bass; Alex Hirlian - drums.
“But if you took the names of Brad Mehldau, Larry Goldings or Joey Calderazzo, [Wayland] is a player of the same high caliber” - Mark F. Turner, AllAboutJazz
“Sean Wayland has long been something of a legend among Sydney jazz circles” - Jazzgroove
New York based Australian pianist Sean Wayland is regarded by many as one of the finest jazz musicians this country has produced. Since moving to New York in 1999 Wayland has gone on to release over 30 critically acclaimed albums as well as racking up numerous individual awards for his outstanding playing. During his illustrious career, Wayland has played and recorded alongside iconic names such as Roger Frampton, Donny McCaslin, Wayne Krantz , David Binney, Ingrid Jensen, Dale Barlow, and countless more. For this intimate performance at the Wollongong Con Auditorium - His first for many years - Wayland will be joined by National Jazz Award Winner, Alex Hirlian on drums.
$17G/$12C/$10S online, $20G/$15C/$10S on the door.
Purchase Tickets HERE
The Wollongong Conservatorium of Music will be farewelling a bumper crop of outstanding young jazz musicians at a special performance featuring the Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Eric Dunan on Saturday 15 December in the Music Lounge at Wollongong Town Hall. Six of the band members finished their HSC this year and will be leaving the band. This will be the last chance to hear them perform as members of this elite ensemble. Their performance at the Music Lounge will also feature special encore performances from students HSC performances by pianist Marley Rooney, trumpeter Luke Horsley, and bassist Zac Lopresti. Other senior musicians performing with the Jazz Orchestra are Toby Dunan, India Goss Maher, and Tahlia Macey Rowell
Tickets $15G/$10C/$5S at the door or online
"This is what modern jazz should be all about..." - Dave Liebman
"It’s inspiring to hear such creative and intelligent music being made by the younger generation – it gives me hope for the future!” - Mike Nock
Bungalow’s sound is sometimes introspective, sometimes bold and energized but always is highly emotionally engaging. The melodies are often simple, like folk music from the future. With their feet planted in the cool school of jazz, the Japanese based group maintains an emotional vulnerability; their beating hearts delivered up on spikes for the audience to devour. These four musicians strive to balance this openness and simple clarity, with their virtuosity and group interplay, to create musical landscapes that may indeed express the intangible. Featuring the 2017 National Jazz Award winning saxophonist, Mike Rivett, this unique ensemble is not to be missed.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S at the door
Click HERE for tickets
Inspired by the sound and spirit of the late 50s & early 60s 'Hard Bop' movement, Internationally acclaimed saxophonist / composer Jason Bruer and his dynamic sextet 'Hammerhead' return to the Wollongong Conservatoire of Music. Featuring a new line up of Sydney's finest musicians they offer an original & contemporary re-telling of the great music from that era with a 'take no prisoners' approach. An exciting & diverse repertoire made up of Bruer's compositions, showcase an eclectic array of influences ranging from hard bop, urban jazz, funk, chamber jazz and Latin styles.
The Wollongong Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra will present a special concert at the Spiegeltent on Saturday April 15th from 2-3pm featuring Nick Garbett on Trumpet and new works by Australian composer Jeremy Rose. For Tickets and more information, follow the link below:
Nick Garbett - trumpet; Jeremy Rose - sax; Alex Boneham - bass; Alex Masso - drums
“A distinctive gumbo that was more eminently accessible, grooved harder and created a bigger sound than seemed possible.” - All About Jazz
"If jazz music is about continuously reinventing and staying on your toes, then The Vampires Meet Lionel Loueke' is a phenomenal jazz record. ****" - Downbeat
Sydney based world-roots-jazz quartet The Vampires are touring Australia in March. They will be joined by bassist Alex Boneham for his first Australian performances since 2014 when he moved to Los Angeles to study at the Monk Institute with the likes of Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. Combining risk-taking improvisation, sophisticated compositions and an uncanny sense of dialogue between the sax-trumpet frontline, the band has developed a style of its own that effortlessly combines influences from all corners of the world. Recently, the band collaborated with one of the jazz world’s most talked about guitarists Lionel Loueke for their latest release 'The Vampires Meet Lionel Loueke’, which was nominated for an ARIA Award. The group also became the first instrumental band to be nominated for the prestigious Australian Music Prize in 13 years earlier this year.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music
$17G/$12C/$10 online or $20G/$15C/$10 on the door
Click HERE to purchase tickets.
All shows are free and family friendly.
“This is ecstasy.” - Sydney Morning Herald
The Cope Street Parade are a high energy Australian music ensemble. They blend spicy rhythms with unique song writing that span the genres of folk, pop, gypsy and swing. With tender ballads and rollicking dance numbers they capture the spirit and warmth of early music styles and successfully blur the lines between the contemporary and the classic. Influences include Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, Father John Misty and Leadbelly. Formed in 2009, The Parade has performed at major music festivals and venues across Australia and has also been lucky enough to have collaborated with Lulo Reinhardt, Dan Barnett, Geoff Bull, Bob Henderson and Bob Barnard.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door
Click HERE to purchase tickets
Mike Rivett - Sax, Carl Morgan - Guitar, Barney McAll - Piano, Alex Hirlian - Drums, Tom Botting - Bass.
ARIA award winner, double Bell Award winner, The Age Victoria Award winner and AIR award winner; Barney mcAll is one Australia's most celebrated contemporary jazz musicians. The critically acclaimed pianist and composer will present his ensemble, ASIO (The Australian Symbiotic Improvisers Orbit) for the first time in Wollongong to celebrate the release of the groups' brand new album and McAll's 12th as leader. The ensemble features an all star line-up of Mike Rivett on Tenor Sax (2016 National Jazz Award Winner), Carl Morgan on guitar, Tom Botting on bass and Alex Hirlian on drums. Not to be missed!
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door
Click HERE to purchase tickets
Come on down to the Wollongong con to hear the colours of Human Laser Experiment, now visible to the general public for the very first time! Music from 2pm, tickets $10 at the door.
Featuring the compositions of Paddy Kelly, Human Laser Experiment is a musical exploration into the connection between sound and colour. With a style probably best expressed as "polyrhythmic jazz fusion", the band aims to keep the mind busy, but the feet busier. Rich acoustic harmonies blend into punchy unisons as they create a light show accessible to the ear alone.
MILES ROONEY trumpet
DES CANNINGS trombone
ZAC OLSEN alto sax
PADDY KELLY keys
BEC SCOLNIK bari sax
OSCAR PETERSON bass
CHLOE KIM drums
Peter Knight - trumpet/electronics, Paul Williamson - saxophones, Lucas Michailidis - guitar,
Satsuki Odamura - koto, Howard Cairns - bass, James McLean - drums, Ray Pereira - percussion
Bell award winning and APRA award nominated group "Way Out West" lead by trumpeter Peter Knight offers a unique alluring sound combining Asian, African and jazz influences. This unique sound has earned the group a loyal local following as well as invitations to play some of the largest festivals and venues around the world. Their intriguing new project features Sydney based koto virtuoso Satsuki Odamura and builds on the band's long history of Asian instrumentation and approaches in a contemporary setting that infuses these influences with West-African groove and jazz melodies. Don't miss Way Out West's debut performance at the Wollongong Con.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
$17G/$15C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S at the door
Click HERE to purchase tickets
Phil Slater -trumpet; Matt Keegan - saxophone; Matt McMahon - piano; Brett Hirst - bass; Simon Barker - drums.
Award winning trumpeter and composer, leader (or co-leader) of Sun Songbook, Band of Five Names, Daorum, and Trace Sphere and lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Phil Slater is widely considered one of the country's finest trumpeters. He has performed and recorded with many artists including Archie Roach, Mike Nock, Baecastuff, Katie Noonan, Paul Grabowsky, the Australian Art Orchestra, Sandy Evans, Pnau, DIG, Vince Jones, Missy Higgins, Lou Reed, Martha Wainwright, Jonathan Zwartz, Steve Hunter, and Nigel Kennedy. Winner of the National Jazz Award, the Limelight Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Australian Jazz’, the Bell Award for Australian Jazz Musician of the Year, the Bell Award for Contemporary Jazz Ensemble of the Year (Phil Slater Quartet) and the Music Council of Australia Freedman Fellowship, Slater will bring his prodigious talent and his eponymous quintet featuring an all-star cast of Australian jazz masters to the Conservatorium Auditorium on July 28th to play his highly acclaimed compositions.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door
Click HERE to purchase tickets
June 25th - Jazz Showcase
2-5pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music
An afternoon of jazz featuring the award-winning student combos and ensembles in three venues on site at the Wollongong Conservatorium of music. The termly Jazz Showcase serves to highlight the hard-working students of the Conservatorium in groups both large and small lead by the highly acclaimed staff of the jazz faculty.
2pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music
This is FREE event.
Jens Hoppe - guitar, Nick Southcott - piano, Max Alduca - bass, Dave Goodman - drums
Jens Hoppe has been performing for over 25 years. He’s recently finished his masters degree in Jazz at the Sydney Conservatorium of music and has been on staff teaching jazz guitar at the Wollongong Conservatorium Music for 15 years. Pianist Nick Southcott and drummer Dave Goodman have been performing with Hoppe since his early years as an undergrad. The addition of Max Alduca, who plays with Goodman and Southcott in Trioflight rounds out the group perfectly. The music is textural treat featuring some bop influenced songs with influences of Dave Frisell and Kurt Rosenwinkel.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door
Click HERE to purchase tickets
Michael Griffin - sax, Tom Avgenicos - trumpet, Aaron Blakey - piano, Max Alduca - bass, Tim Geldens - drums
Saxophonist Michael Griffin was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Thelonius Monk Competition in 2013. Since then he has spent time performing in New York where his playing has been lauded by jazz legends Jimmy Heath and Vincent Herring. He was the youngest Australian to ever be featured in the iconic Downbeat Magazine and his debut album "Unexpected Greeting" made the top 10 Australian Jazz Albums of 2015
The Jazz Showcase features all the student jazz groups from the Conservatorium Jazz Program performing in numerous rooms around the campus from 6-8pm.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
(Jazz Showcase 6pm - 8pm)
Click HERE to purchase tickets
Ricki Malet - trumpet, Luke Minness - saxophone, Harry Mitchell - piano, Jeremy Thomson - guitar,
Zac Grafton - bass, Daniel Susnjar - drums/compositions, Iain Robbie - percussion
"Refreshing, danceable and lively" - JazzViews.net
"A brilliant breakout percussion display from Susnjar" - The Australian
Combining infectious grooves, emotive melodies, risk taking improvisation and extreme dynamics, the Daniel Susnjar Afro-Peruvian Jazz Group radiates a joyful energy that infects not just the band members but the entire room. Their debut album "Su Su Nje" won the group two Bell Awards in 2015 and Daniel himself has twice been nominated for the prestigious Freedman Jazz Fellowship in 2015 and 2016. Performing for the very first time in Wollongong at the Conservatorium, this stellar, award-winning ensemble is not to be missed.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door.
Click HERE to purchase Tickets
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO OF THE AFRO-PERUVIAN JAZZ GROUP HERE
Michelle Nicolle - voice, Geoff Hughes - guitar, Ronny Ferella - drums, Tom Lee - bass
The Michelle Nicolle Quartet are critically acclaimed as one of the most prolific and inventive jazz ensembles in the country. For the last 16 years they’ve released eight CDs and touring extensively throughout Australia and internationally – For their return gig to Wollongong the MNQ will be launching the new ABC release “A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing.”
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door
Click HERE to purchase tickets
Novak Manojlovic - Piano, Tully Ryan - drums, Jaques Emery - bass
HEKKA plays through-composed song forms influenced by artists such as Golden Valley is Now and Vijay Iyer Trio while maintaining an ultimate goal for visceral affection and storytelling as heard in the music of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. Their improvisations draw from a learned rhythmic language and sonic environment that draws as much from jazz as from rock, pop and hiphop music. A trio comprising of Novak Manojlovic, Tully Ryan and Jacques Emery, their shared influence and experience nourishes the music resulting in a modernistic performance that has made lasting impressions at festivals and venues throughout Sydney.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door
Click HERE to purchase Tickets.
Jazz Series 2016
Ingrid Jensen - trumpet, Christine Jensen - sax, Mike Nock - piano, Brett Hirst - bass, Ben Waples - drums.
"Ingrid plays trumpet and flugelhorn with all the brilliance and fire of a true virtuoso following the spirit of the muse as she creates...warm, sensitive, exciting and totally honest.” - Marian McPortland
Ingrid has been hailed as one of the most gifted trumpet players of her generation. Born in Vancouver and a graduate of the prestigious Berklee Collage of Music, Jensen moved to New York in the late 1990's where she quickly established herself as one of the most in-demand trumpeters in the international jazz scene. A star soloist of the Maria Schnieder and Darcy James Argue Orchestras one of her closest collaborators is her sister, saxophonist and composer, Christine Jensen. In addition to Christine's own orchestra they co-lead various groups and recently recorded an album with famed guitarist Ben Monder. Supported by the legendary Mike Nock and his trio, this is a rare chance to experience two of the finest horn players in the world at the height of their powers.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
$25G/$20C/$15S
Thursday November 3rd - Shannon Barnett Quartet (GER/AUS)
7pm - Wollongong Con Auditorium
Stefan Karl Schmid - saxophone/clarinet, Shannon Barnett - trombone, David Helm - bass, Fabian Arends - drums.
Shannon Barnett (2007 Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year) is well-known to Australian audiences through her work with The Vampires, The Black Arm Band, The Bamboos, Andrea Keller and Circus Oz. Since 2014, she has been based in Cologne, Germany were she plays regularly in the vibrant contemporary jazz scene. For her performance at the Wollongong Conservatorium, Barnett is bringing her three exciting collaborators - and some of Germany's top sidemen - Stefan Karl Schmid, David Helm and Fabian Arends. Together they bring Barnettʼs compositions to life, which feature space for the development and sharing of ideas, as well revealing a wicked sense of humour.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
$25G/$20C/$15S
Australia's leading jazz orchestra, The Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra will return to Wollongong with dynamic German composer/pianist Florian Ross as part of the orchestra's national tour playing Ross' latest large ensemble works. Since 2003, the JMO has gained a reputation as one of the world's most respected independent jazz orchestra's collaborating with many international stars including Maria Schnieder (USA), Chris Potter (USA) and Bert Joris (BE) to name a few. Combining with the amazing piano playing and composing panache of Ross - himself a highly regarded leader and sideman in his own right, having played with Kenny Wheeler, John Scofield, Bob Brookmeyer and more - expect a night of dynamic, exciting and highly original music.
7pm - Wollongong High School Performing Arts Centre
$25G/$20C/$15S
This concert is proudly supported by the Goethe Institut
Monday October 3rd - James Muller Quartet7pm - Wollongong Con Auditorium
James Muller - guitar, Matt Jodrell - trumpet, Sam Anning - bass, Ben Vanderwal - drums
"James Muller is a mountain of guitar virtuosity...All the things that are the most effective in jazz, rock, blues and country guitar emerge naturally at the right time, in the right place and it can give the listener shivers" - John Clare, SMH
ARIA award winning guitarist James Muller returns to the Wollongong Conservatorium this October. In addition to his usual stellar trio of bassist Sam Anning (2015 National Jazz Award winner and multiple Bell Award winner) and legendary Perth drummer Ben Vanderwal (sideman to John Scofield, Charlie Haden, Chris Potter and George Garzone), Muller will also bring the award winning and exciting young trumpeter Matt Jodrell (runner-up National Jazz Award) for a night of incredible music. This will likely sell-out so be sure to purchase your tickets online.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
$20G/$15C/$10S on the door or $17G/$12C/$10 online
Bonnie Stewart - drums/voice, Peter Farrar - alto saxophone/pipes, Luke Sweeting - piano/toys
The Jazz Showcase is a once a term celebration of all the jazz combos and ensembles at the Conservatorium and a chance for all jazz students to show off their hard-work throughout the term. Bands perform in multiple locations across the Conservatorium grounds starting at 6pm before a feature performance by Bonnie Stewart's 'Crossover' in the Auditorium at 7pm.
Bonnie Stewart’s ethereal voice and percussive textures sail through her evolving compositions, flowing together with the lush and playful tones of pianist Luke Sweeting (2016 Freedman Fellowship finalist) and the distinctive experimental sounds of Peter Farrar, one of australia's most exciting and respected young saxophonists. Crossover forges an amalgam of improvisation, haunting melodies, and polyphonic soundscapes. A rearrangement of Bonnie’s quintet Criss Cross, this trio of individual improvisors creates a unique and cohesive collective sound.
6pm - Wollongong Conservatorium
$10 General, $5 Concession/Parent of Performer, Con students and performers FREE
Saturday July 30th - Bungaribee
3pm Matinee show
Paul Cutlin - reeds, Gary Daley - accordion, piano, Tunji Beier - percussion, Ollie Miller - cello
"Some of the most interesting combinations of composed and improvised music that I've heard in Australia" - Philip Johnston
Bungarribee grew out of Gary Daley's renowned Sanctuary project which features a 9 piece ensemble. Daley wanted to experiment with a more intimate group which could explore his compositions as well as create improvisations on gems from the classical and jazz worlds. Featuring some of Australia's most respected contemporary musicians , the Bungarribee quartet traverses diverse musical terrain.
3pm – Wollongong Conservtorium Auditorium
$20G/$15C/$10S on the door or $17G/$12C/$10S online
Monday July 25th James Morrison
with the Megaband and Wollongong Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra
World-renowned trumpet player and multi-instrumentalist James Morrison returns to Wollongong for a special performance with the award-winning Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra PLUS an opening set featuring 150 of the Illawarra's young musicians who make up the 2016 Megaband.
7pm - University Hall, University of Wollongong
$15G/$10S and children 12 and under are FREE
Young musicians wishing to play in the Megaband and perform with James can register HERE.
21st May - 2nd June: The Autumn Jazz Festival
For the first time ever, the Wollongong Conservatorium Of Music Jazz Series is proud to present the Autumn/Winter Jazz Festival featuring three internationally recognized artist performing over three weeks in the Wollongong Conservatorium auditorium. The Conservatorium will be offering a “Festival Pass” which grants access to all three shows at a discounted rate or one can buy tickets to each show individually. Read on below to see the amazing artists who will be playing as part of the festival.
Festival Passes: $55G/$45C/$30S
May 21st - Kristin Berardi Band
Winner of the Montreux Jazz Festival International Vocal Competition in 2006, winner of the Freedman Fellowship in 2007 and winner of the National Jazz Award in 2012, Kristin Berardi has established herself as Australia’s – and indeed, one of the World’s premiere jazz vocalist. Originally from the North Queensland country town of Koumala, Berardi has since performed at Jazz festival and clubs throughout Europe, Asia and America including supporting jazz legends Al Jarreau and George Benson at the 2007 Montreux Jazz Festival. To kick off the Wollongong Conservatorium Jazz Series Autumn/Winter Jazz Festival, Berardi returns to the Wollongong Conservatorium Of Music to perform her original compositions with her stellar band for a truly world class concert that is not to be missed.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music
Tickets $25G/$20C/$15S
Click HERE to purchase tickets
Kristin Berardi – vocal, Carl Morgan – guitar, Greg Coffin – piano, Brett Hirst – bass, Tim Firth – drums
May 26th - Joe Farnsworth (USA)
New York based drummer, Joe Farnsworth is regarded as one of the top jazz drummers in the world and with over 70 records behind him – playing with such greats as Wynton Marsalis, Cedar Walton, Ron Carter and Benny Golson to name a few – he can be considered one of the most recorded too. For his first-ever performance in Wollongong as part of the Wollongong Conservatorium Jazz Series Autumn/Winter Jazz Festival, Farnsworth will be playing with a fellow modern great, Australia’s own Dale Barlow (sax), an alumni of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Supported by Australian jazz stalwarts, John Harkin and Brendan Clarke, this performance promises to be a night of blistering swing and fiery hard-bop.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music
Tickets $25G/$20C/$15S
Click HERE to purchase tickets
Dale Barlow – saxophone, John Harkin – piano, Brendan Clarke – bass, Joe Farnsworth – drums
2nd June - The Vampires with Lionel Loueke (USA)
The Vampires’ music is a unique blend of soulful jazz, old-school reggae and all-out funk-laden Afrobeat. Combined with risk-taking improvisation, sophisticated compositions and an uncanny sense of dialogue and emotion between the sax/trumpet front line, the band defies these genres and has wrought a style of their own. After releasing four critically acclaimed albums and successfully touring extensively nationally and internationally, The Vampires return to the Wollongong Conservatorium Of Music to headline the Autumn/Winter Jazz Festival with modern jazz guitar great, Lionel Loueke (USA). Originally from the West African country of Benin, Loueke left Africa to pursue jazz studies at the American School of Modern Music in Paris before moving to the U.S. to continue his studies the Berklee College. He has since established himself as one of the world’s most outstanding guitarists having played and recorded with Herbie Hancock, Terrance Blanchard, Jack DeJohnette, Charlie Haden and Joe Lovano.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music
Click HERE to purchase tickets
Jeremy Rose – alto, Nick Garbett – trumpet, Lionel Loueke – guitar, Jonathan Zwarts– bass, Alex Masso – drums
April 12th - Scott Tinkler and Simon Barker
Scott Tinkler - trumpet, Simon Barker - drums
The “Lost Thoughts Duo” brings together two of Australia’s most important and influential musicians in Scott Tinkler and Simon Barker. Both leading exponents of traditional music from India and Korea respectively, the duo will present a special discussion concerning their music, their influences and the rhythmic and melodic structures present in their work before performing an intimate set of their compositions.
7pm - Discussion, 8pm - Concert, Wollongong Conservatorium of Music
$17G, $13C, $10S online o $20, $15C, $10S on the door (admission price includes pre-concert discussion)
April 10th - Jazz Showcase Featuring Hammerhead
Jason Bruer - tenor sax, Andrew Robertson - alto sax, Ray Cassar - trumpet, Greg Coffin - piano, Matt Gruebner - bass, Duncan Archibald - drums
Evoking the sounds from the classic 'blue note' era of the mid sixties, Hammerhead draws inspiration from notable composers of that period including Wayne Shorter, Cedar Walton and Horace Silver. Formed through the common musical aspirations of internationally acclaimed tenor saxophonist and hard swinging drummer, Duncan Archibald, the band plays with a spirit and energy that has won the sextet rave reviews.
As well as the feature performance, all combos and big-bands from the Wollongong Conservatorium jazz program will be performing.
2pm - Showcase, 3pm - Hammerhead, Wollongong Conservatorium of Music
All tickets $10
March 19th - Trioflight
Nick Southcott - piano, Dave Goodman - drums, Max Alduca - bass
Trioflight play original, improvised, organic and free range music. Featuring two Australian jazz powerhouses in Dave Goodman and Nick Southcott plus the young firebrand Max Alduca, they have a uniquely intuitive approach, with an emphasis on beautiful melodies and free flowing spontaneity. For their debut performance at the Wollongong Conservatorium, they will be presenting music from thier latest release, "The Rumour of Forests and Waves" which draws from a wide range of influences and inspirations including the natural Australian landscape and abstract mathematical concepts.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
$17G/$13C/$10S online or $20/$15C/$10S at the door
February 28th - Will Vinson Quartet (UK/USA)
Will Vinson - Sax, James Muller - guitar, Sam Anning - bass, Tim Firth - drums
"An exciting young saxophonist with a lethal approach to writing and soloing." - Time Out London
"Exhilarating, cascading... Outstanding." - Jazz Times.
Originally from London, Alto Saxophonist Will Vinson moved to New York in 1999 and has since gained an international reputation as a band leader and sideman. Having played, recorded and appeared with artists as varied and acclaimed as Kurt Rosewinkel, Sujan Stevens, Chris Potter and Martha Wainwright, Will will bring an all-star band of Australian jazz superstars including James Muller, Sam Anning and Ben Vanderwall to the Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium to play a special and intimate performance.
4pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
$17G/$13C/$10S online or $20/$15C/$10S at the door
February 9th - Briana Cowlisha and Gavin Ahearn Fjords Album Launch
A project born out of the hypnotically picturesque hills of Norway, Briana Cowlishaw and Gavin Ahearn come together to create mesmerising performance. Their latest release 'Fjord' is a duo album recorded in Nesna (Norway) October 2014, which captures a true sense of free and honest expression. Stripped back to piano and voice, the album presents a collection of their own compositions and a number of refreshing arrangements of their most loved pop and jazz standards ('Fool on the Hill', 'Stompin' at the Savoy').
The album launch performance will feature Gavin and Briana performing a duo set of songs from the album, which will then be followed by a set of music with full band, featuring Clint Corbin –drums and Harry Birch - bass.
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, Auditorium
$17G, $13C, $10C online or $20G, $15C, $10 on the door.