Aaron Hopper
“George Harrison’s phrase ‘while my guitar gently weeps’ makes perfect sense….for Hopper is a master guitarist both in interpretation and composition.” Andrew MacLean : music-culture.org.au. One of Australia’s most talented Guitarists and Composers of his generation, Aaron Hopper has performed throughout Japan, Germany, Austria, and Australia, and has received international and National acclaim for his writing and playing, with the great Australian duo, “stringmansassy”.
Andrea Kirwin
Folk, Roots, Reggae, Funk and Soul with an Island Style Roll
Andrea Kirwin is an Australian-Fijian Artist/Producer based on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. With a warm stage presence, retro soulful sound and a knack for storytelling, Andrea has been steadily building a national following since the release of her first album, 'From the Ground Up' in 2013. She writes and arranges her songs by weaving melodies and lyrics together with purpose and passion much like the way her Fijian grandmother used to weave pandanus mats in the village on the island of Matuku, Lau. Andrea's sound can be described as an earthy blend of folk, roots, reggae, blues, funk and soul and she waxes and wanes between her more gentler folk/soul tunes as a solo artist, and her upbeat groove based songs that she performs with her talented band.
Andrew Veivers
Composer / Director / Spanish Guitarist
One of Australia’s finest Spanish Guitarists, Andrew Veivers draws on a wide range of musical influences to evoke the sensual and mesmerising sounds of the Spanish guitar in all of its guises. At venues ranging from Blenheim Palace (UK) to The Dillington Classical Guitar Festival (UK) to chamber music series' in Amsterdam to concerts at many of Australia's leading festivals, Andrew has appeared as a soloist as well as with his various groups (Flamenco Fire, The Saruzu Quartet, Jaleos Flamenco) to great critical acclaim.
Angie & OJ
The mysterious calm of the ocean at dusk, kissing someone for the first time, New York, the mist that creeps in on a mountain side, the bush after rain: This duo casts an enchantment that's hard to define. Influenced by musical greats like Astrud Gilberto, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Chet Baker, Erykah Badu, and Antonio Carlos Jobim, their music is elegant, sophisticated, and as innocent and welcoming as Spring. Swingin Jazz, Brazilian Melodies & rhythms, soulful R&B, and a handful of well crafted originals. They do it all well. Featuring pedigree musicians Angela Iimura (Guitar and Vocals), and Oj Newcomb (Double Bass & Guitar), this duo is a match made in heaven. Anyone who loves music and loves a heavenly experience will be kicking themselves if they miss Angie & OJ.
Anthony Garcia
From the experimental music scene in New York to early music with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra guitarist and composer Anthony Garcia is a unique presence in the Australian guitar scene. With a passion for improvisation and a masterful classical technique Garcia fuses together a wide range of styles from the ancient to the contemporary from Latin folk to exploratory jazz, pulsating world rhythms and experimental soundscapes. Performing throughout Australia, Mexico, Japan and the United States both as a soloist and in collaboration with virtuoso artists from across many musical traditions Anthony's engaging presence transports his audiences through an ever evolving musical landscape.
Asleep at the Reel
Asleep at the Reel evoke the sound of the lively Irish pub, of flying fiddles and rich voices in harmony around an open fire. Their songs are stories – some of them hundreds of years old – wrapped up in music. Their rollicking jigs and reels will keep your feet tapping. The Irish call it the craic. It’s a word that means music and fun and, typically, quite a lot of the demon drink all bound up together. This band of fine musicians taps into a tradition that dates back centuries and runs through Christy Moore, The Pogues, and Van Morrison among many others. Yet Asleep at the Reel are not Irish – nor do they pretend to be. They are Australian yet, like so many Australians, Celtic music is in their DNA. Asleep at the Reel are; Mark Cryle - guitar & vocals, Rose Broe - accordion & vocals, Mick Nolan - bass & vocals, Hugh Curtis - fiddle & mandolin, Suzanne Hibbs - drums & percussion.
Barleyshakes (The)
Brewed in Ireland and distilled in Australia the Barleyshakes are a superb Celtic band who present both traditional Irish, original and world music in a modern format. Using fiddles, banjo, mandolin, bass, bodhran, drums, guitar and vocals the Barleyshakes new sound is hard hitting, lively and full of wild Irish dance energy.
Belladiva
Australia’s premier pop-opera quartet Belladiva perform intricate arrangements of best-loved classics. This unique combination of classical voice and playful musicianship makes the familiar new again with gorgeous modern interpretations from the Flower Duet to The Beatles. Performing live to more than 85,000 people nationwide, the Queensland Conservatorium of Music-trained Belladiva has appeared at many prestigious events, including Channel 9’s Carols in the City, The Queensland Pops Orchestra & Brisbane Festival.
Brisbane Jazz Orchestra
Brisbane Jazz Orchestra (BJO) is a professional 19 piece Brisbane-based big band featuring award-winning vocalist, Ingrid James and Chilean percussionist, Pablo Matus. This big band was founded a decade ago by David Humphreys (who is now based in Sydney). He was succeeded as musical director by Rob Anders (trombonist). BJO has a diverse repertoire which pays hommage to the Great American Songbook, Modern Jazz Songbooks as well as South American music (Brasilian, Cuban, etc.,) The arrangements and some original materials are sourced from within the group, as well as, other notable international and national arrangers.
Caxton Street Jazz Band
The Caxton Street Jazz Band is recognised both locally and internationally as one of Australia's leading jazz bands. The band presents hot, swinging jazz in a manner that elicits enthusiastic responses from listening and/or dancing audiences. The CSJB is a 6-piece band that not only appeals to jazz aficionados, but also to the general public at large. The inspiration for the band is the classic hot jazz of the early 20th century, but many other influences are represented in its output. These include big band swing, mainstream jazz, folk, country, rhythm and blues, and popular tunes of the 30s, 40s and 50s. This variety of repertoire has in part been responsible for the band's unprecedented popularity in recent years, with demand for its performances coming from jazz festivals, jazz clubs, and community and private functions throughout Queensland and northern and central New South Wales.