Performers | Jumpers and Jazz in July

2019 Performers

We are excited to announce that the following festival favourites and new acts will be performing this year! Click the images for performer bios, dates and venues.

Click here for a playing schedule for this weekend Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th July

Dezzie D and the Stingrayz

Dezzie D and the Stingrayz are undoubtedly one of Brisbane's and the Gold Coast’s leading bands in the Rhythm & Blues scene. This exciting 5 and 7 piece line up is a magnificent musical spectacle of the finest sights and sounds and have quickly become regular favourites and draw cards at festivals and events. Renowned for their upbeat style, tight rhythms and grooves, dynamic vocal and powerful horn section, the band is guaranteed to hit the stage hard and are impressing audiences with their own authentic sound and raw emotion with every performance.

Their onstage presence, energy, passion and power-house performances will have you leaping out of your skin and transporting you back to the world of the 40s and 50s Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Jump, Swing and those Americana Juke Joint Halls.

Friday 19 July - Jumpin' Jazz Laneway Party, Warwick Town Hall

Saturday 20 July - Saturday Downtown Jazz Stage, Palmerin Street

Sunday 21 July
Grand Automobile Display, Palmerin Street

Robyn Brown Quintet

Fond remembrances and sweet surprises. With a smooth voice and elegant approach to music, Robyn Brown is one of the finest singer/songwriters on the Queensland Jazz scene. Her soulful explorations of the songs of the early jazz and blues singers, unique interpretations of modern classics and heartfelt, passionate originals have been delighting audiences with her warmth and grace. Inspired by the early jazz and blues greats and with a love of the passion in gospel and blues music, she has been in demand performing her heartfelt renditions of jazz and blues standards across Australia.

Her songs draw the listener in to a journey with her as she sings of purpose, passion and sorrow. Working with some of the finest musicians in QLD, their combined love of jazz and improvisation is infectious. With songs from her albums receiving radio airplay, she has been in demand for local and national Jazz festivals, events and Jazz Clubs.

Saturday 27 July - Stroll and Swing, Palmerin Street and Leslie Park

Saturday 27 July - Twilight Jazz in the Park

Glen Knox & the Black Suits

Glen Knox is a vocalist and guitarist and currently coordinates and teaches the Contemporary Music program at TAFE Queensland East Coast on the Sunshine Coast. Glen has worked in many musical genres over the years including rock, country, jazz and big band. He has backed artists including Glen Shorrock and Kate Ceberano and feels fortunate to have studied and played with Australia’s premier jazz musicians including Rick Farbach, Don Andrews, Barry Morton, George Golia and Jim Kelly.
With an emphasis on swing, Latin, ballads and soul, Glen has been enthralling audiences in restaurants, clubs and cafes across Toowoomba, Wide Bay, Bundaberg and the Sunshine Coast since the 1980s
Glen’s influences include Joe Pass, Pat Martino and George Benson and he weaves bluesy bop guitar lines over rhythm sections. As a vocalist, Glen has been likened to Michael Franks, Chet Backer and Vince Jones and has a repertoire which includes many standards from the Great American Songbook plus Brazilian and Latin classics from composers such as Carlos Jobim.
Glen is ably accompanied by Nick Williams on bass: Harry Schnider on drums Graham Mullers on keys.

Jazz the Blues Away with Warwick Zonta Club, Saturday 20 July 6pm - 11pm, Regency Park Auditorium, 223 Dragon St, Warwick

Merinda Dias-Jayasinha Quartet

Vocalist and composer Merinda Dias-Jayasinha is happiest when she is singing. Whether it be jazz, improvised, chamber, or new music, she delights in storytelling and pursuing musical excellence through her art and collaborations. Combining the individual playing styles of the group, the Merinda Dias-Jayasinha Quartet/Trio/Duo create a unique sound to perform her original contemporary jazz compositions and her arrangements of swing classics.

In any musical setting, Dias-Jayasinha draws on the wide range of musical influences and artists from the realms of jazz, pop, rock, and classical music. Her compositions explore streams of consciousness, and the states between reality and dreams with heartfelt lyrics and soulful melodies. Dias-Jayasinha is cementing her place in Australia’s new generation of jazz musicians and composers playing festivals, and to consistently packed venues.

Saturday 27 July - Stroll and Swing, Palmerin Street and Leslie Park

Bobbie Murphy Trio

Bobbie Murphy is one of Brisbane’s most exciting young trumpet talents. With her trio, Bobbie performs a huge selection of repertoire that ranges from standard swing numbers to modern jazz tunes.

Playing lead/solo trumpet with the UQ Big Band, Bobbie has toured the USA from Los Angeles, San Diego and New York, where she worked with Vincent Gardner and Bob Mintzer, performed with Gordon Goodwin at CalArts (Los Angeles) and Randy Brecker (Shapeshifter Lab, New York). She was involved in performances at Carnegie Hall (NY), Disneyland (LA) and Dizzy’s Jazz Club (San Diego), and performed at the New York Spring Music Festival in 2016.

Saturday 20th July - Jazz @ the Gallery, Warwick Art Gallery, 9.30am - 12.00pm

River City Aces

The River City Aces was formed through public interest, and the need to fill a historical gap between the swing music from the 1940’s, and the formation of Rock’n Roll in the mid 1950’s. Each member of this Brisbane based band is a high profile jazz and blues performer, or as we like to say, an ‘ace’ in their musical field. Thus, the name River City Aces was born. This ‘All Star’ line-up presents male lead vocal and harmony, with 3 piece horn section, playing jazz and blues music from 1939 to 1955, from greats of the era such as Louis Jordon, Wynonie Harris, Louis Prima, Ike Turner, Clarence Samuels, Tiny Bradshaw, Bull ‘Moose’ Jackson, T Bone Walker, just to name a few. River City Aces specialise in bringing an event to life, with outstanding dance music, smooth dinner music, historical narration, and high quality visual stage presence, that is attractive to all age groups. The band burst onto the South East Queensland scene, playing festivals, and to consistently packed venues.

Sunday 21 July - Grand Automobile Display, Palmerin Street

Sleeping Dogs

A new chapter has opened in the career of Warwick band Sleeping Dogs. Formed in 2015 out of the ashes of Five Years Out Of Fashion, the Sleeping Dogs sound has changed direction subtly over the past few years. Somehow they’ve gone from pub rock to a set list of the absolute classics focusing on the blues, soul and funky favourites everyone knows and loves.

Essentially they’re playing the songs they love and hoping it works for the crowds. And it usually does. As of June 2019, this local six-piece has been rehearsing hard, ready to hit the venues around southeast Qld. Coming up are two shows at Warwick’s Jumpers and Jazz In July Festival, followed by a trip to the Ink Attack Tattoo Convention on the Sunshine Coast in early September.

Perfect for any jumping party, Sleeping Dogs have the music to keep a crowd dancing and best of all, having a great time.

Sunday, July 21 - Grand Automobile Display, Leslie Park Youth Stage and the program mentions three stages.

Saturday, July 27 – Hawker Road Function Centre, from 6.30pm

Barefoot Brass

Barefoot Brass is a contemporary stage band that was formed in 2014. Based in South East Queensland, this 12-piece stage band is adaptable and performs a diverse range of music from an atmospheric power ballad by Coldplay to the funky grooves of Stevie Wonder. Barefoot Brass expand their repertoire by playing their own arrangements with unique twists.

Barefoot Brass has performed at the Battle of the Bands in Springfield, the South Burnett Wine and Food Festival in Kingaroy, the Goodna Jacaranda Festival, the Sherwood Community Festival and the Brisbane Big Band Festival.

Sunday 21 July - Grand Automobile Display, Palmerin Street

Natalie de Jager

Natalie de Jager has been wowing audiences across South East Queensland with her velvet vocals and jazz expertise for several years. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Esperanza Spalding, Joni Mitchell and Alicia Keys, Natalie has produced her own fusion of jazz, pop, soul and RnB.
Singer and songwriter, Natalie de Jager, has a passion for music and a zest for life. She performs classic and modern jazz music that audiences know well; and she also believes almost any pop song can be given the 'jazz treatment'. Her original music combine her love of popular music and jazz improvisation. Natalie draws inspiration from artists such as Esperanza Spalding, Joni Mitchell and Alicia Keys to produce her own fusion of jazz, pop, soul and rnb. Natalie has performed at venues and festivals across Australia and beyond including Metropolitan Club (NYC), Brisbane Festival, Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane Jazz Club, Anywhere Theatre Festival and many more. Her music can be heard on community radio across Australia, and she has performed live on several radio stations, including ABC Radio.

Saturday 20 July, 7pm - 11pm, Rupert's Bar & Grill

Saturday 27 July - Stroll and Swing, Palmerin Street and Leslie Park

Moonlight Duo

Moonlight Duo are an established pair of musicians who
have collectively performed alongside James Morrison,
Ian Moss, Rhonda Burchmore, Wendy Matthews, Venetta
Fields, Julie Anthony and Carl Risely to name a few. Their
experience has allowed them to perform both nationally
(Sydney, Melbourne, throughout Queensland) and
internationally (Japan, USA, Malaysia, East Timor). They
have performed at hundreds of weddings and corporate
events throughout South East Queensland and have an
extensive range of jazz, easy listening and classic pop
music. Whether you want ambient dinner music, some up
tempo classics such as Stevie Wonder, or a mixture of
both, Moonlight Duo are guaranteed to deliver a
professional and polished performance to complement
your specific function.
Kelsey Giarola (vocals) and Paul Henderson (guitar)
graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium of
Music. The duo can turn into a trio (bass guitar addition) or
quartet (bass guitar + drum kit addition) sized group to
cater for your event. From ballads, to blues, to swinging
tunes, to old time classics, Moonlight Duo will be sure to
illuminate your night!

Saturday 27 July, 7pm - 11pm, Rupert's Bar & Grill

Girl Friday

Girl Friday, a popular part of the Sunny Coast jazz and blues scene since 2016, has been gathering an army of loyal fans who come out to listen to their smooth standards and cool originals. Michele G, who fronts the quartet with her dulcet tones and deep lyrics, has been likened to Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin with her soulful delivery, honed over years of performing in Australia and Europe. It’s the actress in her that extracts the meaning from every tune, experience gained during her time treading the boards on the UK musical theatre scene.

Her partner in crime is established bassist/guitarist, Logan McIvor, an accomplished musician and songwriter who performs everything from Brubeck to Bacharach and beyond. Making up the remainder of the quartet are Calvin Hunter, with his sensual sax solos adding spice to every tune, and jazz drummer, Peter Coombs, with his selection of sticks, brushes and percussion enhancing every beat.

Saturday 20 July - Saturday Downtown Jazz Stage, Palmerin Street

Saturday 20 July - Condamine Sports Club, 4.30pm - 7.30pm

Blue Violets

Janelle Makings and Michelle Fajdiga make up “Blue Violets”, present feel good and upbeat Rockabilly vibes that bring lots of smiles and toe-tapping, along with a sultry jazz lounge mood for evening events. They are known to turn up the Rock ‘n Roll when dancing is required.

Thursday 25 July, The Bowls that Connects Jumpers & Jazz Soup Night, The Potters Place, 5.30pm onwards

Friday 26 July, Groovy Grannies Breakfast, Warwick Gardens Galore, 7am - 8.30am

Wil Sargisson Trio

The Wil Sargisson Trio encapsulates a modern approach on traditional, 'straight-ahead', swinging jazz. Formed after almost a year-long tenure hosting a late night jam session at a Brisbane jazz club, the trio formed a strong musical bond, whilst gaining an expansive repertoire of tunes namely from the Great American Songbook. The trio was formed when JMI (Jazz Music Institute) graduates, Mitch Bellert (drums) and Elliott Parker (bass) met Gold Coast based Wil Sargisson, and struck off on a strong friendship. This friendship has carried through in their music, performing with high intensity, enthusiasm, and respect for the Jazz tradition. The trio regularly performs around Brisbane, also having played sold out shows tributing to the late Oscar Peterson Trio; performing Peterson’s classic repertoire. However, not just being a one-trick pony, the Wil Sargisson Trio puts original arrangements on both jazz standards, and more modern jazz originals; an advantage of performing today and having a wealth of music surrounding them. The trio also has plans to record an album and eventually an East-coast tour.

Saturday 27 July - Stroll and Swing, Palmerin Street and Leslie Park

Kalamunda Youth Swing Band

Formed in 1989 in the Hills area of Perth, the Kalamunda Youth Swing Band has developed an excellent reputation in Perth and beyond for its commitment to nurture and develop professional musical skills in young musicians. The band offers exposure to and provides the opportunity to perform Big Band music of all styles and from all eras from an early age. Now in its 30th year, the Kalamunda Youth Swing Band continues to delight audiences with it’s winning combination of youth, talent, dedication and professionalism.

The Kalamunda Youth Swing Band has performed with such celebrities as Lionel Hampton (USA), Ellis Marsalis (USA), Don Burrows, Vince Jones, Tommy Emmanuel and Marcia Hines.
The Band has also been a much sought-after support act for George Benson, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Shirley Bassey, Roberta Flack, K. D. Lang, Sting and Michael Crawford (to name a few) at the annual Leeuwin Estate Concerts in Margaret River, WA.
Other performance highlights include the Wintersun Festival at Port Macquarie in 2011 and Coffs Harbour in 2012.

Jon Fernandes is the passionate and enthusiastic Musical Director of the Kalamunda Youth Swing Band. With a background in Jazz Arranging (West Australian Academy of Performing Arts), Jon is an accomplished musician, composer, arranger, producer, lecturer and educator, performing regularly on piano, bass and as a vocalist with many professional bands in Perth.

Friday 19 July - Jumpin' Jazz Laneway Party, Warwick Town Hall

The WellSwung Daddies

The WellSwung Daddies play a mixture of arrangements from the Swing Band Big Band era with 11 members including a 5 piece horn section, male and female vocals, double bass, guitar, piano, and drums. They are a big band in the style of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal Crown Revue, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Louis Jordan, Buddy Rich, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles. They bring their unique style to their original songs and big band classics made famous by the Great Gatsby era and the prohibition years. The arrangements are transcribed and arranged from original recordings and selected for their modern interpretation of Swing, Jive, Rock n Roll, Lindy Hop and Jazz.
The WellSwung daddies are based in the Byron Shire NSW and feature, Cherryn Lomas or Laura Nobel and Mick Buckley on Vocals, Derek Siddon and Mal Bateman trumpets, Steve Sax Baritone, Andy Hills Tenor Sax and Clarinet, Joshua Booyens trombone, Steve McLeod guitar, Matt Bone double bass, Wally Kafoa drums, Phil Shepherd piano, plus sound engineer & PA system all working together to recreate that that big band sound that is the WellSwung Daddies.

Saturday 27 July - Warwick RSL from 7pm

Sunday 28 July - Picnic in the Park, Leslie Park

JAZZIFY

“If you're feeling blue, all you’ve got to do is Jazzify!” Jazzify’s songbird TERI WELLES is known across the Southern Downs for her warm, personal song stylings and versatile voice. Regular band members Graham Muller on keys and Nev Jess on drums are joined by other top musicians from the region for each gig. With diverse experience, the combo puts their own special spin on a range of jazzy, bluesy, classic, popular, swingin’ (even rockin’) “croons and tunes”, drawn from music greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Natalie Cole, the Beatles, Van Morrison, Paul Simon, Elvis and many more, plus a few originals. Whatever the song may be, Jazzify always provides good music and good times.

Sunday 21 July - Heritage Estate Winery, Midday - 4.00pm

Thursday 25 July - Jazz & Jive, Auditorium, Churches of Christ Care, 6.30pm - 9.30pm

Kel Timmons & Clint Allen Quintet

The Kel Timmons / Clint Allen Quintet brings together two of Brisbane’s most prolific drivers of musical life. Kel Timmons is well known as the sassy front woman of Soul act ‘Bankrupt Billionaires’ and is an exceptional jazz singer with a trademark voice reminiscent of the Jazz and Soul greats of the 50s and 60s. She is currently working with USA producer Nottz (Kendrick Lamar, Busta Rhymes) on an original soul release. Renowned trumpeter Clint Allen is a prominent recording and performing artist who was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to travel to Europe to work with Marcus Stockhausen, Ruud Breuls and Scott Wendholt. He also recorded (in Osnabruck, Germany) a solo modern jazz album featuring the Zapp4 String Quartet and jazz pianist Martin Fondse.

He is the musical director of the UQ Big Band (which recently toured to the USA and worked with Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer and Gordon Goodwin) and can be regularly seen around Brisbane performing. Backed by a stellar rhythm section featuring Brett Fowler on piano, Andrew Shaw on bass and Dave Cotgreave on drums, the Kel Timmons / Clint Allen Quintet breathes new life into jazz standards of the 50s and 60s, mixing old and new forms and exploring the boundaries of modern jazz.

Saturday 20 July - Saturday Downtown Jazz Stage, Palmerin Street

Revelation Big Band

Revelation Big Band is a Brisbane based group of passionate jazz musicians associated with The Salvation Army, who seek a connection with listeners to present the Christian message through jazz and popular music. Holding true to The Salvation Army’s heritage, faith and mission, RBB firmly believes that the devil shouldn’t have all the good music! While RBB has an extensive repertoire covering jazz standards through to the popular music of today, the gospel message is presented by bringing sacred hymns to life in new and exciting ways.

Formed in 2014 for a “one off” event at Warwick Jumpers & Jazz in July, RBB recently celebrated 5 years of ministry opportunities in April 2019 and continues to bring joy to listeners at various events and locations. The band has travelled extensively over the last 5 years from as far north as Cairns to as far south as Lismore - with many more kilometres yet to be covered. Under the musical direction of world renowned SA composer/arranger Sam Creamer, RBB continues to achieve their one word mission statement “Enjoy” by leaving listeners and band members alike with a smile after each performance.

Saturday 27 July - Twilight Jazz in the Park, Leslie Park

Saturday 27 July - Sing and Swing for the Salvos, Warwick Uniting Church, 7pm - 9pm

Sunday 28 July - Picnic in the Park, Leslie Park

Rob McWilliams Quintet

The Rob McWilliams' Quintet features a mixture of classic standards and some of Rob’s original compositions spanning the last few decades. Rob was born and raised in Melbourne and played trumpet and piano professionally on the scene there in the late ’70’s through to the early ’90’s including stints with fusion band McDonald’s Farm, mainstream jazz group Wilbur Wilde’s "Blowout" and Martin Jackson's hard bop unit "Jump Monk." From 1991 to 1996 he undertook postgraduate study in music in the USA and completed his Masters & Doctoral degrees. From 1996 to 2014, Dr. McWilliams was a professor of music at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (USA) performing in many jazz settings, directing ensembles and teaching courses in conducting, jazz, and music education.

As a performing artist Dr. McWilliams has performed with the following jazz artists: Mickey Tucker, Bobby Shew, Pete Christlieb, Nat Adderley, Vincent Herring, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Eddie Daniels, Ed Shaughnessy, Andy Martin, Dale Barlow, Wilbur Wilde, and Paul Grabowsky. Dr. McWilliams relocated to Brisbane in 2014 where he now freelances as a musician, educator, and conductor as well as working for Yamaha Music Australia as an Education Outreach Clinician. The collaborating musicians in his group play around the Brisbane and national jazz scene and teach in tertiary jazz programs such as the Jazz Music Institute and the Queensland Conservatorium.

Saturday 27 July - Stroll and Swing, Palmerin Street and Leslie Park

Freud Squad

The Freud Squad have been entertaining audiences at parties, weddings, festivals and fund raisers for over 20 years with their popular collection of jazz vocal standards and Latin favourites. The name came from the pair of psychiatrists who first put the group together for a hospital party. Today there are 3 doctors involved, including one with a PhD in jazz. The focus is on everybody enjoying swinging grooves and some modern arrangements of classic favourites. As a seven-piece ensemble, including some multi-instrumentalists, the Freud Squad have enjoyed playing at the Warwick JJJ Festival in public and private functions since the festival began in 2004.

Saturday 20 July - Creole Inspired Banquet, Belle Vue Cafe, 6pm - 10pm

Friday 26 July - Jazzin' up Silks, Horse & Jockey Hotel, 7pm - Midnight

Saturday 27 July - Creole Inspired Banquet, Belle Vue Cafe, 6pm - 11pm

Kathleen Cuskelly

Kathleen Cuskelly has been singing ever since she can remember. She inherited her musical talents from her mother, who entered her in many local eisteddfods resulting in some success. She and three of her siblings, following in her older siblings’ footsteps, performed in Channel 9’s New Faces making it to the finals. She started singing regularly at the Langham Hotel at the request of Teddy Tanna who organised the entertainment for that and other local venues. She married and left Warwick for Central Qld where she sang and played keyboard in several bands, playing at various central western Queensland venues, viz Barcaldine, Blackall, Longreach, Ilfracombe, Clermont, Emerald, Capella, Tieri, Middlemount, Moranbah, Dysart, Blackwater and Rolleston and was part of supporting acts for John Farnham (Emerald Music Spectacular) & Little River Band (Flood Aid) in the 1990’s. She sang backing vocals with Sandy Harvey for the Brown Dirt Cowboys at the Emerald Music Spectacular in 1992 and again for Greg Austen in 1993.
She has sung at Jumpers & Jazz for, approximately, the past six years increasing her jazz repertoire and her love of popular jazz music.
She has been involved in playing and singing music in her local church & community for the many years and joined the carollers at “Carols in the Park” for approx. 5 years from 2002 where she met Graham White & Colin Alley. Both of these musicians played on her debut CD, “No Jumpers Just Jazz”, in 2015.

Friday 19 July - art@st.marks opening, 5.00pm - 7.00pm

Wednesday 24 July - Jazz at Just Because, 6.30pm - 11.00pm

Lucky Lips

Fresh Hot Swing Blues n' Jazz! “Lucky Lips are made for kissin’” so the song goes...but this high energy 5 piece is made to get audiences up on their feet - dancing singing & having the time of their lives! Inspired by the greats such as: Ruth Brown, Ella Fitzgerald & Natalie Cole, Donna Hourigan's powerful & versatile vocals lifts her audience up on a wave of atmosphere and emotion! The band also features the silver fox of Jazz n' Blues - Rob Gow on saxophone. Slick inventive arrangements backed by dynamic guitar work & a cool cat rhythm section, Lucky Lips entertains with a huge variety of tunes from the golden age of Blues & Jazz right through to the current day. Who else can go from The Andrew Sisters to Kenny Dorham to Amy Winehouse all in one performance! Big on the Brisbane scene for the last 2 years the band is due to release a recording of original material in 2019. The reaction to Lucky lips Show at The Blues on Broadbeach Festival 2018 was outstanding: “...absolutely fabulous!” “thanks for a real treat” “...outstanding performance...” “one of the highlights of the blues for me this year.” Sleek & soulful one minute, jumpin’ & joyful the next. Whether you dance cheek to cheek or East Coast Swing Lucky Lips can do it all!

This band is not to be missed!

Sunday 21 July - Grand Automobile Display, Palmerin Street

Kate Street Mob

Kate Street Big Band is a fun group that makes the good time roll. They pump out a high-energy rhythm to take you somewhere you’d rather be. Hailed as one of Brisbane’s most entertaining bands, Kate Street Big Band let loose with their full repertoire, from old time swing and smooth ballads, to rock classics and funky Latin, and maybe a little more. Get a front-row spot and you’ll soon be movin’ and groovin’ – song after song. This band sure knows how to entertain, so get ready to roll along with that upbeat, swing-along, feel-good jive. Formed 20 years ago, Kate Street Big Band have evolved with the times. Originally an old-time swing band, KSBB have expanded their repertoire from those early swing classics to take in modern ballads, sophisticated bluesy jazz, and some groovy funky Latin. The band will tailor its set for any occasion, from smooth background music at a gala ball, to upbeat swing-along jive at a street festival.

Sunday 21 July - Grand Automobile Display, Palmerin Street