Great Tropical
Jazz Party 

13 - 15 Oct. 2006

Magnetic Island, North Queensland

2006 Line-up  

Ten bands and more than 40 leading overseas, interstate and local musicians present three nights and two days of exciting Jazz from Mainstream to Contemporary in a program of concerts and jam sessions in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere and beautiful tropical resort setting.*

TOM LELLIS (U.S.A.)
We are honoured to have New York's Tom Lellis as our special guest at our 10^th party.

An accomplished singer / composer / lyricist and multi-instrumentalist, Tom was born in Cleveland, Ohio and began singing professionally at the age of 15.  By age 21, he was working on bills with Ray Charles, Gregory Hines and a 15 piece big band.

After 9 years as a stand up singer, Tom began intensive piano studies which led to singing, playing and opening for Dizzie Gillespie, Bill Evans, Jimmy Smith and other jazz greats.

Tom has made numerous recordings including the recently released “Avenue of the Americas” and has been highly acclaimed by writers and critics, including Down Beat's International Critic's Poll.

See also:

          Tom’s web site: http://tomlellis.com/

JOHN MACKEY QUINTET (Canberra & Sydney )
This wonderful group of master musicians will feature a mix of modern jazz originals and standards. The listener will experience melodic, hard-driving, swinging jazz at the top level.

John Mackey has toured Europe, Scandinavia and the U.S., performing with numerous Jazz Legends including Nat Adderley, Johnny Griffin and Richie Cole. He is Head of Jazz Studies at the Australian National University.

Also from the faculty at A.N.U. is internationally acclaimed trumpeter Miroslav Bukovsky; this exciting jazz ensemble includes the brilliant guitarist Dave Smith and the extremely talented Hauptmann siblings, Zoe on bass and James on drums.

See also:
          John Mackey's ANU School of Music page:   http://www.anu.edu.au/music/study/staff/jmackey.php
          Miroslav Bukovsky's ANU School of Music page:    http://www.anu.edu.au/music/study/staff/mbukovsky.php
          Web site for Miroslav's band Wunderlust:  http://www.wanderlust.com.au/index.html

MARK4 (Sydney)
Band leader Mark Harris is an unusual hybrid of driving rhythmical bassist and haunting melodic lyricist. His compositions, while reflecting his classical training in form and flow are nothing short of groovy.

His band brings together the amazing skills and diversity of guitarist, Aaron Flower, one of Australia's foremost jazz pianists, Greg Coffin and the very popular drummer Evan Mannell.

See also:
          Mark 4’s web site: http://www.markharris.com.au/
          Review of Mark4’s recent recording, Entrée: http://www.jazzgroove.com/recordings/mark4entree/index.html

TED VINING TRIO (Melbourne)
One of the great bands in Australian jazz history, the Ted Vining Trio celebrates their 37^th birthday in 2006.

Their straight ahead swing feel is an urgent, yet unforced style that is still uncommon among Australian bands.

The three play with one mind, settling into a perfectly synchronized groove, continually throwing ideas at each other, without anyone ever being caught off guard.

The Trio is: Ted Vining, drums; Bob Sedergreen, keyboard; Barry Buckley, bass.

See also:
          Move Records’ Biography of the band: http://www.move.com.au/artist.cfm/903
          Bob Sedergreen’s site: http://www.bobsedergreen.com/

HOFFMAN / NEWCOMB FAMOUS QUINTET (Brisbane)
U.S. born John Hoffman toured and recorded with the Big Bands of Glen Miller, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Buddy deFranco and Harry James before settling in Australia in 1977. John has performed with Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ray Charles, to name a few. He currently teaches trumpet and directs the large ensembles in the Jazz Dept. at Qld Conservatorium, Brisbane.

Other faculty members in the group are pianist Steve Newcomb and drummerPaul Hudson. Bassist Georgia Weber graduated from Qld.Con. last year and vocalist Megan Washington, a James Morrison Scholarship winner, is in her third year of jazz studies. We welcome Megan back after a stunning performance at the 2005 Great Tropical Jazz Party.
See also:
          Queensland Con’s Web site: http://www.griffith.edu.au/school/qcgu/study/areas/jazz.html
          Steve Newcomb’s Jazz Qld site: http://www.jazzqueensland.com/artists/stevenewcomb/
          Megan Washinton’s Web Sites: http://www.meganwashington.com/
                                                     http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56624691

ELANA STONE QUARTET (Sydney)
Vocalist/pianist/songwriter, Elana is currently making waves on the Australian jazz scene, having won Best Jazz Artist at the Musicoz Awards 2004 and the National Jazz Awards at Wangaratta Jazz Festival 2005.

Beyond her ability, it is her sense of humour and her spirit that make Elana a magnetic performer and an ideal band leader.

The Quartet's line up is Elana in the piano seat as well as on vocals; Aaron Flower, guitar; Zoe Hauptman, bass; and Evan Mannell on drums.

See also:
          Elana’s web site: http://elanastone.com/
          Creative Vibes biography: http://www.cvibes.com/elanastone.php
          JazzGroove's Interview with Elena:  http://www.jazzgroove.com/feature/elanastone.html
          Review of Elana’s recent recording In The Garden of Wild Things: http://www.jazzgroove.com/recordings/jgr027/index.html

EXPOSED BONE (Sydney)
Jeremy Borthwick is one of the finest trombonists in the country. His band, performing his original material, plays an extensive repertoire of high energy music from many genres to create their fun and unique sound.

Bassist, Zoe Hauptman will be familiar to those who attended last years GTJP where her superb bass playing was also heard with the ever popular band Wanderlust. They are joined by guitarist, Aaron Flower; James Hauptman, a highly regarded drummer on the Sydney scene and special guest David Theak on tenor sax.

See also:
          Review of Exposed Bone’s recent recording Smokin' da Bone: http://www.jazzgroove.com/recordings/smokindabone/index.html

KRISTIN BERARDI (Sydney)

Recently returned from Europe, this young singer, composer and jazz teacher is the winner of the prestigious 2006 Shure Montreux Jazz Voice Competition in Switzerland.

Remembered for her brilliant performance at the 1999 Great Tropical Jazz Party at the start of her career, Kristin is a late addition to the 2006 program and will give a special concert performance Saturday night.

See also:
          Kristin’s web site: http://www.kristinberardi.com/
          Jazz Queensland article on Kristin’s Montreux win: http://www.jazzqueensland.com/ArticleView.php?article_id=48

LIQUID (Townsville)
This exciting new local band led by saxophonist and singer Rebecca Mc Hutchison, play an eclectic mix including original compositions, featuring Matt Hill on keyboard; Simon Self, guitar; and Ian Brunskill, drums.

GRAMMAR SAXOPHONE QUARTET (Townsville)
Townsville Grammar School's talented young Saxophone Quartet are; Alex Hammerton, 1st alto; Cameron Miller, 2nd alto; Grace Panozzo, tenor; and Gareth Lloyd, baritone.

*Artists and program are subject to change