Tag: Jazz

Pharos is a ten-member powerhouse big band formed in 2016. Featuring a six-piece horn section- this unique and electrifying collective merge the best of the big band with the flexibility- creativity and genre-bending exploration expected in any modern ensemble. What's more- every single member of the band is a talented female jazz musician. In the group's short lifespan- Pharos has worked with an incredible list of local and international artists- premiering and performing the work of composers- both Australian and international. In a world premiere- Pharos will perform a new work commissioned for the festival before performing exclusive repertoire composed and arranged by SIMA's 2020 Artist in Residence- Dr Sandy Evans. Come feel the energy that only a big band can inspire!Covid-safe measuresDo not attend if you are feeling unwell. Shows will be seated and limited to 60 per sitting- with patrons seated to allow for social distancing. Please adhere to social distancing at all times and follow direction from venue staff. The venue will be taking a number of precautionary measures to ensure patron safety- including: Hand sanitiser dispensers- signage and social distancing markers throughout the venue- and regular sanitising of the venue and facilities.

Closing the festival- this special event features the talents of SIMA's 2020 Artist in Resident Dr Sandy Evans OAM alongside long-time collaborators Satsuki Odamura and Steve Elphick. The inventiveness- musicality- sensitivity and responsiveness of these three musicians will open doors to magical musical places.A trail-blazer for women in contemporary music- internationally renowned composer and saxophonist Sandy has a passion for improvisation and new music. Her work and research in intercultural music- specifically Indian Carnatic music- has led to international recognition.Satsuki Odamura is a master of the koto and shamisen- having pioneered awareness of these ancient Japanese instruments in her performances throughout Australia. She has since collaborated with a wide variety of artists across a range of genres- from jazz- to Western classical- to modern- and Aboriginal music.ARIA winning bassist Steve Elphick has provided the backbone for artists like Roger Frampton and The Engine Room- and jazz musicians like Sandy Evans- Mark Simmonds- James Greening- Carl Dewhurst- and many more- having grown into one of Australia's most in-demand bass players across a range of genres.Sandy Evans (saxophone) Steve Elphick (bass) Satsuki Odamura (koto) Covid-safe measuresVenue staff will check in with you before and post-performance to make sure you are well and provide resources and information on what you should do should you fall ill. Once checked in- please sanitize hands and ensure the contact details of everyone in your group are registered with venue staff. 505 Theatre no longer accept cash payments. The venue will be taking a number of precautionary measures to ensure patron safety- including: Hand sanitiser dispensers- signage and social distancing markers throughout the venue- and regular sanitising of the venue and facilities.

Saxophonist and composer- Gai Bryant has earnt a reputation as a Queen of Latin Jazz. She is fascinated with all the rhythms that make us move- particularly those blending Cuban- Peruvian and Afro-Caribbean influences. Gai joins musicians- dancers and communities across Sydney- through her projects with passionate arrangements that integrate traditional dance and song with a modern jazz aesthetic. Irresistible performances by her Afro-Peruvian sextet ALLY will open celebrations- before her big band- Caribe- will tear down the house in a visual and aural display. Vivid and frenetic- it will be impossible to walk away from this event without a smile on your face.Gai Bryant (saxophone) Eamon Dilworth (trumpet) Jonathan Cohen (piano) Stan Valacos (bass) Steve Marin (percussion) Georgio Rojas (percussion) Dai Moret (spoken word) Melody Riviera (vocals) CaribeAdrian Medira (dancer) Gai Bryant (saxophones) Julian Gough (saxophones) Lee McIver (trumpet) Danny Carmichael (trombone) Ed Goyer (piano) Nick Henderson (bass) Tono Marquez (percussion) Giorgio Rojas (percussion) Steven Marin (percussion)Covid-safe measuresIn accordance with COVID restrictions- AIM's John Painter Hall sits 140 people. All patrons are socially distanced inside the venue and must use sanitizer provided and enter individual contact details on entry. Hand sanitizer is provided and visible throughout the venue. People with any symptoms of colds or repeating dry coughs are not admitted and if such symptoms become visible after entry- would be asked to leave.

The 2020 edition of Polish Film Festival Sydney presents a range of contemporary and award-winning works from renowned and up and coming Polish filmmakers.The Festival opens with one of the most expensive Polish film productions of all time. THE LEGIONS by Dariusz Gajewski is an epic history drama that follows a love triangle set against the backdrop of the heroic struggle of Polish Legions to win independence from Tsarist Russia.Closing the Festival is the Australian premiere of CHARLATAN- a fascinating biographical drama by three time Oscar nominee Agnieszka Holland (Mr.Jones- Spoor- Europa Europa) of an exceptional Czech healer who cured thousands with plant-based remedies.Another highlight of the programme is the all-star VALLEY OF THE GODS from visionary director Lech Majewski- starring John Malkovich- Josh Harnett (Black Hawk Down)- Berenice Marlohe (Skyfall)- Keir Dullea (2001: A Space Odyssey) and John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings trilogy). A cross between fantasy and sci-fi takes the viewers on a surreal journey between three interweaving stories to illustrate the clash between traditions of ancient civilizations and the modern high-tech world of the super rich.Brimming with jazz ICARUS. THE LEGEND OF MIETEK KOSZ by Maciej Pieprzyca (Life Feels Good) is a moving drama inspired by the true story of blind piano prodigy Mietek Kosz- starring the brilliant Dawid Ogrodnik with music by one of the most acclaimed Polish jazz pianists and music composers- Leszek Mozdzer.Also screening this year are two feature debuts from female directors. THE TASTE OF PHO by Japan born and Poland based Mariko Bobrik is a warm story of a Vietnamese cook living in Warsaw and struggling to fit into the European culture- which his ten year old daughter has already embraced as her own. THE IRON BRIDGE by Monika Jordan-Mlodzianowska is a dramatic story about a love triangle set in a Silesian mining community.For our younger audience we have THE DAY OF CHOCOLATE- a delightful adaptation of the award-winning book by Anna Onichimowska under the same title- about the adventures of Monika and Dawid. Fans of thrillers will enjoy SERVANTS OF WAR by Mariusz Gawrys.Full Programme of the 2020 Polish Film Festival SydneyTHE LEGIONS (Legiony) - Sunday 25 October 6:00pmTHE TASTE OF PHO (Smak pho) - Wednesday 28 October 7.00pmTHE IRON BRIDGE (Żelazny Most) - Friday 30 October 7:00pmICARUS. THE LEGEND OF MIETEK KOSZ (Ikar. Legenda Mietka Kosza) - Saturday 31 October 7:00pmTHE DAY OF CHOCOLATE (Dzien Czekolady) - Sunday 1 November 3:00pmSERVANTS OF WAR (Slugi wojny) - Friday 6 November 7.00pmVALLEY OF THE GODS (Dolina Bogow) - Saturday 7 November 7:00pmCHARLATAN (Szarlatan) - Sunday 8 November 6.00pmThe 2020 PFF Sydney is organised with a Covid Safety Plan in place and appropriate measures are taken to ensure the Festival is as safe as possible. Occupancy limits and social distancing will apply in every auditorium and throughout the foyer areas of the venue to follow requirements introduced by NSW government.

Blues- Soul- Funk- RnRoll- with a taste of Reggae and Jazz.Playing Saxophone professionally for over 30 years David has forged a career performing with Australia's great Independant & Soul - Blues Artists.Honing his craft with the legendary Jacky Orszacsky- David has collaborated & performed with Paul Mac- Ray Beadle- Skunkhour- Renee Geyer- Abby Dobson- Justine Clark- Tina Harrod- Jessica Mauboy- Todd Mckenny and Georgie Parker.David's 'Weird Assembly' has headlined the Darling Harbour Jazz & Blues Festival & featured in 5 Major music festivals in Australia. David Weir - vocals -saxCarmel Mesiti - VocalsScott Leishman  bass- BvsDavid Longo - Guitar-BVsIvan Jordan - DrumsDon't miss this opportunity for an up-close & personal performance!Covid-safe guidelinesIn these COVID19 times capacity for this show is limited to an exclusive 30 dinner & show tickets ONLY upon entry signing in is required masks preferred sanitizer available

Award-winning artist Emma Pask has established herself as one of Australia's favourite jazz vocalists. Showcasing expert versatility- Emma can swing through jazz standards- ride Latin rhythms or pour her heart into tender ballads. Discovered at just 16- Emma's long and decorated career has seen her perform at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London- the Sydney Opera House and support 70's disco and funk legend George Benson. Emma is always surrounded by the cream of Australian jazz- and these intimate festival performances are no different.  Emma Pask (vocals) Kevin Hunt (piano) Phil Stack (double bass) Tim Firth (drums)VENUE COVID SAFE PLAN:Do not attend if you are feeling unwell. Shows will be seated and limited to 60 per sitting- with patrons seated to allow for social distancing. Please adhere to social distancing at all times and follow direction from venue staff. The venue will be taking a number of precautionary measures to ensure patron safety- including: Hand sanitiser dispensers- signage and social distancing markers throughout the venue- and regular sanitising of the venue and facilities.

Sandy Evans- one of Australia's most well-known jazz saxophonists and composers and SIMA's 2020 Artist in Resident- directs this musical interpretation of Gandhi's writings on non-violence. This broadcast features an archival recording made at the premiere performance of Ahimsa at the Sound Lounge in 2019. An entrancing evening- featuring some of Australia's leading jazz and Indian musicians- Sandy is joined by Sarangan Sriranganathan- Bobby Singh- and her all-star band.Join us online to see these extraordinary artists from across the globe collaborate to honour Gandhi's beautiful attitude to non-violent political protest with a forward-thinking musical piece.Sandy Evans (soprano & tenor saxophone) Sarangan Sriranganathan (sitar-vocals) Bobby Singh (tabla) Brett Hirst (bass) Alon Ilsar (airsticks - drums).

Hilary Geddes QuartetWinner of the Jann Rutherford Memorial Award in 2019- Hilary Geddes is a talented guitarist spending half of her musical life making contemporary jazz and improvised music- and the other in the popular indie band 'The Buoys'. As a jazz guitarist- Hilary has become an in-demand collaborator with the likes of Barney McAll and Mike Nock- while The Buoys are regularly featured on Triple J and on the Australian festival circuit. A truly modern- exceptional talent who will lead contemporary music in the direction she wants to see it go.Hilary Geddes (guitar) Matt Harris (piano) Max Alduca (bass) Alexander Inman-Hislop (drums)Jodie Michael's Organ SituationWinner of the Jann Rutherford Memorial Award in 2013- drummer Jodie Michael gained experience playing in jazz ensembles at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music- before touring the USA with the Wollongong Con Jazz Orchestra. She has immersed herself in the US jazz scene- playing with world-class drummers like Michael Carvin- Eric Harland and Kenny Washington- and went on to study in the Global Jazz Master's program at Berklee College of Music. Jodie promises to bring her fluid sense of rhythm for this double bill not to be missed.  Jodie Michael (drums)- Nish Manjunath (tenor saxophone) Steve Barry (organ)Covid-safe measuresAll patrons are socially distanced inside the venue and must use sanitizer provided and enter individual contact details on entry. Face masks are available for those who want them. Hand sanitizer is provided and visible throughout the venue. People with any symptoms of colds or repeating dry coughs are not admitted and if such symptoms become visible after entry- would be asked to leave. Table service only except for those who are seated at the bar. There is no standing in groups allowed.

Dubbed 'Sydney's first lady of blues'- Alice Terry has the kind of voice you can't ignore.Powerful and emotive- gritty and intense- Alice Terry's vocals evoke classic singers like Janis Joplin - the kind of singers who leave it all out on the stage.Alice began singing the blues at seventeen- quickly being booked for gigs like Narooma Blues- Thredbo Blues and Moruya Jazz Festivals. She released her debut single 'Emotion' and debut LP 'The Fear Of' in 2018- both of which immediately charted in the top five of the iTunes blues charts.In the wake of great notices for her debut- Terry has supported acts like Allen Stone- Beth Hart- Matt Corby- The Waifs and Thirsty Merc- and continues to tour with Matt Corby as part of his band.Each of the acts above contain elements of a mixture of styles Terry calls her own - folk- country and blues stewed together to create an individual feel. American blues singer and Grammy nominee Beth Hart described Alice Terry as 'the real deal'- and we agree. Don't miss the opportunity to see this scalding hot vocal talent live with her all-star big band.Alice Terry (vocals) Phil Stack (bass) Harry Sutherland (piano) Mike Raper (trombone) James Loughnan (saxophone) Simon Ferenci (trumpet) Carlos Adura (drums)VENUE COVID SAFE PLAN:All patrons are socially distanced inside the venue and must use sanitizer provided and enter individual contact details on entry. Face masks are available for those who want them. Hand sanitizer is provided and visible throughout the venue.People with any symptoms of colds or repeating dry coughs are not admitted and if such symptoms become visible after entry- would be asked to leave. Table service only except for those who are seated at the bar. There is no standing in groups allowed.