Yes a full FREE weekend of Big Band music is just around the corner with the Big Band Bash at the Commercial Hotel from 9-11 October. Wall to wall big band music the whole weekend with special guest artists the drummer and educationalist and band leader John Morrison (yes, James’s brother!) and partner singer Jacki Cooper.
Featured on the weekend will be the sounds of the Great Western Plains Big Band, the Tin Roof Big Band, The Chalkies, Jam Packed, and Dubbo Schools Big Band.
The program will open on Fri 9 Oct and continue through Sat 10 Oct and Sun 11 Oct finishing on Sunday afternoon.
Poster an be found > here Program can be found > here
Poster and program with bios here
The Big Band Bash is supported by the Commercial Hotel [Meal bookings 02 6882 4488]
Program can be found > here
| DAY ONE: FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER | ||
| 12-3.15PM | School Big Band workshop with John Morrison |
St Johns College |
| 4-7PM | Break | |
| 7-9PM | The Chalkies | CH stage |
| DAY TWO: SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER | ||
| 10- 12NOON | Great Western Plains Big Band workshop with John Morrison |
CH Function Room |
| 12-1PM | Break | |
| 1PM | Great Western Plains Big Band | CH stage |
| 2PM | TBA | |
| 3PM | Combined Schools Big Band | CH stage |
| 4PM | Tin Roof Big Band | CH stage |
| 5PM | Jam Packed | CH stage |
| 7-9PM | Tin Roof Big Band | CH stage |
| 9-11PM | Great Western Plains Big Band | CH stage |
| DAY THREE: SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER | ||
| 11AM-1PM | Tin Roof Big Band workshop with John Morrison |
CH Function Room |
| 1PM | Jam Packed | CH stage |
| 2PM | Tin Roof Big Band | CH stage |
| 3PM | Combined Schools Big Band. | CH stage |
| 4PM | TBA | |
| 5.00-7.00PM | Great Western Plains Big Band | CH stage |
Update 1 Oct 15. Program subject to change For updates see dubbojazz.com.au
JOHN MORRISON
Drummer, Big Band Leader, Educator
John Morrison has delighted audiences for more than 25 years with his humor and dedication to sounds that swing. Equally at home in a small group or big band setting, his musical facility runs the entire spectrum from traditional jazz, swing, Bebop, R&B, Soul and commercial jazz rock.
The eldest of the Morrison family, John has spent much of his musical life playing and recording with his younger brother James Morrison. At age 8, John began playing cornet in the school brass band and by the age of 10 had built his first drum set from pots and pans. In these early few years he played many different instruments and styles but jazz drumming was to be his calling.
After living in New York in the late eighties, John and James returned home to form Australia’s premier jazz big band “The Morrison Bros Big Bad Band”. John widened his exposure and experience also playing with a variety of other well-known artists. As the driving force behind Swing City, John, who was voted Australia’s best big band drummer, loves the big band sound and started his own big band festival, Big Band Blast, held in Port Macquarie in May.
JACKI COOPER
Jazz and Big Band Singer, Educator
Jacki Cooper has been a regular feature on the Australian jazz scene since 1990 and after travelling much of the world, now resides in Sydney, Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Voice from Adelaide University and currently teaches jazz voice for the Bachelor of Music program at Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Mackay.
While studying for her music degree, Jacki embarked on an even more important form of study, performing with renowned jazz composer, Dave Dallwitz. In 2005, Jacki was invited to perform at Sax n Art Jazz Club in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam with world-class saxophonist, Tran Manh Tuan. In 2007, Jacki and John Morrison toured China, performing at JZ Jazz Club and the House of Jazz and Blues in Shanghai. The tour highlight was performance at the Oriental Arts Centre with the Shanghai Symphony Big Band. In March 2010, Jacki was awarded Best Jazz Vocal at the Musicoz Awards.
Jacki is a regular at jazz festivals around the country, including Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Darling Harbour International Jazz Festival, Manly Jazz Festival and Thredbo Jazz Festival. She performs with John Morrison with their quartet/quintet and with John’s big band, “Swing City”.
Great Western Plains Big Band Macquarie Region Featured band will be the GWPBB led for the weekend by the redoubtable John Morrison and featuring Jacki Cooper on vocals. The 30 plus GWPBB with Musical Director Paul Dunn, has performed with jazz legends such as James Morrison and Emma Pask at DRTCC. The band is drawn from the greater Dubbo region, from Wellington to Narromine and Parkes to Coonamble and beyond. Alto Sax: Katherine Wilson**, Christine Cherry, Emma Kearsley; Tenor Sax: Barry Murray**, Eugene Dunn, Steve Knight, Rosemary Duncan, Bari Sax, Eric Smith; Trumpets: Jeff Neill**, Alan Sloane, Daniel Caton, Arney Megyer, Jackson Gibbs, Andrew Boog, Trombones, Niell Ryan**, Sandy Abbey, Tom Fiander, Pat Mayers, Rhythm Section: Paul Dunn Piano, Matt Davis, Guitar, Alyn Smith Guitar, Maggie Dunn, Bass, Chris Cusack Drums, Vocalist, Alyn Smith, Eugene Dunn, Conductor.., Paul Dunn, ** Denotes section leader
The Chalkies Dubbo – Local band that loves to play. From Trad to current jazz. Members: Tim Billiards – Trumpet/saxophone, Niell Ryan – Trombone, Andrew Brown – Drums, Paul Dunn – Piano, Matt Davis – Guitar, Greg Lange – Bass.
Tin Roof Big Band Wellington –Wellingtons own Big Band offshoot from the Town Band led by Eric Smith. Sophie Anderson – Alto Sax, Rebecca Brine – Alto Sax, Caroline Morley – Tenor Sax, Elizabeth Morley – Tenor Sax, Eric Smith – Baritone Sax, Bandmaster, George Morley – Trombone, Erin Melhuish – Trombone, Doug Morley – Trumpet, Wade Smith – Trumpet , Natasha Deasey – Trumpet , John Taylor – Trumpet, Zac Goninan – Trumpet, Greg Lange – Bass, Brendan Hyde – Drums.
Jam Packed Dubbo – Dubbo College South Campus presents… Jam Packed! This fun and youthful jazz ensemble is made up of students aged 14 to 16 from the South Campus. Under the direction of music teacher Miss Emma Kersley, the students rehearse twice a week as part of their extra curricular school based activities. Repertoire is chosen to repel the enthusiasm and passion of the young musicians and is sure to leave the audience JAM PACKED full of energy! Rhythm Robin Hall – Tuba, Ethan Hughes – Bass Guitar, Brendan Gawthorne – Rhythm Guitar, Hamish Reed – Rhythm Guitar, Victoria Prince – Keys/Vibes, Archie Purcell – Keys/Vibes, Alex Lindsay – Keys/Vibe, Sarah Wijenaike – Drums, Horns Sarah Boon – Alto Sax, Tara Willliamson – Tenor Sax, Jackson Gibb – Trumpet, Lucille Wright – Trumpet, Josie Stanger-Jones, Chloe Allen – Euphonium, Vocalists Janelle Bobier, Samantha Bourke, Phoebe Cusack.
Dubbo Schools Big Bands Participants are drawn from the school and college system in Dubbo. For the Big Band Bash the schools band will be led by Guest artist John Morrison.
Note: Bands are subject to change. Please come back for updates and further information as we compile more information on the bands.
Supported by Dubbo Jazz Club, Dubbo PhotoNews, What’s On in Dubbo, Colour Copy Shop, Orana Mutual, Macquarie Conservatorium,
More info: info@dubbojazz.com.au | www.facebook.com/dubbojazzclub
