Jazz and Blues in Perth 

Composed for the renowned jazz clarinettist Benny Goodman, the work showcases Latin-American rhythms and a virtuosic cadenza. This modern American beauty complements Tchaikovsky’s romantic String Sextet ‘Souvenir de Florence’, written as a tribute to the composer’s favourite European city, plus other string chamber gems. Music Director: Paul Wright Performed by: String Camerata with Philip Everall

Brassed Off returns for 2021 with an exciting foray into New Orleans funk. This concert showcases contemporary pop songs with a funky brass flavour that is guaranteed to get you moving. Featuring the full gamut of brass instruments, from sousaphone to pocket trumpet, this will be an epic adventure – don’t miss out! Music Director: Jeremy Greig Performed by: Jazz Brass students, staff and community

Brazilian music first entered popular culture with Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luis Bonfa’s songs in the 1960’s film Black Orpheus. Suddenly, bossa nova was the new groove and Brazilian music soon blended with jazz and popular styles to take on a life of its own. Modern composers such as Djavan, Milton Nascimento, Egberto Gismonte, Se´rgio Mendes and Ivan Lins became stars in Brazil but largely remained unknown to the rest of the world. This concert is a celebration of these musicians and the incredible array of rhythms, songs and sounds from this part of the world. Music Director: Chris Tarr Performed by: Brazilian Ensemble

French composers have always featured prominently in Sassafras’s repertoire, but for this special show the band will present an entire programme of French music. Featuring songs from artists/composers such as Edith Piaf, Yves Montand and Charles Trenet you can expect to hear classics such as “La Vie En Rose”, “A Bicyclette” and “Que Reste t’il De Nos Amours” alongside some lesser known gems penned by the likes of Serge Gainsbourg, Jaques Brel, Django Reinhardt and more. Covering ballads, waltz’s and of course a healthy dose of gypsy swing, this is a night not to be missed for all music lovers and francophiles alike. Formed in mid 2015, Sassafras has now established a reputation as one of Perth’s premier gypsy jazz groups. Featuring vocalist Jessie Gordon, Lachlan Gear and Aaron Deacon (guitars), Adrian Galante (clarinet) and Pete Jeavons (double bass), the band has sold out numerous shows at the Ellington Jazz Club, The Duke of George, Lyric’s Underground, Kidogo Arthouse, The Stirling Arms, The Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre and more.

Featuring Jessie Gordon (voice), Adrian Galante (clarinet), Lachlan Gear & Aaron Deacon (guitars) and Pete Jeavons (bass), Sassafras combines toe-tapping swing, breakneck gypsy classics, wistful French ballads and re-worked jazz standards in a vibrant and engaging mix of acoustic music, all performed with the dazzling virtuosity and passion that is intrinsic to the gypsy jazz tradition. "Acoustic gypsy jazz band Sassafras presented a world-class musical performance to the capacity audience that filled (the) Ellington Jazz Club..." Steve Baitz, Seesaw Mag, Jan 26th 2019

Featuring Jessie Gordon (voice), Aaron Deacon & Lachlan Gear (acoustic guitars), Adrian Galante (clarinet) and Pete Jeavons (bass) Sassafras combines toe-tapping swing, breakneck gypsy classics, wistful french ballads and re-worked jazz standards in a vibrant and engaging mix of acoustic music, all performed with the dazzling virtuosity and passion that is intrinsic to the gypsy jazz tradition. Featuring music from composers such as Django Reinhardt, Edith Piaf, Cole Porter, Serge Gainsbourg and Jacques Brel (to name only a few), Sassafras has recently completed their debut album set for official release later in the year. The band has a strong connection with Perth's eastern suburbs as all-but-one of the groups regular members grew up in the Perth hills. Having already performed sold out shows in Darlington ('Live at the Hall' and Juniper Studio), Guildford (The Stirling Arms) and Mundaring (The Mundaring Weir Hotel) Sassafras are very happy to return to the Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre after their debut performance there in October 2020. Doors open 1.30pm, Concert begins at 2pm.

Django Reinhardt, the founding father of Gypsy Jazz, is revered in the guitar world for his superlative skills on the acoustic guitar, but less so for his work on the electric. As the 1930’s became the 40’s and bebop was born, Django heard and was inspired by the great American jazz artists such as Charlie Christian, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. This in turn prompted him to put on hiatus his infamous string quintet in favour of a more traditional American line-up comprising drums, piano, double bass, clarinet and of course, Django himself on electric guitar. Now he could soar as high and as loud as he wanted, a feat previously impossible on his trusted Selmer Maccaferri acoustic! Co-led by bassist/MD Pete Jeavons and guitarist Lachlan Gear, The Electric Django Quintet performs repertoire from Django’s bebop period alongside compositions by others who were heavily influenced and inspired by Django such as Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Bireli Lagrene and more. Lachlan Gear - Guitar Adrian Galante - Clarinet Harry Mitchell - Piano Daniel Susnjar - Drums Pete Jeavons - Bass/MD

After a successful debut performance in April, the Pete Jeavons Nonet returns to The Ellington Jazz Club for their second outing. The group’s repertoire draws on the music of American jazz luminaries such as Charles Mingus, Cannonball Adderley, Art Blakey and Oliver Nelson – all arranged by Pete Jeavons specifically for this nine piece line-up. You can also expect to hear some compositions by Australian jazz musicians/composers including one or two penned by Jeavons himself. Featuring a stellar line-up of musicians, this promises to be an evening of high energy, top quality jazz. Ricki Malet – Trumpet Matt Smith – Trumpet Jeremy Greig – Trombone Daniel Hart – Alto Saxophone Jamie Oehlers – Tenor Saxophone Marek Sprogowski – Baritone Saxophone Tom O’Halloran – Piano Daniel Susnjar – Drums Pete Jeavons – Double Bass / MD

Veruca Moon delivers smooth, groovy, indie tracks with a hint of jazzy/folky enthusiasm. With Hannah Smillie and Vanessa Millar, these two multi-instrumentalists have the gammer of an old soul’s built-in rhythm - with a love for simple, feel-good sound.

Perth International Cabaret Festival (PICF) is Western Australia's first dedicated cabaret festival and honours the great tradition of storytelling, and more particularly, storytelling intertwined with music, discussion and interactions. Cabaret is a melting pot of evolving forms of performance that can’t be pinned down to any one discipline. A good cabaret show isn’t just titillating, it’s transgressive; upending everyday ideas about art and bodies, politics and sex, it’s provocative as well as pleasing. Cabaret loves you but sometimes it likes to see you squirm! As the inaugural cabaret festival, His Majesty’s Theatre will provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable program of events. And with a line-up that includes artists as Meow Meow, Lior, Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse, Michael Griffiths, Steven Oliver, Perth Cabaret Collective, Carlotta, Fiona Choi and John O'Hara just to name a few, audiences are assured of a week of delectable cabaret experiences. From a Noongar singing workshop to several meet the artist talks, there is also a number of free events available to attend. Cabaret is intimate, immediate and breaks all the rules. And it’s more important than ever before!

Artemis Orchestra 1st Set 8pm Artemis Orchestra 2nd Set 9pm Featured Composers: Gemma Farrell, Alice Humphries, Maddie Ivy, Amelia Jutilane, Alana Macpherson, Kate Pass, Candice Susnjar The Artemis Orchestra was founded by Gemma Farrell in 2017, with the hope of promoting people of marginalised genders in jazz as musicians, soloists and composers. Less than a quarter of all professional jazz musicians worldwide are female, and even less are non-binary and transgender and this is something which we hope will change for the better in future. The goal is that having an ensemble like this, which is predominately made up of professional female musicians, and also includes non-binary musicians, will inspire young people of maginalised genders in Perth to consider taking on a career in jazz.

Come and enjoy the famous Gypsy Tapas House experience! Pop in for a wine, a bite and somer live music with The Dirty Stop Outs! They will be playing their original music, inspired by Funk, Soul, Jazz, Motown and Retro movies. The Dirty Stop Outs will be paired perfectly with your food, drinks and Summer vibes. Book a table now so you don`t miss out

ARC members Kram (Spiderbait), Darren Middleton (Powderfinger), Mark Wilson (JET), and Davey Lane (You AM I, The Wrights, and more) are self-confessed Beatles tragics. As they did with Abbey Road Live, the band will once again walk the tightrope to faithfully and lovingly bring another brilliant Beatles creation to life on stage – Let It Be from start to finish – followed by a second set playing a selection of favourites spanning the breadth of The Beatles’ catalogue.

The WAAPA Big band is an 18-piece group that embraces the best music that big band has to offer. Music Director: Jeremy Greig Performed by: WAAPA Big Band Bookings open: 20th Jul - Friends 27th Jul - Public

Local favourites Adam Hall and the Young Guns (Velvet Playboys, Afro Cuban All Stars) are live on stage with at least one special guest. They will be playing the music of Havana including classics from the Afro Cuban All Stars, Buena Vista Social Club and Songs from Cole Espanyol (Nat King Coles Cuban Album), fusing fiery Latin rhythms with classic Cuban repertoire. Be sure to wear your dancing shoes!