The JOHN MONTESANTE DECTET is a quality 10 piece Jazz band, that boasts six horns, a matchless rhythm section, with additional guest Vocalists – performing dedicated Jazz arrangements by Montesante with their genesis from Blue Note to Bebop.. Along with the lineup of exceptional Australian Jazz musicians, featured singers on March 27th shall be ALINTA CHIDZEY & CRAIG SCHNEIDER.
This Dectet evolved from Montesante’s stylish, horn-led Quintet, (JMQ - formed 1990) which performs regularly at venues and events, and is lauded for its quality, longevity and versatility. One of Australia's enduring band-leaders, Montesante expanded the band for special concerts to perform Horn arrangements, for which he is renowned. As well as the Jazz Ensembles, he previously led 20 piece Cafe Society Orchestra for 27 years until 2009, concurrently with his legendary Soul outfit, Grand WaZoo, now in its 38th year of ongoing performance....
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The JOHN MONTESANTE DECTET is a quality 10 piece Jazz band, that boasts six horns, a matchless rhythm section, with additional guest Vocalists – performing dedicated Jazz arrangements by Montesante with their genesis from Blue Note to Bebop.. Along with the lineup of exceptional Australian Jazz musicians, featured singers on March 27th shall be ALINTA CHIDZEY & CRAIG SCHNEIDER.
This Dectet evolved from Montesante’s stylish, horn-led Quintet, (JMQ - formed 1990) which performs regularly at venues and events, and is lauded for its quality, longevity and versatility. One of Australia's enduring band-leaders, Montesante expanded the band for special concerts to perform Horn arrangements, for which he is renowned. As well as the Jazz Ensembles, he previously led 20 piece Cafe Society Orchestra for 27 years until 2009, concurrently with his legendary Soul outfit, Grand WaZoo, now in its 38th year of ongoing performance.
One of this evening's featured singers is ALINTA CHIDZEY, one of the most versatile and in-demand artists across performance genres, - who also leads her own dynamic Jazz ensembles and projects, including Alinta and the Jazz Emperors and Hook Turn Orchestra. She is well known for her sassy portrayal of Anita in West Side Story, for which she received nominations for a Helpmann Award, Green Room Award, Sydney Theatre Award, two GLUGS Award nominations and won the Australian Dance Award for Most Outstanding Performance. As well as performing in Hugh Jackman’s – Broadway to Oz tour she has become a fixture on The Production Company stage, playing Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, Magnolia in Show Boat, Kathy Selden in Singin’ In the Rain, Svetlana in Chess, Niki in Curtains and, most recently, Sibella Hallward in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder. For Chess, Alinta was honoured with a Green Room Award for Best Female Artist in a Supporting Role. She performs as a featured guest Jazz singer with both Montesante's Jazz Quintet & Dectet, and is a favourite with audiences.
Also on vocals is CRAIG SCHNEIDER, a multi-award-winning pianist, vocalist, composer, arranger, educator, and musical director. Equally, at home on the concert stage or in an intimate jazz club or cabaret venue, he has performed all over the world. During years in London, he established himself as one of the leading pianist/vocalists in the city, becoming a resident pianist at the Savoy and a regular artist at the Dorchester, Claridges and the Ivy Club where he performed for celebrities. He has released six albums and leads his own shows and bands. He has become a master of the Mark Murphy repertoire and some of those tunes shall be presented at this evening's concert.
If you enjoy iconic tunes like Tell Me A Bedtime Story, Nica's Dream, Round Midnight, Boplicity, You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To, Don't Misunderstand, Stolen Moments, Dearly Beloved and more, with horn features, then THIS is your bag! The John Montesante Dectet performs Jazz for those who savour undiluted virtuosity, outstanding soloists and big horn arrangements of Blue Note standards and Bebop.
Band line up iis: Tom Lee - bass, David Hicks - drums, Craig Fermanis - guitar , Craig Schneider - piano, Michael Fraser - lead trumpet, John Montesante - 2nd trumpet, Andrew Serpell - trombone, Tim Wilson - alto sax, Tony Hicks - tenor sax, Benjaman Hughes - baritone sax
Not to be missed!
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