Musician Profiles / Audio Samples
All the musician's listed below regularly play in Sydney Jazz Collective, and we offer a variety of instrumental options to allow our clients to hire the band in a size and style best suited to each unique event.
So get comfortable, kick back, and have a listen to some of the fantastic band members that make up Sydney Jazz Collective! Scroll down to find:
- Photos
- Mp3 Audio Samples
- Short Biographies
If you really like the music on any sample, please mention this when you contact us and so we can ensure this style is featured by the band at your event.
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Jo Fabro - Vocalist
JO FABRO has been singing professionally since she was 17 years old. In 2003 she completed a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of New South Wales, majoring in Jazz Vocal Studies. She has studied with prominent musicians Joy Yates, Pat Powell, Dave MacRae, and John Harkins, as well as attending workshops by artists such as Kurt Elling, Darren Percival, Barbara Morrison, Leigh McCrae, Nikki Crayson and Tina Harrod.
At the start of 2005 Jo completed a four month residency singing in Kawasaki Japan. Upon her return to Australia, she was accepted as a top 10 finalist in the 2005 TAC Wangaratta Jazz Festival Vocalist of the year competition, as well as becoming the recipient of the Joy Yates 2005 Singer of the Year Award. Jo is a featured soloist with the vocal group Jubilation, and performs regularly at Sydney venues such as the Wine Banq, the Arthouse Hotel, @Newtown, Marble Bar, The Vanguard and The Basement.
Styles: Jazz, Soul, Blues & Funk.
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Tom Abbott - Saxophones/Flute/Clarinet
TOM ABBOTT began his musical career on the regional tablelands of Armidale, with local jazz quintet Alias J. After working with Britain's National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) and studying under Julian Arguelles in the UK, he has since performed in venues from Cuba to Vietnam – including a slot at the 2001 London International Jazz Festival with the Cornelius All Stars. Currently a lead soloist with the Sydney Metro Big Band, Tom also runs various small ensembles for corporate and club gigs.
Styles: Classic Jazz, Funk, Latin & Contemporary.
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Cameron Reid - Drums
CAMERON REID possesses a desirable combination of musical versatility, sensitivity and groove that has led to his performance with various artists and bands, including: Jane Irving, Lily Dior, Carrie Lakin, Cavan Te, Evelyn Duprai, Nick Jeffries, Jo Fabro, and the Chuck Yates Trio. He is currently a member of the Trinity Apex Trio, Matt Baker Trio and Band of the Giants.
Cameron completed the Associate Diploma in Jazz (Sydney Conservatorium) in 2001. In 2003, Cameron was the drummer for the Logie winning ABC comedy program - CNNNN. He was also a semi-finalist in the 2004 National Jazz Awards. Whilst overseas in 2005, he studied with Clarence Penn and Tom Rainey.
Styles: Jazz, Latin, Funk, Soul & other World Grooves.
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Nic Jeffries - Vocalist
NIC JEFFRIES is an accomplished singer & saxophonist who has been performing on the Sydney professional music scene now for almost 10 years. He holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in jazz saxophone, however is quickly becoming more widely known for his soulful voice.
With a vocal tone that resembles a meeting between Donny Hathaway & Frank Sinatra, Nic has been the No.1 entertainment choice of companies like Price Waterhouse Cooper, Coca Cola, The Commonwealth Bank and Bing Lee just to name a few. Whether singing backup vocals for Sydney hip-hop outfit Kid Confucius, or swinging vocal standards as front man for The Sydney Metro Big Band, Nic is always shining as one of the most versatile and compelling musicians on the Sydney scene.
Styles: Jazz, Funk, Hip-Hop & Pop.
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Nick Southcott - Piano / Keyboards
NICK SOUTHCOTT is one of the most skilled and versatile musicians on the Sydney scene today - greatly in demand across the jazz, latin, and funk/soul fields. His rare blend of groove and swing, complemented by a love of latin music, has led him to develop a unique sound that sits comfortably backing a solo vocalist, swinging hard in a trio, or working with an 18 piece Big Band. He is currently gigging with the Band of the Giants, funk outfit Grover, the Jo Fabro Group, and freelancing throughout Sydney and Australia.
Nick is a past winner of the Musicoz awards (2001, Jazz section) and has worked with the likes of Emma Pask, John Morrison’s Swing City, Club Havana, Latin big band Mucho Mambo, (with James Morrison and Monica Trapaga)and toured the north of Australia for Musica Viva. He also held a residency at the Tokyo Hilton, St Georges Bar (June-Dec 2004). Nick has studied with some of the greats of Australian jazz including Judy Bailey, Mike Nock, Paul MacNamara and the late great Roger Frampton, and classical piano with Elisabeth Green and Ransford Elsley.
Styles: Jazz, Latin, Funk & Soul.
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Karl Dunnicliff - Upright/Electric Bass
KARL DUNNICLIFF is a Sydney based double and electric bass player. He studied for 4 years at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with Craig Scott along with Andrew Dickeson, Judy Bailey and Mike Nock.
He is one of the most in demand bass players on the circuit and currently performs regular gigs with Bobby Gebert, Alex Silver Quartet, Matt Crane Quartet, Tim Fisher Trio, Lanie Lane, John Morrison and Dale Barlow. Karl has also worked with James Morrison, Judy Bailey, Matt McMahon, Emma Pask, Kevin Hunt, Ben Jones, Steve Brien, John Harkins, and George Golla.
Styles: Classic Jazz, Funk, & Latin.
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Darren Heinrich - Piano/Hammond Organ
DARREN HEINRICH: In addition to a 1st class Honours degree from the prestigious Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Darren has over 20 years experience performing Jazz/Blues/Funk/Latin/Soul on both Piano and Hammond Organ. His influences incorporate the entire spectrum of the Jazz idiom, from its earliest ragtime roots to modern jazz. He has performed in the USA, Japan, Singapore, Dubai and New Zealand. Local performance credits include a residency at the WineBanq and as a feature artist at The Basement. His Jazz Organ Trio has a residency at the Broadway Cafe. He currently has two CDs, available through Australian label LaBrava and the US label Summit Records/Chicken Coop. Other compositions of Darren's feature as standard repertoire for AMEB music examinations.
Darren's performing and recording credits include: Dale Barlow, Dave Panichi, Jeremy Sawkins, Steve Brien, Erroll Buddle, Todd Hardy Quartet, Ray Beadle & the Vipers, Marcia Hines, Steve Prestwich (Cold Chisel), Anita Spring, Blaine Whittaker, Australian Army Band, Kenny Lopez & the Havana Connection. Awards to Darren include the Jacek Chrostowski Encouragement Award for Jazz Piano and Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Young Composers Competition Runner-up.
Styles: Organ Grooves, Classic Jazz, Blues, & Soul.
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Jason Isaac - Drums/Percussion
JASON ISAAC: is one of Sydney's most versatile and talented musicians. He has been playing professionally across a broad range of styles since he was 17 and brings a unique blend of energy, experience and sensitivity to any musical situation. With a Bachelor of Music in Classical Performance and a Diploma of Music in Jazz Performance from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music; he has studied with Judy Bailey, Dale Barlow, Craig Scott, Bill Motzing, Andrew Dickeson and Gordon Rytmeister. He has also studied in the US and Europe, and performed in Masterclasses with international soloists and Jazz luminaries.
Jason has toured extensively, both regionally and internationally with performances in over 15 countries. In 1999 he travelled to Russia, Finland and Estonia as soloist with the SBS Radio and Television Youth Orchestra, and has been broadcast on ABC ClassicFM, Finnish National Radio, Chinese National Television, and the Channel 10, Channel 7, ABC and SBS television networks.
He has lead groups in performances at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Town Hall, and Sydney Entertainment Centre, as well as at many Festivals, Corporate Events, Residencies and Community Events. He is in high demand for session work in Sydney, and has recently worked as a Musical Director for a small number of recording projects. He conducts regular music clinics and workshops in Sydney and regional NSW and directed groups at the Pan Pacific Jazz Camp, IAJE Jazz Camp and NSW State Music Camp. Jason is currently the NSW Secretary of International Society for Jazz Education.
Styles: Jazz, Swing, Soul, Dance Grooves.
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For bookings and general enquiries please email:
tom@sydneyjazzcollective.com.au