Featured Artists


 

Saturday

Manly Jazz Artist

Tribute to David Sanborn - Blaine Whittaker
Beachfront Stage | Saturday 2pm - 3pm

Internationally acclaimed saxophonist Blaine Whittaker will perform at Manly Jazz bringing us a tribute to one of Jazz’s greats David Sanborn, an American alto saxophone player that worked across a variety of musical genres such as jazz, instrumental pop and R&B. While Whittaker played with James Morrison and many others in Australia, he also performed alongside some big names in the world of Canto pop ‘RubberBand’, R&B and British rock ‘BLUR’.

Blue Rhythm Band

Blue Rhythm Band - Ellington 125
Beachfront Stage | Saturday 3.30pm - 4.30pm

The Blue Rhythm Band is a swinging dance band playing music created for the ultimate jazz fans - dancers! Drawing upon the tradition of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Jimmy Lunceford and others, this band is the real deal for swing music. For Manly Jazz they will focus on the wealth of great music from the master Duke Ellington. From popular hits like “Take the A Train” and “It Don’t Mean A Thing”, to classic ballads like “In My Solitude” the soulful Latin of “Perdido” and many more of the Duke’s marvellous creations.

 

Soul Roots Revival Band

Soul Roots Revival Band
Beachfront Stage | Saturday 5pm - 6pm

Now established as Sydney’s premier ‘Soul Funk’ band, this ‘funky-as-dirt’ 8 piece, features 2 of Australia’s finest vocalists Carmel Mesiti and Glenn Cunningham, with Jason Bruer & Greg Carger (horns), Adam Ventoura (bass), Sam Boyd (keys), Ramsay McInnes (guitar) and Andy Byrnes (drums). The band’s mission is to get crowds dancing, singing, partying and pumping as they celebrate the immortal straight-to-the-heart genius of Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Kahn, Earth Wind & Fire, Gladys Knight, Tower of Power and others in an uplifting set of heartfelt soul and blistering funk that will leave you breathless.

Spyglass Gypsies

Spyglass Gypsies featuring special guest Daniel John Martin (France)
Sydney Road Stage | Saturday 2.15pm - 3pm

Get ready to be swept away by the vibrant, brilliant, and playful sounds of Spyglass! This dynamic ensemble brings a fresh, modern twist to traditional gypsy jazz, seamlessly blending French gypsy songs with their own swinging originals. With lyrical melodies from the accordion and clarinet, and the rhythmic 'la pompe' of gypsy guitars, Spyglass transports the magic of bohemian Paris into the present day. Joining Spyglass for a one-off performance at Manly Jazz is acclaimed violinist Daniel John Martin, a prominent figure in the French and international jazz scenes.

 

Flashy Dashbacks

The Flashy Dashbacks Organ Trio
Sydney Road Stage | Saturday 4.15pm - 5pm

Step back in time and into the future simultaneously with The Flashy Dashbacks Organ Trio, featuring the exciting chemistry of Clayton Doley, Tim Rollinson and Warren Trout as they pay homage to the iconic Blue Note organ trio masters. They seamlessly merge nostalgia and innovation as they bring a modern Australian soulful blues edge to the 60's New York sound. Let the music take you back and propel you forward on a sonic journey that celebrates the past while embracing the future of jazz.

man playing guitar

Funkophilia
Sydney Road Stage | Saturday 5.15pm - 6pm

Funkophilia, led by Yannick Koffi, is a quintet with the incentive of blending jazz and funk. Featuring a talented collective of local musicians, the group creates a distinctive sound that marries melodies across all styles of music with irresistible funk rhythms. Their performances are a lively exploration of these genres, offering audiences a fresh and dynamic musical experience. 

Sunday

group of jazz musicians dressed in all black

Dedicated to Duke - Dan Barnett Big Band
Beachfront Stage | Sunday 2pm - 3pm

Big band singer, trombonist and shellman Dan Barnett and his amazing 14-piece big band have been wowing audiences for over 20 years. Brimming with the country's finest exponents of big band music, the band has played at the Havana jazz festival “Jazz Plaza” in Cuba, The Waiheke Jazz festival in New Zealand and has done a national concert tour of Brazil as well as touring constantly in their native Australia. This special concert will celebrate Duke Ellington’s musical career and feature Australia’s king of swing saxophone Brad Child.

4 male jazz musicians b&w

Indra Lesmana Sydney Reunion (Indonesia)
Beachfront Stage | Sunday 3.30pm- 4.30pm

Indonesian keyboardist, composer and jazz maestro Indra Lesmana is an icon with a reputation for musicality, creativity and productivity, providing inspiration for generations of Indonesian musicians. A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Indra has been performing since he was 10 years old supported by his late father, jazz legend Jack Lesmana. He has collaborated with many artist and has toured the world extensively performing and producing recording projects, including the recent Sydney Reunion Project featuring Steve Hunter, Andy Gander and Dale Barlow.

Hot Potato At Manly Jazz

Hot Potato Band
Beachfront Stage | Sunday 5pm - 6pm

Hot Potato Band’s larger-than-life brass collective is a breath of fresh air, with a focus on setting the bar for energetic and interactive musical performances. Finding home in Sydney, they have spent the last 10 years independently curating and touring shows across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the Middle East. HPB’s music transcends genres, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere at every show. They have reinvented the traditional brass band as a modern day dance machine and visual spectacle to complement their strong sense of pride for their fun-loving, organic, and quirky musical nature.

Bob & Steve Sedergreen

Heart and Soul featuring Bob and Steve Sedergreen
Sydney Road Stage | Sunday 3.15pm - 4pm

Join father and son Bob and Steve Sedergreen, two of the country's most dynamic jazz pianists, with special guests, Sydney’s best, Dan Barnett (trombone/vocals), James Ryan (saxophone), Brendan Clarke (bass), Andrew Dickeson (drums). Bob Sedergreen is a true Australian jazz legend, and winner of the prestigious Bell Jazz Award (2018).  Steve has followed in his father’s footsteps playing at all major clubs and festivals around the country over the last four decades and has forged his own reputation as one of the country’s most respected and in-demand jazz pianists.