Michelle Nicolle and The Palaver Quintet – an evening of jazz

Image: About-Michelle Nicolle

 

A very special musical event, an evening not to be missed, with jazz greats Miroslav Bukovsky and Michelle Nicolle – a peerless trumpeter and a superlative jazz singer. Supported by the soulful and inventive Ronny Ferrella on drums, Jeff Hughes on guitar and Tom Lee on bass. They will be joined by a special guest on saxophone, John Mackeay.

Expect to hear gorgeous renditions of standard songs, original material and blissful aural journeys into the unknown. Surrounded by Ildiko Kovacs’ vibrantly lyrical oil paintings in The DNA of Colour, be transported through the responsive loops and vibrations of the outstanding Palaver Trio (as Quintet) and special guests.

Tickets:

Pre-event sales online or at the Drill Hall: $20

On the night: $30

Students: $10

Friends’ of the Drill Hall: $15

Michelle Nicolle – Jazz singer

“An Australian jazz singer ready to command a world stage.” Sydney Morning Herald

Australian Jazz Awards (Bells) winner 2017 (Jazz Vocal Album of the Year), Mo Award 2001, 2003 & 2004 (Australian Entertainment Ind), National Jazz Award (1998) winner and A.R.I.A Finalist 2001, 2004 (Australian Recording Industry), Michelle Nicolle is a jazz musician whose chosen instrument is Voice.

Known for her ability to get right to the heart of a song, as well as being an in the moment improviser Michelle has continually developed and nurtured her art form with the help of her quartet.  As well as releasing 8 CDs the MNQuartet has toured extensively throughout Australia and internationally -highlights include South Korea, Finland, and Czech Republic, Asia Pacific Festival (Russia), Tokyo Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival (Holland), New Zealand, Turkey, Estonia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Miroslav Bukovsky – Trumpet

Miroslav Bukovsky is one of Australia’s leading jazz trumpeters, composers and educators. After arriving in Australia in the late 60’s from Czechoslovkia after the Russian occupation, Miroslav went on to join the  jazz faculty at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In the 80’s he furthered his studies in the USA with several major teachers, including William Adam, Dave Baker, and Dave Liebman. In the mid 80’s Miroslav was a founding member of Ten Part Invention with Roger Frampton and during that period, he also formed his own group, the Aria award winning ensemble Wanderlust, which has toured extensively in Australia and internationally. Miroslav has performed with several major Australian and international artists. His credits include the Daly-Wilson Big Band, Australian Art Orchestra, and Freeboppers. Last year saw him record a new CD, The Komeda Project with Andrea Keller and also perform at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival with TPI and Emil Viklicky. Miroslav was until recently a permanent lecturer in the Jazz Faculty at the ANU School of Music, where he now holds the position of Distinguished Artist in Residence.

Ronny Ferella – Drums

Ferella’s own band IshIsh, for which he composes most of the material, has made quite an impact on the Australian scene – releasing four CDs. In July 2001 IshIsh performed at the prestigious Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy, and Pori Festival (Finland).

Ferella leads other original improvised-based bands including Peon (a 2 drummer/electronic project) and Mandala and in 2009 launched a CD label and website, Downstream Music, which promotes improvised music made in Melbourne. In 1997 he was a finalist in National Jazz Award Drum Competition. Ronny co- founded and directed Half Bent Festival – a musician-based organisation involved in presenting concerts and he teaches Small Ensemble Studies and Principle Study (drums) at Monash University, NMIT and for The Song Room.

Geoff Hughes – Guitar

Originally from Wellington, New Zealand, Geoff is a highly accomplished musician. His practical knowledge of harmony and time is rare and much sought after – honing his craft whilst living and working throughout Europe in the 1980’s. During this time Geoff’s gigs included The North Holland Philharmonic,and supporting jazz greats Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, andHerb Ellis.
Since moving to Australia he’s recorded a CD “The Drop” with Allan Browne, and brought his unique sound to the bands of Joe Chindamo and Christine Sullivan. He often plays sessions with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and touring shows such as The Main Event. Geoff is a core member of teaching staff at the Victorian College of the Arts, and in 2007 he completed his Masters in Music Performance at The University of Melbourne.

Tom Lee – Bass

Tom Lee completed the Bachelor of Music Performance at the VCA in 2002. While at the VCA he studied under bassists Geoff Kluke, Ben Robertson as well as Assistant Principal bassist for the MSO, Andrew Moon. He has also studied at the School of Improvised Music, located in New York, under bassist Drew Gress.

Tom has recorded with ensembles such as Vada, the Gian Slater Project and Contrabanda. He has performed at numerous festivals including the WOMADELAIDE, Wangaratta International, & the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

John Mackeay – saxophone

John Mackey began playing clarinet aged 10 and then won a scholarship to study classical saxophone at age 12. John graduated from Edith Cowan University in Perth Western Australia, with a 4 year BMus in Jazz in 1990.

John has performed with many Jazz legends including BB King, Ray Charles, Johnny Griffin, Lee Konitz, Jim McNeely, Kenny Werner, Al Cohn, Mike Nock, Nat Adderley, Roy Hargrove, George Shearing and many more. John has been a member of Faculty at the ANU School of Music sine 2000 and is currently embarked on a PhD.