The Line Up
Horatio Luna, Sandy Evans & Andrew Robson Quartet, Monstress, The Saturday Social feat. Master Sonics, Nocturnal Swing - The House Band Sessions, Pablo Blitzer Electric Quartet, Reimagined, Diamond Tao, Be Hear Now - Ambient Sound Bath, Bobby Singh, KT Memo & Otis, William Street, Roger Burke Quintet
Bellingen Big Band - free public show at Bellingen Community Markets, SULT Dance Studio, Jazz Cats roaming theatre, Celebrate Sounds live podcast, Blue Note album exhibition, Yoga, DJ Jemka, DJ Coco Varma, Mark Morris, DJ André Meyer, Peret von Sturmer, Faces of Jazz photo booth, Soul Food by H&S Café, Bar service by Disco Pig
More to be announced…
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Horatio Luna
Internationally renowned jazz house bassist Horatio Luna has championed the Australian nu-jazz/jazz doof movement with his abstract dance music and bombastic bass playing.
A founding member of the 30/70 collective, featuring Allysha Joy, his compositions transcend genres and have seen the eclectic Melbourne shape-shifter solidify his place within ‘house music’ with critical acclaim.
Horatio has a local connection with Bellingen based percussion legend Greg Sheehan, with whom he studied.
Not only is his 5-piece band set to bring the dancefloor to life with jazz house vibes, you can listen to Horatio recount his musical story during the Celebrate Sounds live podcast.
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Sandy Evans & Andrew Robson Quartet
This collaboration features renowned saxophonists Sandy Evans and Andrew Robson in a dynamic ensemble rich with energy, passion, groove, spontaneity, and imagination. Completing the stellar line-up are the sensational bass player Brett Hirst and brilliant drummer Hamish Stuart.
The project features compositions by Evans and Robson that explore a wide range of contemporary jazz and improvised music.
One of Australia’s most accomplished rhythm sections generates a funky, joyous improvised space that can be deep, driving, fun-filled, or tender.
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Monstress
Monstress have been carrying their message of nu jazz prophecy to crowds across Australia since 2020.
Their jazz-infused grooves echo influences like Tank & the Bangas, Doja Cat, Lil Simz and Erika Badu.
Vocalist & Bassist, Sarah Homeh’s silky melodic hooks and spoken word spells slice through lush harmonies and imaginative solos of a stellar all-female & non-binary lineup.
Fresh from their latest release ‘Your Meal’, the band is fueled to deliver improvised solos, riff-heavy grooves, melodic hooks and rap verses that immerse crowds in an unforgettable experience.
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Pablo Blitzer Electric Quartet
Pablo Blitzer is an Argentinian composer and multi-instrumentalist known for his skills as an improviser, his moving performances and compelling storytelling.
His recorded output reflects his vast range of experiences and diverse explorations on folkloric musical languages from around the world, drawing from jazz, classical, funk and R&B traditions.
Pablo’s new Electric Quartet formed with Pete Skelton on drums, Danny Stitt on electric bass and Mark Hoare on electric guitar explores a new dimension of progressive grooves and immersive soundscapes.
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Reimagined
Reimagined perform inventive reworkings of well-loved songs, transformed through improvisation by this region's new generation of musicians.
Placing the lyricism and songwriting of pop music’s biggest names in a totally new context, Reimagined incorporate explorations of complex rhythms and elements of jazz harmony, inviting the audience to appreciate the beauty of the original songs in a new light.
Featuring Louise Gore (piano/arranging), Oscar Eager (trumpet), Memo Beltzer (bass), Otis Narbutas (drums) and Lillie O'Rourke (voice).
The Saturday Night Social
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Dance Makers Collective
Brought to you by Sydney’s Dance Makers Collective, in association with Arts Mid North Coast, The Saturday Night Social is your chance to get a groove on the dancefloor, only this time, with added know-how.
Whether dancing solo or as a couple, join one of the Dance Makers’ workshops to brush up on your moves and find new confidence on the dancefloor.
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Mastersonics
Mastersonics is a collective of the Mid North Coasts' top session musicians, specialising in top-tier music performances.
With a focus on upbeat grooves and classic soul, they bring a unique twist to modern day songs and old school favourites, guaranteed to get you dancing at The Saturday Night Social.
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Diamond Tao
Diamond Tao is a world-jazz-fusion band that play original compositions along with some Ethio-jazz and sublime modern jazz scorchers interpreted through the groups' shared exploration of the truly revolutionary 'Greg Sheehan Rhythm Diamonds'.
Featuring Greg Sheehan on kit, Oscar Eager on keys and trumpet, Zac Mukgrrngal on guitar, child whiz Atreo on accordion, Chris Frater on Tenor Sax, and Emiliano Beltzer on electric bass.
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KT Memo & Otis
Comprising of Katie Crane on electric guitar, Emilliano Beltzer (Memo) on 5 string electric bass and Otis Narbutas Lyons on drums, this jazz fusion trio delivers a dynamic performance that moves between styles, through a repertoire comprised of jazz standards and original tunes with lots of improv.
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William Street
William Street is lively horn band that has some of the region’s finest and most experienced musicians.
The group plays a mix of jazz tunes, funky New Orleans “Second Line” style arrangements. Their repertoire has vocals, sing-alongs and is jam packed full of instrumental solo features.
Featuring Tim Egan on trumpet, Chris Frater, on reeds, Ethan Penny, on trombone, Sam Penny, on baritone sax, Lawrence Pastro on drums.
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Roger Burke Quintet
Convened by Bellingen sax man Roger Burke, the quintet band leader is often described as “veteran” and “Irish”.
Roger is the proof of the truism that you become famous by being very good or very persistent.
The music is strongly Blues and Swing based, drawing from the music of Cannonball Adderly, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Horace Silver.
The core band is Bruce Stephen on bass, Roger Burke on sax, Ashley Hall on trumpet, Robbie Auld on piano, Cary Bennett on drums.
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Sandy Evans & Bobby Singh with special guest Greg Sheehan
In this concert, long-time collaborators Sandy Evans and Bobby Singh reunite to explore the rich intersections of jazz and Indian music, joined by special guest percussionist Greg Sheehan.
Widely regarded as Australia’s foremost tabla player, Singh brings deep rhythmic expertise, while percussionist Sheehan, is a Bellingen local and national treasure.
At the heart of the performance lies the improvisational spirit shared by both musical traditions—a dynamic, spontaneous exchange where rhythm and melody intertwine in inventive, surprising ways. The trio is united by a shared love of rhythmic vitality, emotional nuance, and the thrill of spontaneous musical creation.
Nocturnal Swing - The House Band Sessions
To round off the Saturday night program, Beyond Jazz has commissioned Oscar Eager, local jazz luminary and one of the hardest working sidemen on the Coffs Coast, to convene a ‘house band’, to be joined by a string of special guest featured artists.
Showcasing the depth and talent of our fine local jazz scene alongside invited guests, the band will perform upbeat classics, skillfully blending the anarchic spirit of improvisation with the harmonious mindset of collaboration.
Oscar is a trumpeter, pianist and arranger-composer who lives and breathes music. Playing in many outfits of varying genres, his musical palette is constantly collecting and blending new colours and shapes.
Joining Oscar in the House Band, is Greg Sheehan, a wizard of rhythm whose expansive and unique artistry encompasses drums, percussion and bass; and Danny Stitt, a bass player whose sound blends delicate highs and grounded full lows that draw influences from soul, Motown and funk into the world of jazz.
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SunDay Rave
In a first for Memorial Hall, we build a surround sound system and invite you to a unique fusion of wellness retreat meets day-rave, featuring a mass yoga class, sound healing, and a curated musical odyssey designed to stimulate both mind and body.
Kicks off at 9am with an hour-long yoga class led by local yogi André Meyer, with a curated sound track by Phillage Sounds.
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Be Hear Now - Ambient Sound Bath
Be Hear Now is a soundwork project developed by veteran Australian DJ Phil Smart, who uses four turntables, effects and instruments to create a multilayered sound journey using ambient music, drones, recordings of traditional sound healing instruments, field recordings and more, delivered through a powerful sound system.
These sonic spaces invite participants to let go and be present with the vibrations, giving space to reflect and an opportunity to deeply relax and let your body do what it knows how to do best.