Immerse yourself in an evening of swinging bands and smooth vocals with Jazz At The Lounge at The Concourse, a live music series showcasing some of Sydney's best musicians alongside renowned Australian voices on the international jazz scene.
"As a music lover, it's just so exciting to have Willoughby Council supporting jazz on the north shore in Sydney; while we love all the places in our city that present this vital and exciting music that is jazz, for everyone who loves it and lives north of the Bridge, having Jazz At The Lounge is just phenomenal," Ashleigh Ho, the Arts and Partnerships Producer at Willoughby City Council says."The sound in there is incredible, the space is a perfect size and looks gorgeous and cabaret club-ish with its dramatic velvet drapes and candlelit tables – perfect for date night, a night out with friends or just for the pure pleasure of great music for a couple of hours – at the broadly appealing end of jazz – with terrific, world-class artists.
"Add easy parking (or Metro access), drinks and antipasti you can order from your table, and the fact you can be home again before 10pm, what's not to love?! Thanks to Willoughby Council for supporting this amazing initiative for not just the local community but also anyone in Sydney who loves jazz."
Gregg Arthur
Endorsed by the biggest names in jazz and praised by his contemporaries and the press, Australian vocalist and composer Gregg Arthur follows in the footsteps of Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, and Tony Bennett as one of the great interpreters of classic jazz standards.Gregg takes the stage with Australian jazz players: pianist Peter Locke, bassist Craig Scott, and drummer Andrew Dickeson for this new concert performing the brilliant songbook of Duke Ellington, including 'Caravan', 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore', 'Take The A Train' and so much more.
"Jazz fans and musicians alike are very excited about the beautiful new venue, The Lounge, at at Chatswood Concourse," Gregg says. "This world-class showroom is a wonderful addition to Sydney's music scene, and its sophisticated style is perfect for our performance of classic Duke Ellington songs."
Gregg Arthur performs The Duke Ellington Songbook 10 October.
Marsala
Performing around the world for over 25 years, Marsala covers some of the best music from Cuba, Colombia, Brazil, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia, Russia, France, Italy, Spain, and Zimbabwe.Presenting 'the world' in music, from gypsy, tango, salsa, samba, African township tunes to French rap and Italian jazz, audiences can't help but dance and fall in love with each other's traditions through their music.
This Balkan party band has played countless major events, from Australia Day, The Latin Festival, Parramasala, the 2023 CultureX Festival, and regularly sells out jazz clubs from the Basement to Camelot Lounge, and more.
Led by the charismatic Joseph Zarb on vocals and guitar, some of the incredible featured musicians in Marsala include Lupco Stojcevski on saxophone in the Macedonian tradition of music, Gino Pengue on guitar and extraordinary multi-instrumentalist, Jess Ciampa on drums and percussion. "It's just an absolute honour," shares Joseph.
"All the people in Chatswood and all the wonderful people in the events team at Chatswood Council and the staff and students of Mercy College have been such a big part of my musical life, that to be invited to play in The Concourse is literally overwhelming.
"So what is Marsala? Hearts connecting through music. Discovering the immense beauty of one another and our cultures through the music traditions. We take you around the world, singing songs in 16 languages. We laugh and cry and dance and sing together. Music is the one language that everyone understands."
Marsala performs 7 November.
Hetty Kate
Direct from Paris, sublime jazz vocalist Hetty Kate brings her Quartet to Jazz At The Lounge with a sparkling selection of classics and curios from the Great American Songbook, alongside favourites from her most recent releases, including 'Under Paris Skies'.One of James Morrison's favourite singers, Hetty Kate has graced stages from New Zealand to New York and appeared at festivals in Europe, Asia, Australia and America.
With a 'stage presence only matched by the clarity of her voice' Hetty is often described as 'the real deal' and 'one of the best swing-style singers on the current scene' (Will Friedwald, author and jazz critic USA).
Masterful, warm and entertaining, an evening not to be missed. "I'm delighted to be wrapping up my 2024 Australian tour at The Concourse in Sydney," Hetty says. "This iconic venue is a true haven for entertainment and the arts, inspiring both musicians and audiences alike.
"While it will be bittersweet to say 'so long', it's an absolute honour to do so in such a celebrated space. I'm really looking forward to it!"
Hetty Kate performs The American Songbook 5 December.
Jazz At The Lounge takes place at The Concourse in the heart of Sydney's North Shore.
