Phat Brass Band

4pm - 7pm & 5pm - 8pm | Roving

Catch the cool brass band from Aus roving around Manly on Friday night

Sydney Conservatorium Big Band

12 - 1pm | Beachfront Stage

Since its inception in the early 70s, the Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra has formed an alumni featuring a who’s who of Australia’s leading Jazz Musicians and Award Winners. Comprising 5 saxophones, 4 trombones, 5 trumpets, guitar, piano, bass and drums, the CJO features many of Australia's finest young improvisers. 

Geoff Bull Finer Cuts with Kate Wadey

1.30 -  2.30pm | Beachfront Stage

Geoff Bull formed his first New Orleans style Jazz band, The Olympia JB in the very early 1960’s when he was a young man. 50 years on and Geoff has linked up with a group of talented young musicians, all graduates of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and qualified music teachers. 

House of Bop – Now’s The Time

3 - 4.30pm | Beachfront Stage

The House of Bop is a group of elite modern Jazz musicians with a deep musical history going back many years. They have come together for Manly Jazz 2023 to pay tribute to their recently departed friend, saxophonist Andrew Speight. They will be playing repertoire they shared with Andrew over the years. Expect high energy, swinging modern Jazz to touch the soul and get your feet tapping.  

Big ‘Ol Bus Band

5 - 6pm | Beachfront Stage

This big ol’ rollicking road-band first kicked over in Nashville Tennessee, but has since featured many of Australia's top jazz, blues and soul musicians on horns, double bass, drums, vocals, guitar… and up front the dynamic songwriting duo Grace Hickey and Hugh Scott Murray III (on piano).  The pair’s swaggering, high-energy festival set is not to be missed, featuring original tunes inspired by their adventures on the backroads, and a few new takes on the songs that inspire them. 

Cope Street Parade

11.15am - 12pm | Sydney Road Stage

Formed in 2009, The Cope Street Parade are considered one of Australia’s most established creative music ensembles. They blend spicy rhythms with unique song-writing that span the genres of jazz, folk, pop, gypsy and swing. With tender ballads and rollicking dance numbers they capture the spirit and warmth of early music styles and cheekily blur the lines between the contemporary and the classic. Influences include Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, Father John Misty and Leadbelly.

The Spelunkers

12.15 - 1pm | Sydney Road Stage

Get ready to be transported to the golden era of jazz with The Spelunkers, an extraordinary ensemble that effortlessly blends the timeless allure of the old jazz masters with their own fresh and innovative compositions. Led by a diverse collective of seasoned veterans and vibrant young talents, The Spelunkers deliver an unforgettable musical experience that will surely leaving you wanting more. 

Blaine Whittaker – Strange Universe 

1.15 - 2pm | Sydney Road Stage

An Australian who has paid his dues by playing all around the world, went to New York in the 90s to hone his craft and studied with Wynton Marsalis, George Coleman and Vincent Herring.  Back in Australia, he became a member of James Morrison’s touring band for almost 10 years, Morrison being the country’s foremost Jazz trumpeter and musical icon.  

Eamon Dilworth’s Crawfish Po’ Boys

2.15 - 3pm | Sydney Road Stage

It’s “social music” - Eamon Dilworth’s Crawfish Po’Boys brings people together from young & old. Inspired by the musical melting pot of the music of New Orleans the shows are all about breaking down the fourth wall and inviting the audience to participate both in song & dance.

Mitch Williamson Quintet

3.15 - 4pm | Sydney Road Stage

With Mitch Williamson on alto sax, Lachlan McKenzie on trumpet, Hugh Barrett on piano, Jacob Graham on bass and George Greenhill on drums, the Mitch Williamson quintet combines a range of players who all bring their own personal style and interpretations to the music. Playing arrangements mainly from the bebop era, this band will be playing a diverse set that will focus on melodies, interaction and improvisation over some familiar and not so familiar songs. 

Tilly Street Quartet

4.15 - 5pm | Sydney Road Stage

Tilly Street is one of Sydney’s prominent up and coming jazz singers. Known for her keen sense of phrasing and cool tone, her energy beams through with every song. Able to swing with some of the best, Street brings a fresh sound to the jazz scene that is sure to sweep you off your feet.

JC Stylles & Andrew Dickeson's Manhattan Project 

5.15 - 6pm | Sydney Road Stage

Guitarist JC Stylles, part of the fabric of the New York City Jazz Scene for nearly 20 years, revisits the Manly Jazz Festival for the first time in many years, rejoining early bandmate and drummer par excellence  Andrew Dickeson in presenting their Manhattan Project together. 

Pittwater High School Big Band

10 - 10:45am | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

Pittwater High School has a long history of producing fine musicians. Our Big Band comprises of students ranging from years 8 - 12 and plays an eclectic range of repertoire. The ensemble plays at music festivals and community events throughout the year. 

St Pius X College Senior Jazz 

11 - 11.45am | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

St.Pius X College has a long and proud history of excellence in Instrumental Music, with a Band program at least 60 years old. The Senior Jazz Band is one of Sydney’s finest school jazz ensembles, with great contest success and appearances at the Manly Jazz Festival over the years. Many professional jazz musicians, such as Kevin Hunt, Steve Fitzmaurice, Michael Harrison, Graham Hunt, Thomas Hamilton and Nic Jeffries have come through the ranks of our Senior Jazz Band. 

Mosman High Jazz Ensemble

12 - 12.45pm | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

Mosman High School has a proud history of providing students with outstanding music education and a reputation for having an ensembles program of a high standard. The Jazz Stream is a growing part of the instrumental ensembles program where students audition to join the ensemble. The band plays a varied repertoire that teaches them the fundamentals of jazz and improvisation. 

Redlands Intermediate and Advanced Stage Bands

1 - 1.45pm | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

Introducing the Redlands Musicians at the 2023 Manly Jazz Festival! We are pleased to showcase the talented musicians from Redlands School, known for their dedication to musical excellence and education. With a rich history dating back to 1884, Redlands has been committed to shaping young minds, fostering confidence, and promoting compassion. 

Killara High School Stage Band 1

2 - 2.45pm | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

Killara High School’s Stage Band 1 is the schools top band consisting of students from Years 9-12. Stage Band 1 has performed at the North Shore High Schools Music Spectacular, Sydney Eisteddfod and many other school events this year. 

St Augustine’s College

3 - 3.45pm | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

St Augustine’s College Big Band 1 is comprised of the most experienced musicians at the College. Big Band 1 has performed at the College Open Day, Saints Swing, The Sydney School’s Jazz Festival, The Sydney Eisteddfod, Music Festival Week Showcase Concert and the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival. 

St Augustine’s College Jazz Ensemble 1 comprises our most senior students and serves as the College’s top Jazz Ensemble. Jazz Ensemble 1 has performed at the College Open Day, Saints Swing, The Sydney Schools Jazz Festival, The Sydney Eisteddfod and the Music Festival Week Showcase Concert. 

NBSC Balgowlah Boys Campus Jazz Orchestra

4 - 4.45pm | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

Balgowlah Boys Jazz Orchestra is one of the schools most advanced ensembles. Members audition annually for their position and the band ranges in age from Y8-11. The ensemble explores a wide range of repertoire from big band classics by Ellington & Basie to more modern Jazz tunes by Alan Baylock, Gordon Goodwin & Michael Philip Mossman, along with numerous others. 

Cammeraygal High School Stage Band 

5 - 5:45pm | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

Cammeraygal High School is situated on the lower north shore of Sydney and is only nine years old. In fact, this is it’s fourth year to have run a Year 12 class. The school has two campuses – the middle school, Yr 7-9, is situated on the Pacific Highway and the senior campus, Yr 10-12 near St Leonards Park in Crows Nest. 

Horns Plus Big Band

10.15 - 11am | St Matts Stage

Horns Plus is a community band based in Lane Cove and has been running for over 20 years, performing at jazz festivals, functions, charity fundraisers, and community events – including 11 appearances at Manly Jazz since 2004. With a classic 19-piece big band line-up, Horns Plus is led by renowned trumpeter Bob Coassin and showcases all styles of jazz, from big band swing through to contemporary big band numbers, R&B, Motown and jazzrock arrangements. 

Benjamin’s Big Band

11.15am - 12pm | St Matts Stage

Benjamin’s Big Band has been an acknowledged institution on Sydney’s Northern Beaches for 30 years, exciting audiences from Manly to Montreal, North Bondi to New York City. The musicians are a mix of students, seniors, and professionals with ages from 14 to 80. Musical Director, acclaimed trumpeter Ray Cassar, has added explosive new Big Band tunes to its already impressive array of instrumental and vocal standards. 

Beachside Big Band 

12.15 - 1pm | St Matts Stage

Introducing the recently-formed Beachside Big Band, a group of highly skilled jazz musicians hailing from Sydney's Northern Beaches. Many of them have been part of the renowned Manly Jazz Festival since its early days, under the inspiring leadership of John Speight. Upon closer inspection, one can discern the influence of esteemed Sydney-based ensembles like Young Northside Big Band, Brass Machine, and Enormous Horns in the band's line-up. What unites every member is their unwavering passion for big band music, a love that transcends generational boundaries, encompassing both high school students and retirees. 

Dr V’s Swing Thing 

1.15 - 2pm | St Matts Stage

Formed in 2001 by Enigmatic trumpeter, ARIA winning artist, and fondly remembered ‘Dr of Jazz’, Vlad Khusid, Dr V’s Swing Thing is a 20-piece Jazz Big Band comprising jazz alumni from Sydney Grammar School. The group has performed concerts at festivals all over Australia from Darwin to Wangaratta to Manly to Orange and has a deep interest in performing the entire breadth of the jazz canon including sophisticated new music to classics from the swing era and beyond.

Sussudio Big Band 

2.15 - 3pm | St Matts Stage

Sussudio Big Band is a community band that has been around for 20 years as an excellent avenue for keen jazz musicians to hone their skills and gain experience. Based in Waitara the band has regular jazz gigs and performs at corporate functions, weddings, parties and community events. The band has a mix of young professionals and amateur players and has recorded 3 studio albums and plays a wide variety of music. 

Northside Big Band 

3.15 - 4pm | St Matts Stage

The Young Northside Big Band was founded by the late John Speight (founder of the Manly Jazz Festival) to give young musicians a chance to experience quality Big Band jazz at a time when such bands were virtually non-existent in schools or the wider community. This band became a major force in Jazz Education in Sydney, numbering James Morrison, Dale Barlow, Steve Williams, Trevor Griffin amongst its alumni. Geoff Power re-formed the band in 2008 as a tribute to John’s pioneering work in Jazz Education.  

Sydney Youth Jazz Orchestra 

4.15 - 5pm | St Matts Stage

Sydney Youth Jazz Orchestra ,or SYJO, is a not-for-profit association established in 2012 to provide high-level music training and performing experience for aspiring young jazz musicians. SYJO provides an opportunity for school-aged students to play with a group of highly motivated and talented young musicians led by the accomplished Saul Richardson, one of Australia's best jazz educators. 

Sax Summit 

11am - 2pm | Roving

The Sax Summit are back at Manly Jazz this year! Catch the lads roaming around Manly between 11am - 2pm on Saturday. 

King Street Brass Band

2pm - 5pm | Roving

King Street Brass brings the music of New Orleans and pop classics to the streets of Manly. 

Cope Street Parade

3.30pm - 5.30pm | Roving

The Cope Street Parade are considered one of Australia’s most established creative music ensembles. They blend spicy rhythms with unique song-writing that span the genres of jazz, folk, pop, gypsy and swing.

Dan Barnett Big Band

11am - 12pm | Beachfront Stage

Dan Barnett was born into music being the son of the legendary Sydney Bassist Cliff Barnett he began his musical life as a Trombonist and quickly developed a love for singing and has since carved out an enviable reputation on the Australian music scene. Dan has worked and recorded with some of the greats in Australian and world music.  

Philip Johnston and the Greasy Chicken Orchestra

12.30 - 1.30pm | Beachfront Stage

Sydney-based saxophonist/composer and New York expat Phillip Johnston leads the 8-piece miniature repertory ensemble, The Greasy Chicken Orchestra, through innovative arrangements of jazz of the 1920s and 1930s, as well as his original music reflecting that musical language on their new release, I Cakewalked With A Zombie. This long-evolving project continues Johnston’s exploration of the history of orchestration and composition-focused ensembles, such as The Microscopic Septet, Big Trouble, and The Silent Six. 

Hot Potato Band

2 - 3pm | Beachfront Stage

Hot Potato Band’s larger-than-life brass collective is a breath of fresh air, setting a new bar for energetic and interactive musical performances. Finding home in Sydney, Australia, their positive coastal energy pushes euphoric boundaries in their bold quest to reignite acoustic instrumentation. The bands 10 year street performing history and unique sound is built on the backs of three drummers, a sousaphone and five horns that cover catchy chorus lines, providing a beautiful harmonic cloud for Ben (vocalist) to float above. 

Tribute to Don Burrows

3.30 - 4.30pm | Beachfront Stage

Don Burrows' musical colleagues play a tribute to his enormous contributions to the careers of generations of Australia musicians. 

Musicians - Kevin Hunt piano, Andy Firth clarinet flute and saxophones, John Nicol guitar/voice, David Pudney bass, Gordon Rytmeister drums.

Clayton Doley Bayou Billabong

5 - 6pm | Beachfront Stage

Clayton Doley is a giant of the Australian Blues and Jazz Scene, Sydney Blues Society's Keyboard Player of the Year for the fifth year running, Clayton has played with a who's who of international artists. His virtuosity on the hammond organ is unmatched and has seen him tour the world performing with artists such as Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram, Joe Bonamassa, Walter 'Wolfman' Washington, Harry Manx, Steve Cropper & Donald 'Duck' Dunn (Booker T & the M.G.'s, Blues Brothers), David Garibaldi (Tower Of Power), Jimmy Barnes, The Divinyls, Hubert Sumlin, Mojo Buford, Louisiana Red, Guitar Shorty, Renee Geyer, The Mighty Reapers, Eugene Hideaway Bridges - to name a few. 

John Morrison All Stars Featuring John Hoffman

11.15am - 12pm | Sydney Road Stage

The John Morrison Allstars with singer Jacki Cooper, brings together some of Australia’s favourite musicians from across Australia. Joining the Northern Beaches locals are Canberra-based guitarist Chris Johnstone, local bassist Oscar Peterson, and from Byron Bay, the legendary American trumpeter John Hoffman.  

Queen Porter Stomp

12.15 - 1pm | Sydney Road Stage

Queen Porter Stomp use their dirty swamp music to shirk those Prohibition blues – swinging skirts and scuffed shoes for hardwood and concrete dance floors alike. This is jazz where swing is the key you play, Melody is your gypsy mistress and signature is what your trying to avoid committing to paper until you have shot of bootlegged whisky. 

Andy Firth Quartet

1.15 - 2pm | Sydney Road Stage

Andy Firth is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding clarinet players in the world today, having played internationally with some of the finest performers, bands and orchestras in both classical and jazz music. His mastery of the clarinet and saxophone, unrivalled expression of tone and technique, and endless devotion and enthusiasm to the music that he plays, has earned Andy a reputation as a performer not to be missed! 

Celebrating Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

2.15 - 3pm | Sydney Road Stage

2019 marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Master Drummer and legendary band leader Art Blakey. In celebration of this, dummer / band leader Andrew Dickeson put together a band comprising some of Sydney’s finest musicians – dedicated to performing Jazz Messengers repertoire, along with some lesser-known material by Blakey alumni.  

Dave MacRae and Joy Yates Quintet

3.15 - 4pm | Sydney Road Stage

The musical journey of Joy and Dave have included many and varied musical associations during their time in USA, UK and Europe. Joy’s credits include Orson Welles, George Michael, The Two Ronnies, Cliff Richard, Van Morrison and many jazz gigs at Ronnie Scott’s club and other prestigious European venues. Dave equally diverse, has spent time with The Buddy Rich Band, Chet Baker, Annie Ross, Clarke Terry, Nucleus and includes production for Scott Walker and The Goodies and innumerable recording sessions for a huge variety of artists.

Andy Gander 4tet

4.15 - 5pm | Sydney Road Stage

Over a 40 year career, Sydney drummer Andy Gander has recorded and performed with many local and international jazz artists including Don Burrows, Steve McKenna, Mark Isaacs, Joe Chindamo, James Muller, Paul Grabowsky, Vince Jones, Bobby Shew, Kenny Wheeler, Johnny Griffin, Ernie Watts, Jim Pugh, Ray Brown, Kenny Kirkland, Larry Coryell, Harry Connick Jr. and many others. 

ALLY

5.15 - 6pm | Sydney Road Stage

ALLY is global music at its most passionate and innovative with music drawn from Afro-Peruvian, Cuban, Afro Brazilian and Andalusian traditional rhythms paired with a modern jazz aesthetic. The ensemble combines the skills of Peruvian, Brazilian and jazz artists currently living in Sydney. Their aim is to produce spectacular, trailblazing original music that straddles both Latin and jazz soundscapes.

Iron Cove Big Band

10 - 10.45am | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

Iron Cove Big Band: was established for talented school students in Sydney’s Inner West to play in an outstanding music ensemble. It offers the opportunity to play at a higher standard and more challenging jazz repertoire.

Manly Campus Jazz Orchestra

11 - 11.45am | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

The Manly Campus Jazz Orchestra is the senior stage band of Manly Campus.  Over a quarter of the school’s students play in the band program, which is made up of 10 ensembles including 3 wind bands, three big bands, a string ensemble and a chamber orchestra. They perform at musical festivals and community concerts in Sydney and in country tours in New South Wales as well as regular international touring. 

Scots College Big Band 1

12 - 12.45pm | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

Jazz at The Scots College is one of the most prolific areas of the Music Department. Boys are taught how to incorporate and embed the history and harmonic elements of Jazz into soulful and authentic performances. The Scots College Big Band 1 is the premiere Jazz ensemble in the music program at Scots.

NSW Public Schools Jazz Orchestra 

1 - 1.45pm | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

The NSW Department of Education, Arts Unit, provides opportunities for NSW students and teachers to teach, learn and lead in creative, performing and literature and language arts. We believe whoever you are, wherever you are, you understand the value of engaging in the arts and have an opportunity to do so. 

Pennant Hills High School Big Band

2 - 2.45pm | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

The Pennant Hills High School Music Ensembles Program consists of two concert bands, two jazz bands, a string ensemble and a choir. The Big Band is the senior of the two jazz ensembles. The ensembles perform for school functions such as Presentation Night, Student Leadership Council Induction and Open Day, as well as local community events such as primary schools’ fetes and festivals.

NSW Public Schools Stage Band

3 - 3.45pm | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

The NSW Department of Education, Arts Unit, provides opportunities for NSW students and teachers to teach, learn and lead in creative, performing and literature and language arts. We believe whoever you are, wherever you are, you understand the value of engaging in the arts and have an opportunity to do so. 

Pittwater House Big Band

4 - 4.45pm | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

The Pittwater House School has a proud history of music excellence in instrumental music. The Big Band comprises talented students from years 7 - 12 who learn about the traditions of jazz music through a varied repertoire of jazz standards through to more modern forms of music. All band members also participate in one or more of the instrumental program core ensembles. 

Killarney Heights High School Big Band 

5 - 5.45pm | Jazz Stars of the Future Stage

The Killarney Heights High School Big Band is the school’s senior jazz ensemble, comprised mostly of students from year 9-12. Rehearsing once a week, the group focuses a variety of repertoire, including music from the Big Band greats like Count Basie and Duke Ellington, to more modern funk and pop selections. This year, the band has played at Lazybones Lounge in Marrickville, the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival, and NSSWE’s Spring Festival at Chatswood Concourse.  

Soul Street Brigade

11am - 2pm | Roving

Mayhem and fun, interactive and crazy. Old School Jazz Standards to top 40 Groovy greats. This band brings fantastic energy to the street no power cords but plenty of energy!

King Street Brass Band

12 - 1pm | Roving

King Street Brass brings the music of New Orleans and pop classics to the streets of Manly. 

Sax Summit 

2 - 5pm | Roving

The Sax Summit are back at Manly Jazz this year! Catch the lads roaming around Manly between 2 - 5pm on Sunday.