THE CON ARTISTS JAZZ ORCHESTRA IN CONCERT
The Con Artists Jazz Orchestra Directed by Steve Newcomb The Con Artists, formed at QCGU by John Hoffman in 1996, are a jazz orchestra showcasing Brisbane’s brightest emerging talent. Under the direction of Steve Newcomb since 2013, the ensemble regularly performs new works by up-and-coming composers and arrangers, in addition to traditional and contemporary classics by the well-established composers of big band repertoire. In the last 20+ years, guest soloists of the Con Artists have included: Christine Sullivan, Dale Barlow, Joe Chindamo, Jim Pugh, Scott Tinkler, Jacam Manricks, Mat Jodrell, James Morrison, Will Vinson, and Tony Gould to name but a few. Their most recently released album recording “On the Other Side” featured distinguished alumni vocalists Katie Noonan, Kristin Berardi, Elly Hoyt, Hannah Macklin, Emma Dean, Luara Karlson-Carp, and Megan Washington. Steve Newcomb is an Australian pianist equally in demand for his unique touch on the piano and detailed composing and arranging style that explores a realm shared by jazz and new music. He enjoys sharing the stage with a multitude of artists of various styles and genres, making “music in a knotty zone where Thelonious Monk meets classical music” (Sydney Morning Herald). Newcomb has written for a wide array of artists and ensembles, from Ben Folds, Augie March, and The Panics in the ‘pop’ world, to the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Sydney Symphony, and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras in the ‘classical’ world. As an arranger, Steve has worked in collaboration with Katie Noonan, Chris McNulty, Queensland Music Festival, Metropole Orkest, among others. He is Senior Lecturer and Head of Jazz at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, and completed Master of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts degrees at Manhattan School of Music under Kenny Barron and Jim McNeely.
Sax 1 Harry Ottley
Trombone 1 Thomas Evans-Grulke
Sax 2 Sara McLean
Trombone 2 James Wilke
Sax 3 Joshua O’Byrne
Trombone 3 Sophie Ainsworth
Sax 4 James Prendergast
Trombone 4 William Muir
Sax 5 Theo Parrott Trumpet 1 Benjamin Oldham
Piano William Ellerton
Trumpet 2 Cooper Williams
Guitar Pete Kaewmechai
Trumpet 3 Gabriel Garcia Trumpet 4 James Battersby
Bass Elliott Parker Drums Grace King Drums Christopher Evans
Vocalists Lara McGahan Liam Keates-Ryley
[LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER]
Avalon Music by Al Jolson, Buddy Desylva & Vincent Rose Arranged by Paul Gibbens Featuring: Lara McGahan (voice)
Come Rain or Come Shine Music by Harold Arlen, Lyrics by Johnny Mercer Arranged by Vaughan Wiester Featuring: Liam Keates-Ryley (voice)
First Love Song Music by Bob Brookmeyer Featuring: William Ellerton (piano) Little Green Music by Joni Mitchell Arranged by Steve Newcomb Featuring: Lara McGahan (voice), Pete Kaewmechai (guitar)
Tip Toe Music by Thad Jones Featuring: Ben Oldham (trumpet), Grace King (drums), Sara McLean (alto saxophone)
Well You Needn’t Music by Thelonious Monk Arranged by Ian McDougall Featuring: Lara McGahan & Liam Keates-Ryley (voice), Elliott Parker (bass), Pete Kaewmechai (guitar), William Ellerton (piano), Gabriel Garcia (trumpet), Josh O’Byrne & Jame Prendergast (tenor saxophones), Grace King (drums)