This special concert is a presentation of intimate, Australian jazz with three of Australia’s experienced, talented and engaging artists in what will be a powerful quintet.

THE TALENT

John Hoffman: Flugel Horn
Zac Hurren: Tenor Saxophone
Kristin Berardi: Voice
Dave Spicer: Piano
Helen Svoboda: Double Bass

US-born John Hoffman has toured and recorded with Buddy Rich, the Woody Herman Big Band and the Buddy de Franco/Glenn Miller Orchestra . He has performed with Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jnr, Harry James, Shirley Bassey, Ray Charles and many others.

Living in Australia since 1977, John has led his own big band in Sydney and has performed and recorded with leading Australian artists.

John has been lecturing in Jazz Studies at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music since 1995 and performs and teaches throughout Australia.

Zac Hurren is a shining star in the Australian Jazz Firmament. National Jazz Award winner, Aria Award winner, Freedman Fellowship finalist; he is a truly unique and virtuosic artist.

Kristin Berardi, originally from the country town of Koumala in North Queensland, is a one of Australia’s first calls when it comes to jazz singing. Her accolades include winning the Montreux Jazz Festival’s International Vocal Competition in 2006, supporting Al Jarreau and George Benson at Montreux Jazz Festival 2007, winning the National Freedman Fellowship 2007, receiving two National Australian Bell Awards for the Best Jazz Vocal Album for 2010 & 2012, winning the National Jazz Award for Voice at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival (2012), and being one of five finalists in the 2013 APRA Professional Development Awards for Jazz. 2016 has seen her as a finalist again in the APRA Professional Development Awards for Jazz, winning another Bell Award for the Best Jazz Vocal Album and the APRA Arts Award State Awards.

Jazz