Memorial Park at Kurrajong will come to life with the sounds of sweet jazz later this month.
From 5.30pm on Saturday, February 25, the Steve Arie Trio will headline a special Jazz in the Park event organised by The Kurrajong Community Forum and Hawkesbury City Council.
The Steve Arie Trio play a wide selection of well known jazz and Latin standards, from artists including Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Harry Connick Jr, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Louis Armstrong.
Joining Steve, who doubles on vocals and sax, is Craig Scott on double bass and Barney Wakeford on piano.
Steve is considered somewhat of a rare bird on the jazz scene. After more than 20 years as one of the most demand double bass players, he has reinvented himself as a quirky vocalist and alto sax player with more than a nod to the styles of Chet Baker and Paul Desmond.
He has performed with many Australian greats, including Dale Barlow, Bernie McGann, Ten Part Invention, George Washingmachine, Pardon Me Boys, Martin Plaza and Gyan.
The list of venues and events at which he has played is equally impressive, and includes the Chicago Jazz Festival, Hothouse Jazz Club Chicago, The Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts (USA), Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Queenstown Jazz Festival and Ruhrfestpiele Germany.
Craig Scott has been considered one of Australia’s leading bass players for more than 30 years.
He has played with numerous Australian and international jazz greats including Don Burrows, James Morrison, Julian Lee, Kerrie Biddell, Clifford Jordan and Ronnie scott.
Craig holds a masters degree in Music (Jazz Performance) and is Chair of Jazz Studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Barney Wakeford is now a 20 year scene veteran who served as a protege of Kevin Hunt, Roger Frampton and Mike Nock in the early 90s.
He is regarded a fixture of the Sydney scene and has graced stages in Turkey with Selah, played the legendary Arturos in New York with Pat O’Leary, The 616 Club in Chelsea London with Claire Martin, and The Cellar in Edinburgh with Rick Margitza.
The Kurrajong performance will be free. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and picnic.
