Jacki Cooper

While working for the renowned Stanford Jazz Workshop at Stanford University in the USA in 1994, Jacki studied with US jazz singers Mark Murphy, Kitty Margolis, Madeline Eastman and Nancy King, and gigged regularly with local musicians. She recorded a radio program on Fog in the City Radio, and was also invited to San Antonio, Texas, to sing with the Jim Cullum Jazz Band at the famous Landing Jazz Club on the Riverwalk. In 2003, Jacki was the featured resident vocalist on the inaugural season for the cruise ship, Oceania Regatta, cruising around Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean. In 2005, Jacki invited to perform at Sax n Art Jazz Club in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam with world-class saxophonist, Tran Manh Tuan. In 2007, Jacki and John toured China, performing at JZ Jazz Club and the House of Jazz and Blues in Shanghai. The tour highlight was performance at the Oriental Arts Centre with the Shanghai Symphony Big Band.

In Adelaide, The Jacki Cooper Jazz Quartet performed regularly on the local jazz circuit. Jacki is also an actor and has featured in several commercials on television. In 1998 she was the presenter of CityScene, a lifestyle show promoting events in Adelaide.

Since moving to Sydney in July 2006, Jacki has been collaborating with Swing City’s John Morrison. Together they formed “New Generation” which is a forum for young players. Currently “New Generation” features Tim Fisher on piano, Karl Dunnicliff on double bass, and Bernard Winetroube on vibraphone.

Visit Jacki’s website at www.jackicooper.com for more information.

John Morrison

“The Cat in the Hat”

John Morrison

John Morrison has delighted audiences for more than 25 years with his humor and dedication to sounds that swing. Equally at home in a small group or big band setting, his musical facility runs the entire spectrum from traditional jazz, swing, Bebop, R&B, Soul and commercial jazz rock.

The eldest of the Morrison family, John has spent much of his musical life playing and recording with his younger brother James Morrison. At age 8, John began playing cornet in the school brass band and by the age of 10 had built his first drum set from pots and pans. In these early few years he played many different instruments and styles but jazz drumming was to be his calling.

After living in New York for over 12 months in the late eighties, John and James returned home to form Australia’s premier jazz big band “The Morrison Bros Big Bad Band”. John widened his exposure and experience also playing with a variety of other well-known artists including James Moody, Scott Hamilton, Richie Cole, John and Jeff Clayton, Garry Dial, Jimmy Whitherspoon, Eartha Kitt, Don Burrows, George Golla, and Bob Barnard.”

As the driving force behind Swing City, John, who was voted Australia’s best big band drummer, looks forward to a big future for his most exciting project to date – Swing City.

Further to his playing schedule, John is a musical director for Pan Pacific and heads highly successful high school jazz music camps.

He is known for his work in the recording studio both as player and producer and hosts his own “Jazz at Five” radio show on Sydney radio station FM 99.3

Visit John’s website for more information.

Occupation: Musician. Sax and Vocals. Acting. Radio Broadcasting. Public/After Dinner Speaking. Television Presentation/Production/Writing. Master of Ceremonies. Event and Tour Management. Music Producer/Director. Jingle composition and copy writing.

Music Experience: OL’ 55. Skyhooks. Elvis Costello. Garth Brooks. Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons. Tom Jones. Split Enz. Roy Orbison. Cold Chisel. Dire Straits. Frankie J. Holden. Lou Rawls. Billy Daniels. Ricky May. James Morrison. Renee Geyer. The Angels. The Black Sorrows. Joe Camilleri. Glenn Shorrock. Dragon. Billy Thorpe. James Reyne. The Sports. Paul Kelly.

Television: Countdown. The Fast Lane. Flying Doctors. Hey Hey it’s Saturday. MDA. Logie Awards segment producer. Our Place. ABC Jazz Series. The Paul Hogan Show. Daryl Somers’ Tonight Show. Blankety Blanks. Sale of the Century. Celebrity Squares. MTV. Getaway. Wilde about Golf. A Pub too Far. Postcards. The Russell Gilbert Show.
Spicks and Specks. Live at The Basement.

Ara Neccessian

Ara arrived in Australia from Armenia in mid-7O’s and established himself in recording sessions with some of Australia’s finest singers and musicians. His versatility in different styles of music has enabled him to be in continual demand as a professional musician.

Ara has worked all over Austral and throughout the world on various occasions. He has also performed with singer, Delilah, at Darwin Casino and is currently working with the “Doobie Bros Show” featuring Glen Shorrick as special guests.

He has also worked at the Bourbon and Beefsteak Bar, Kings Cross for many years and continues to work with The Bourbon Boys band at numerous venues throughout Sydney and interstate.

Ara is a welcome keyboard player in any top-line musical combo in and around Sydney and Australia.

Gavin Pitt-Ware

Dingo Creek welcomes Gavin Pitt-Ware to the 2010 Festival.  Gavin is of Torres Strait lsland – Jamaican background.

He started his musical career working with Maori Showbands throughout Australia, New Zealand, Far
East, England & Europe. Gavin came into his own when he returned from overseas to work solo in NSW Clubs and TV performances.

He started his own 3 piece band – “Baseeka” – at the Kings Cross venue, called “The Persian Room” in 1974. He also ventured over to the USA with the Jacquie Love show in the 1980′s. Gavin was a resident’musician/singer for many years at the world-famous Bourbon & Beefsteak Bar.

He is now the founding member of “The Bourbon Boys” who currently perform at live venues throughout Sydney and interstate. Gavin has accessed many styles of music in his 40 years of performing – Lou Rawls, Barry White, Billy Eckstine, Nat King Gole, Lionel Ritchie and many more.

Gavin’s appearance on any programme is guaranteed to please audiences worldwide.