A swinging string quartet, made up of four great friends and musical collaborators from Melbourne, the jazz capital of Australia! Drawn together by their love of vintage tunes and rhythms and fantastic songs from the golden days of swing and romance. Hetty, Sam, Andy and Leigh showcase songs from the Great American Songbook – the 1920′s to the 1960′s with a truthful, sweet and swinging feel.. always drawing you in. Creating a special magic when they play together, Hetty Kate and Sam Lemann tip their caps to the popular jazz duo’s of the past.. Peggy Lee and Dave Barbour, Julie London and Barney Kessell, Mary Ford and Les Paul..
This band is a little bit special, due to the instrumental lineup of only stringed instruments. As tempting as it may be to include some drums, or perhaps a little trumpet or saxophone in a jazz quartet, the pulse and feeling of the strings lets you get to the heart of the melody and words, and takes you for a joyful ride.
“Hetty Kate’s voice overflows with a natural musicality.” Richard Fields, 3CR Radio Melbourne AU.
Hetty is a relatively new addition to the Australian Jazz scene, blossoming from an enthusiastic newcomer into an established performer of traditional, big band and mainstream jazz in Melbourne. With a pure, sweet voice bearing comparison with early Peggy Lee and Astrud Gilberto (as well as modern day chanteuses Silje Neergård and Stacey Kent) Hetty has performed in four continents over the last four years from Hong Kong to Chile and New York to Switzerland. Hetty fronts her own musical projects, as well as being invited to perform with The Pearly Shells Swing Orchestra (AU), The B# Big Band (AU) and The Stray Katz (HK) and working as a freelance vocalist. In four years she has as many albums under her belt, and more to come..
To visit Hetty Kate’s website, click www.hettykate.com for more info about her projects and shows. She’s also on facebook at www.facebook.com/hettykatemusic.
With a wide range of styles at his finger tips, Sam is the the preferred choice of many singers and bandleaders for corporate events, cocktail bars, TV shows, lazy evening concerts and the odd international or interstate junket.
His swinging, country tinged, south of the border sound can often be heard on a stage with Andy Baylor, Tanya Lee, Leslie Avril, The Moovin’ & Groovin’ Orchestra and of course Hetty.
When not enjoying a light lunch in Acland St or a gruelling video editing session, chances are that Sam will be in a recording studio somewhere adding to his list of over 60 CD appearances!
You can visit Sam’s website here: www.samlemann.com or visit his MySpace page to hear his music and check out his upcoming gigs by clicking here.
“Andy Baylor is one of Melbourne’s greatest musical treasures – he lives by his trade and his trade is music” Keith Glass, Herald Sun.
Andy Baylor has his roots in the inner-urban art movement of 70′s Melbourne – a time of musical experimentation, freedom and folk clubs.
He has spent the last thirty years honing his unique musical talents – drawing on America’s great twentieth century popular music legacy and his own Australian roots, to create an individual voice.
Known as a great band leader and very supportive sideman, Andy moves easily from Blues to Bebop, Cajun to Western Swing, Tex-Mex to Rockabilly, Rhythm ‘n’ Blues to New Orleans Jazz, Country to Rock or Folk to Funk.
Visit his website: www.andybaylor.com.au – to read more about Andy’s bands and music, see where he’s playing and enjoy his artwork and poetry. You can also visit his MySpace page: here.
Bassist, composer and bandleader Leigh Barker was born and raised in Canberra, where he spent his formative years studying with American bassist Eric Ajaye at the Canberra School of Music.
His move to Melbourne in 2003 provided much professional experience, with Leigh proving to be a popular accompanist for the cream of the traditional and contemporary Jazz scenes.
In addition to his work as a sideman, Leigh has always had his own working band playing and touring original Australian music.
You can visit Leigh’s website at www.leighbarker.com to read more about his upcoming gigs, his band ‘The New Sheiks’ and listen to his music.