Upcoming Events
20th September 2026
Sanfona - Gipsy Jazz
Sanfona play jazz infused with high energy improvisations, colourful melodies and toe-tapping grooves, transforming music by artists such as Richard Galliano, Django Reinhardt, Serge Luc and Ludovic Beier.
Sanfona are Jo Abbott - accordion/bandleader; Pierre Jaquinot on guitar
Sean Nihill - trumpet; Henry Francis - bass; Stephen Caruana - drums. Sanfona musician’s have toured nationally and internationally to festivals such as Wangaratta Jazz Festival; Stonnington Jazz Festival; Ozemanouche; Live en Aout, and many more.
The group have been making their mark on the Melbourne scene and steadily gaining new fans with their unique sound of French/ European groove based jazz performances at many venues around Melbourne and regional Victoria. Sanfona have been featured on radio jazz shows such as 3PBS :”Global Village”; Joy FM “Bent Notes” and 3CR: “Swing’n’Sway” and “Music Matters”.
www.sanfona.net
18th October 2026
Island TimeBig Band
The Island Time Big Band is a dynamic 18-piece ensemble led by pianist and musical director Matthew Goss. Known for their energy, precision, and passion for big band music, the group brings classic and contemporary jazz to life on stage. Their repertoire spans the golden age of swing through to modern big band masterpieces, featuring the timeless sounds of Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, and Gordon Goodwin, among others. Audiences can expect a vibrant mix of hard-swinging instrumentals, lush ballads, Latin jazz and vocal classics that showcase the full power and versatility of the big band tradition. With a line-up of talented musicians from across the Bass Coast, Island Time Big Band celebrates the enduring appeal of big band jazz—capturing the excitement of the past while embracing fresh, contemporary sounds of the big band idiom. Island Time Big Band will perform at the Phillip Island Jazz Club with special guest, powerhouse vocalist, Elly Poletti. Elly brings a voice shaped by soul, jazz and blues to the big band sound. She has performed in such festivals as the Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Melbourne Jazz Festival, Melbourne White Night Festival and performed in some iconic venues such as John Cain Arena, The Forum, Melbourne Convention Centre, Federation Square, The Botanic Gardens, The Paris Cat, The Athenaeum Theatre, The Meat Market, The National Theatre and Chapel off Chapel. Island Time Big Band are delighted to have Elly up front as a special guest.
15th November 2026
All Day Jazz Extravaganza
10.00am - 5pm
Tickets on sale now
Cost per head is $50.00 (includes lunch)
10.00 to midday
Steve Temple with Friends
Once again we look forward to seeing the return of Steve Temple with Friends. A great line-up of of very talented musicians, with Steve on trumpet, Sandra Talty on drums, Richard Mander on Bass, the great Willie Purcell on banjo, Zac O'Connell on reeds and Calum Mintzis on trombone.
Sit back, relax and enjoy some great jazz from this group of friends.
Midday to 1.00pm - Lunch will be served
1pm to 3pm
Syncopators
This group has six of the finest musicians in Australia and without doubt they are considered to be one of the best show bands in the country. If you only see one group for 2025 you will leave amazed at their organisation and control. The members of the group are Chris Ludowyk leader and trombone, Peter Gaudion on trumpet and vocals, Richard Miller on reeds, James Clark on bass, Steven Grant on keyboards and Rod Gilbert on drums. Originally titled as The Society Syncopators and more recently the Syncopators.
We are really looking forward to the return of this fantastic group the Syncopators. Every where they perform the bring large fun loving audiences to see them and we will expect that this will be similar in November.
3.00pm to 5pm
Tamara Kuldin
