On Thursday July 19 at Club Sapphire the Down South Jazz Club has pleasure in presenting Canberra band ‘The Leisa Keen Quartet’ featuring John Mackey on reeds, Miroslav Bukovsky on trumpet, Derrick (Noddy) Brassington on drums and led by the lady with the big voice, Leisa Keen, on keyboards and vocals.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Leisa has been working in the Australian music industry for over 25 years in both jazz and musical theatre/cabaret. Since 1990, Leisa has musically directed and performed in over 150 well known and popular shows and her performance in the role of Lucy Harris in the Australian premiere production of Jekyll & Hyde, playing opposite Donald Cant as Jekyll/Hyde, led to her winning a CAT award for Best Actress in a Musical.
After training in classical piano for 12 years, Leisa went on to study jazz vocals at the Canberra School of Music. She has shared the stage with many internationally acclaimed jazz vocal artists. In her spare time, Leisa performs around Canberra, Sydney and the Gold Coast, takes her various bands to jazz festivals over Australia and also teaches singing and piano.
John Mackey, at age 12, won a classical saxophone scholarship and by 14 he was already performing professionally with some of Perth’s most established jazz musicians. He performed on the Perth’s Young Entertainers at age 17. He was invited to become a member of the Young Australian Jazz Ambassadors in 1988 and continued touring and recording with them for several years, as well as television appearances on Hey Hey It’s Saturday and The Sunday program. John has performed with many legendary international Australian musicians.
Czechoslovakian born Miroslav Bukovsky is one of Australia's leading jazz trumpeters and composer/arrangers, who has been on the staff at the ANU School of Music since 1999. Originally classically trained, he joined various big bands whilst still living in Czechoslovakia. He migrated to Australia in 1968 and soon found a place for himself on the Sydney jazz scene and it wasn't long before he was playing in such groups as the Daly-Wilson Big Band and Bob Bertle's Moontrane. He has been teaching at a university level since the mid-seventies. He incorporates aspects from all jazz styles into his playing. He has performed with many Australian groups, bands and orchestras.
Noddy Brassington is one of Australia's most versatile drummers and percussionists. After starting his career in the Australian Army Band at RMC Duntroon, Noddy has gone on to play with many musicians and entertainers such as Dame Shirley Bassey, John English, Normie Row, Grace Knight and many others. He has also musically directed the Blamey Street Big Band and played with Leisa and the Keen Kats on many occasions at the Merimbula Jazz Festival and other leading Australian jazz festivals. A big interest of his is helping youngsters develop their musical talents.
Cost is $15 for jazz club members and $20 for visitors with music commencing at 7.30pm. Bookings can be made with Aileen/Kevin Walsh (64959853), at bookings@downsouthjazzclub.org.au , or will be available on the night at the door. The Club Sapphire bistro opens at 6pm with its extensive menu if you would like a meal before the show.