SIT DOWN WITH THE GRADUATES AND FIND OUT WHAT MAKES US TICK!
In this blog post, we all sat down together over a coffee to answer some common questions that we get asked frequently by our various clients and audience members. Hopefully this will give viewers some small insight into the individual musicians that make up Sydney’s favourite wedding and corporate jazz band!
Nic (Vocals & Saxophone)
What has been your career highlight to date?
“I would say my biggest career highlight to date would be releasing an independent album and releasing it to a full house audience at the Basement! But geez… that was 2011!! Time for a new album… perhaps with ‘The Graduates’ this time?”
Who are your biggest musical influences?
“I’m really influenced by Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra and Donny Hathaway vocally, to name just a few. However, I love so many styles and so many artists it would be difficult to list them all here! Good music in any style that has heart and soul to it will always grab me…”
What is the most memorable thing that’s ever happened on a gig?
“The most memorable thing that’s ever happened to me on a gig, was a monsoon (yes, a MONSOON!) hitting the event right as the band started at an outdoor gig on a private beach. Ask me about it when I’m singing for you at your next event, and I’ll gladly share the full story!”
What is the best thing about being a professional musician?
“I think the best thing about being a professional musician is seeing the joy that music brings to people. In the twenty years that I have been performing as a professional musician, I have never tired of seeing peoples’ happy faces when they either just enjoy the sound of what we are doing as a band, or simply enjoy hearing our interpretations of their favourite songs. It’s honestly the best job in the world!”
Marcello (Keyboards & Accordion)
What has been your career highlight to date?
“I’ve been fortunate to work with some amazing artist and musicians in many different settings over the years. One highlight that stands out for me was touring with US soul singer Cody Chesnutt and his band in 2013.”
Who are your biggest musical influences?
“My father, who is also an accomplished musician, exposed me to a lot of classical music and Accordion/world music at a very young age, while Brazilian music had a huge influence on me in my formative years. This progressed into into a deep love of and appreciation for jazz and improvisation.”
What is the most memorable thing that’s ever happened on a gig?
“Oh dear, I have a few of these. One experience that is hard to shake is being punched in the face by a fellow band member on a gig! I should point out that he was a rapper and definitely “had issues”. Peace was eventually made but that was certainly a one off!”
What is the best thing about being a professional musician?
“There are so many things! Our hours are all over the place but also flexible, which gives you great control over your work life and commitments. But most of all, the best things about being a musician is the joy of playing music with others and for the enjoyment of the people!”
Michael (Double & Electric Bass)
What has been your career highlight to date?
“That’s a tough one. Running one of the most successful corporate and wedding jazz bands in Sydney is definitely up there. Along with many memorable live gigs, one of my biggest achievements is releasing my debut jazz album in 2020, titled ‘Blues For Ray’. It featured an equally impressive line-up of jazz musicians and was a tribute to my greatest musical influence, the late Ray Brown.”
Who are your biggest musical influences?
“When I was studying at the Conservatorium of Music, I looked up to the great local bass players and musicians around town. They were responsible for giving me a formal education in jazz, however I was later heavily influenced by the great past American jazz bassists I heard on all the famous recordings such as Paul Chambers, Sam Jones and Oscar Pettiford. My biggest musical influence is of course the late, great, American bassist Ray Brown, who basically wrote the book on jazz bass and influenced generations of bass players to come.”
What is the most memorable thing that’s ever happened on a gig?
“There have been a few memorable experiences, not all of them good! One of the funniest experiences was dealing with an eccentric MC at a wedding we did at Dunbar House. We were booked to play until 9:00pm when the DJ was supposed to take over, however at 9:30pm the speeches were still going and we were yet to perform the couple’s First Dance. I politely went up to the MC and quietly asked how many speeches were left, as the client hadn’t done a run sheet. The MC, having had a bit too much to drink, walked straight up to the Maid Of Honour as she was delivering her speech, and shouted into his microphone, “How much longer are you going to be, because the band has to leave!”. Needless to say he didn’t get a 5-star review!”
What is the best thing about being a professional musician?
“While it comes with years of hard work and persistence, having the opportunity to do what I love is something I’m very grateful for. Along with performing, I’m also heavily involved in music education in Sydney through teaching bass and running ensembles in schools. Passing on my experience and knowledge through teaching is a great balance to getting out there and performing. My advice: if you’re willing to put in the countless hours of practise, it can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding career!”
Steve (Drums & Percussion)
What has been your career highlight to date?
“There’s been so many! The gigs that stand out would have be playing at Glastonbury Festival along with a few various European tours with different international artists.”
Who are your biggest musical influences?
“There’s too many to mention, but a few include famous jazz musicians John Coltrane and Elvin Jones, the one-and-only Stevie Wonder, and drummers Steve Gadd and Chris Dave.”
What is the most memorable thing that’s ever happened on a gig?
“There’s been a few, I think the strangest thing that’s happened on a gig was that it started torrentially raining at a big outdoor gig with full production and lighting and all the gear was completely soaked and damaged…come to think of it, it was the same gig that Nic was on!”
What is the best thing about being a professional musician?
“Simple – being able to share the stage and create music with close friends.”
Dave (Guitars)
What has been your career highlight to date?
“The highlights for me have been presenting my own music with various creative jazz and improvised music projects including my own quartet, the Acronym Orchestra and various other bands.”
Who are your biggest musical influences?
“My biggest musical influences are Jim Hall, Lee Konitz, Miles Davis, Igor Stravinsky, John Scofield, John Abercrombie and John Coltrane. I’ve also been influenced by the many great local teachers I’ve had over the years such as Mike Nock, Craig Scott, Guy Strazz, Jeremy Sawkins and Michael Dolce.”
What is the most memorable thing that’s ever happened on a gig?
“Someone once threw a schooner at a band I was playing in! Don’t worry, it wasn’t The Graduates! Luckily it hit a music stand…needless to say I don’t think they were a jazz fan!”
What is the best thing about being a professional musician?
“That’s obvious – getting to play music with great musicians on a regular basis. There’s nothing better!”
Michael Walder (Manager)