2024 ARTISTS

Alexander Flood

Co-presented by The Lab at ILA 

One of Australia’s commanding beat-masters, Alex possesses a finessed arsenal of groove, power, and expertise on the drums. Leading his band from the drum chair, Alex’s original music pushes a fresh rhythmic and dynamic realm of live dance music leaning on nu-jazz, deep-house, broken beat, DnB, UK Garage, and experimental sounds.

In 2020, Alex released his debut album Heartbeat (US label Stretch Music), followed by The Space Between in 2022. While touring Europe with 6x GRAMMY nominee Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah’s band, he recorded his third album Oscillate (Jakarta Records) in Berlin with an all-star line-up of Horatio Luna, Àbáse, and Paulo Cedraz, released in May 2023. He received the Robert Stigwood Fellowship and the prestigious Young Achiever Award at the Ruby Awards in 2023.

Alex is currently working on his fourth album, featuring Naarm/Melbourne-based flautist Erica Tucceri who has just been announced Melbourne International Jazz Festival’s 2024 Take Note Jazz Leader. Erica joins the line-up for this unmissable gig at The Lab, which will preview some of Alex’s new material. Be quick – limited capacity, tickets will sell out fast.

Lauren Henderson & Chelsea Lee

Witness not just one but two of South Australia’s finest vocalists as they celebrate the art of bebop and vocalese. Accompanied by a stellar line-up of jazz and bebop musicians, get ready for some toe-tappin’ fresh arrangements of classic standards and original compositions.

Lauren Henderson is a vocalist, composer, educator and a certified Estill Master Trainer. A versatile musician known for her eclectic tastes, Lauren has worked with internationally acclaimed artists such as Moonchild, Jazzmeia Horn, Joe Chindamo, Robyn Archer and The Lost and Found Orchestra (creators of STOMP!). In 2019, her band Boomskully released their debut EP. Lauren’s accolades include National Jazz Awards winner – voice (2020), finalist in the Theolonius Monk Competition for jazz voice (2015), Helpmann Academy Award for Voice winner (2013) and winner of the Downbeat Student Music Award (2013).

Matthew Sheens

Presented by Elder Conservatorium of Music, The University of Adelaide

Returning to Elder Hall from New York to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Elder Conservatorium of Music, Matthew Sheens is one of the Con’s most successful jazz graduates. He completed his Bachelor of Music in 2008 (with Honours) and was awarded the Adelaide University Medal for Excellence in the Humanities. Sheens later completed a Masters in Music Performance at Boston’s New England Conservatory on scholarship in 2010 then made New York City his home. He has performed at festivals across the globe and received accolades such as Australian Jazz Work of the Year at the APRA Art Awards. His works have been performed by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Czech National Symphony, Prague.

Tradelaide 

Tradelaide is a six-piece traditional jazz ensemble that was formed in 2017 by a group of friends for a high school research project. From these humble beginnings, they have now grown to regularly perform their joyful reimaginings of both classic tunes and hidden gems at the Southern Jazz Club and the South Coast Jazz Festival. Members of Tradelaide have recently played at WOMADelaide, and with artists including Tina Arena, Vanessa Perica and Paul Grabowsky; two are in the 2024 Australian National Jazz Orchestra; and all are regular performers in the Adelaide jazz and original music scene.

They’ll be presenting two sets of trad favourites for your toe-tappin’ pleasure!

Thomas Voss Big Band 

UNESCO International Jazz Day Concert – Tuesday 30 April

Presented by Adelaide Festival Centre

Thomas Voss, a distinguished trombonist and composer from Adelaide, has made notable contributions to jazz as an educator and performer. Since graduating from the Elder Conservatorium, he’s led his big band, collaborated with artists like Vanessa Perica and Kate Ceberano, and graced stages at major jazz festivals across Australia. Recognised for his talent, Thomas was the first Australian to win the International Trombone Association’s Carl Fontana Jazz Competition in 2017, received nominations for the 2022 Freedman Jazz Fellowship, and was a finalist for a South Australian Music Award. As a sought-after composer, he’s been involved with Creative Original Music Adelaide, the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra, and JazzSA, showcasing his significant impact on the jazz community.

Ciara Louise Ferguson Trio

Ciara Louise Ferguson presents ethereal, folky jazz inspired by the beauty of the natural world:  two sets of original music intertwined with unique arrangements of traditional Scottish songs. Ciara recently recorded River Walks, which has been featured on ABC Jazz’s ‘The Dinner Set’ with Monica Trapaga, who described it as “beautiful… a stunning album”. She also recorded with Soylent Green, with whom she performed at Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues in 2022; and the ABC Jazz Commission Where Emus Roam the Streets. She has been a pianist, backing vocalist, and/or vibraphonist for artists including Tina Arena, Lior, Paul Grabowsky, Thando and Wendy Matthews; and performed at WOMAdelaide 2024 as a backing vocalist for AURUS. Ciara graduated with First Class Honours in Jazz Performance (Piano) from the University of Adelaide in 2021, where she also won the 2019 Helpmann Academy Award for Top Piano Undergraduate.

Sauce Code

 Sauce Code utilises the influences of jazz, hip-hop, funk and other forms of contemporary and beat-based music to craft a unique sonic identity.

Formed to showcase their original music through the Creative Original Music Adelaide (COMA) Emerging Artist Program in 2021, Sauce Code is a South Australian group dedicated to celebrating the confluence of inter-genre explorations and musical experiences provided by each of their members to form a new take on contemporary music.

Late Night Jazz Jam

We have a fresh line-up of Adelaide’s finest muso’s hosting this year’s Late Night Jazz Jam.

This event sold out fast last year and was an absolute banger of an evening, so be quick to snag a ticket!

Note: this gig is standing only, but seating is available in other areas of the venue.

Alex Taylor – trombone

Dave McEvoy – keys

Lyndon Gray  – bass

Jack Barton – drums

Atlantic Street Band

Free second line parade!

Photo: White Parrot Photography and Film

Come join in the fun at this free event: a New Orleans-style second line parade. The first line, or main line is the brass band; the ‘second line’ is anyone who wants to follow the music, dance and create some community spirit.

Atlantic Street Band love a second line and are set to get the crowd dancing as they perform through Rundle Mall. This group of seasoned musicians blend the energetic sound of traditional Dixieland jazz with an eclectic mix of styles.

The second line starts from the King William Street end of Rundle Mall, 12pm Saturday.

Troy J Been

DJ

With a sound rooted deep in soul and jazz music, Troy’s selections encompass everything from hip hop to house, Brazilian, disco and broken beats. The busiest DJ in the city, Troy has played alongside some of electronic music’s most influential names.

In addition to DJing, Troy has released music as The Sweet Fantastic, was General Manager of electronic music radio station Fresh 92.7 for 10 years, Chair of the Music Industry Council and Director of Music SA.

Troy supports Alexander Flood at The Lab, spinning grooves before and after the live performance.