WA Jazz Directory

Libby Hammer is one of Perth's premier jazz vocalists.

With a background in musical theatre and circus, along with five years of music study and 16 years of music industry experience, she has developed a solid reputation in Western Australia as an accomplished jazz singer, bandleader and vocal coach.

In 1996, while still studying, Libby and three of her fellow students formed a quartet which they called Hip Mo' Toast (Hip because it's cool, Mo' because you get more for your money and Toast because everybody loves toast!). Over the years Hip Mo' Toast matured and grew in to an outstanding collective of Perth's best jazz musicians, performing in ensembles ranging from a trio to a big band, all led by Libby herself.
Hip Mo' Toast has performed thousands of concerts since 1996, including touring to the eastern states of Australia on two occasions, performing at the Villa Celimontana Jazz Festival in Italy in 2006 and for a royal wedding in Singapore in 2007. Hip Mo’ Toast has made four CD recordings and in 2006 won its sixth consecutive Western Australian Music Industry Association award for Most Popular Original Jazz Act.

As well as having composed original songs for Hip Mo' Toast recordings, in August 2006 Libby completed her first commissioned work ‘The Glade’ for New Music For The Southern Forests. In her own right, Libby has performed with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and alongside such Australian jazz icons as James Morrison and Joe Chindamo. She has worked with international jazz artists such as Josh Hilberman (USA), Christoph Spendel (Germany) and two - time Grammy Winner Gary Bartz (USA).

Libby was a key member of the Perth Jazz Society committee from 1992 until 2006 and in 2005 won the PJS Award for Most Outstanding Individual Contribution To Jazz. In 2007 she won another PJS award - Life Membership for Outstanding Long - Term Contribution to Jazz. She is proud to be Patron of Jazz Fremantle. Libby regularly adjudicates eisteddfods and singing competitions and is sought after for her professional development workshops. She has taught jazz at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, and currently teaches singing at two of Perth's leading private schools.

Upright and electric bassist and composer Nick Abbey has become an integral fixture of the jazz and contemporary music scenes in WA since arriving from Melbourne in 2006.

As a performer, Nick has appeared with the likes of international luminaries George Garzone, John Scofield, Paul Bollenback, Alex Norris, Jim Pugh, Howard Levy, and Troy Roberts, as well as local legends Paul Grabowsky, Jamie Oehlers, James Morrison, and Graham Lyall. Aside from his main ensemble TRISK, Nick is also currently an active member of Abbey|Foster|Falle, Det Nopsus, Libby Hammer Quintet, Hammer 9, Johannes Luebbers Dectet, Paul Grabowsky's Perth Sextet, and The Fix, amongst others.

Nick's compositions have repeatedly drawn accolades, including the recently announced award of the WA Music Industry's Jazz Song of the Year 2014 for a new TRISK tune entitled Charon. This is Nick's third consecutive receipt of this accolade, with tracks from Abbey|Foster|Falle's Brotherhood album previously taking it out in 2012 (Maelstrom) and 2013 (Avina).

Nick has toured nationally and internationally (including Singapore, China, France, and Italy), has featured on over a dozen recording projects, and has recently commenced Ph.D studies at the WA Academy of Performing Arts, focusing on rhythm and extended techniques of the upright bass.

Keep up to date with Nick at www.triskmusic.com!

Active as a professional musician for over 20 years, Pete graduated from the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (W.A.A.P.A.) in 1997 with a Bachelor of Music (Jazz) and is an in-demand bassist performing regularly in a wide range of styles on both Double Bass and Electric Bass Guitar.

Pete has performed extensively throughout Australia and also in India, China, the U.K, Italy, Singapore, Japan, the U.S.A and New Zealand and he has performed with many well known artists including Michel Legrand, Hank Marvin, Mark Murphy, Geoffrey Keezer, George Garzone, Leo Sayer, Carmen Lundy, Andy Sheppard, Gary Bartz, Walter Smith III, Karrin Allyson and James Morrison to name only a few.

Currently a member of the highly acclaimed Tom O’Halloran Trio, Pete is also bassist for the Perth ensemble “Memory of Elements” (MOE) which launched it’s debut album and toured Australia in 2011 including performances at the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues. MOE recently released it’s second album “Now Noise” composed by the group’s pianist Tom O’Halloran. Pete is also a member of the gyspy jazz groups “Belleville” and “Sassafras” and he has been a member of many other perth-based jazz groups including “Michael Pigneguy Sextet” and “The Perth Jazz Orchestra”. Pete has also led/co-led a number of groups including “Thrust” (funk-jazz) “Salamander” (jazz & electronic music) “Frames of Minds” (modern jazz) and continues to lead jazz groups under his own name ranging in size from trio to quintet.

An avid composer, Pete has written numerous original works including commissions for the Nuevo Tango group ‘Guapo’, Southern Forests Arts and also JAZZWA (the 26th Parallel Suite - written for 20 piece ensemble) and he has won WAMi awards for jazz composition. Pete also writes for his own groups/projects including the Pete Jeavons Quintet.

Named the Perth Jazz Society’s most outstanding contributor in the year 2011 (and previously in 2000 too), Pete was also a finalist in the 2008 National Jazz Bass Awards. Despite maintaining a busy schedule as a freelance musician Pete has been a driving force in the not-for-profit arts organization “JAZZWA” for 17 years, in various roles including Project Manager, General Manager, and currently Treasurer. As a Project Manager for JAZZWA Pete has produced six volumes of the Jazzaziz Compilation CD for JAZZWA (which features original contemporary jazz from various Perth jazz groups) and organized countless performances, tours and jam sessions for JAZZWA. Pete also runs the annual JazzNOW! Jazzcamp for JAZZWA, designed to educate young jazz musicians.

Pete also teaches bass at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (W.A.A.P.A.), and is a presenter of the ‘Giant Steps’ contemporary jazz program on community radio station RTR-FM 92.1.

Recognised as one of the strongest jazz courses in the southern hemisphere, the WAAPA Jazz Performance major produces many nationally and internationally renowned jazz musicians. The strength of the major lies in the focus on performance outcomes, and all educational units are based around developing these skills. Students have the option of pursuing a performance or arranging stream in their final year, culminating in a professional recital.

All students participate in many varied ensembles, from big bands to jazz trios and everything in between. The major also has a visiting artist program that is second to none, and prides itself on the depth of professional knowledge that is on offer to students year round.

Recognised as one of the strongest jazz courses in the southern hemisphere, WAAPA Jazz produces many nationally and internationally renowned jazz musicians.

WAAPA Jazz faculty members include:
Chris Tarr (drums)
Fred Grigson (guitar)
Jamie Oehlers (saxophone)
Jeremy Greig (trombone)
Paul Pooley (bass)
Ric Eastman (drums)
Tom O'Halloran (piano)
Victoria Newton (voice)

For the Jazz performance schedule at WAAPA visit: www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances-and-events/performances/music/jazz