Our most popular and enduring stars are Galapagos Duck, a group which has become a household name in Australia having performed in every major city and town around this country. The Duck has also toured extensively throughout the world including England, Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, India, Sri Lanka, China, The Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, New Zealand and the USA and has appeared in many of the most prestigious jazz festivals in the world.

Galapagos Duck appears in the pages of many jazz history books and has received awards both in Australia and internationally. With its unique approach and extraordinarily wide popular appeal this group has had a significant influence on young musicians over the years through its many recordings, volumes of original music scores, performances in night-clubs, in concert halls, on TV, in jazz festivals, in various movies, with dance groups, and in a variety of other settings and also particularly through its frequent school concerts and workshops all over the country and overseas. 

This group is the ideal choice for a corporate function, a jazz festival, a Christmas party, a product launch or for practically any other occasion. On New Years Eve 2003 The Duck performed on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House for the Lord Mayor's New Years Eve Party.  www.galapagosduck.com

Another great performer, enjoying rising popularity, is Trude Aspeling, the sensational South African born singer, who presents an exciting mix of jazz, blues, Gospel, South African music and Reggae. Trude has toured the World and performed in an astounding range of venues and roles, including  featured artist at Ronnie Scotts in London, lead vocalist, actress, dancer, and backup vocalist in the Buddy Holly Story, soloist for UNHCR Conference Canberra, The Rocks World Music Festival, Sydney Festival soloist, "Tribute to Nina Simone" at the Basement, and many many more prestigious appearances. 

"She sang so that the very rafters rang with rejoicing" Fred Blanks SMH review of Virtuosi in the Vestible concert series, Sydney Town Hall.
"The music world has another Sarah Vaughan" - London Press. www.trudeaspeling.com

With a sweeping, effortless four-octave range Nicky Crayson’s voice and musicianship makes an instant impression. Nicky began her career as a teenager and soon found herself working at venues like The Basement (with Galapagos Duck), or the Hilton Hotel, where Tony Bennett while touring Australia, heard her and encouraged her to continue singing jazz.
Nicky has built up an impressive CV, including numerous appearances on television, and at events She has also been in demand as a jazz singing teacher, at Macquarie University, University of Newcastle and Sydney Conservatorium. Nicky also teaches musicianship and music theory.

Nicky's latest CD release 'Daydream' features her arrangements of songs by such great songwriters as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael and Cole Porter.

Nicky now has some 1,000 songs in her repertoire. “I fell in love with jazz because the interpretation of a piece is never the same,” she says.

“Improvisation brings challenge and constant interest to the music and allows each musician to bring their own spirit to the music and the group," she says.

Sydney Morning Herald
"Genuine feel for jazz singing... instinctive ability to choose good songs."

Tony Bennett
"The most original singer I've heard... unforgettable, fantastic."    www.nickycrayson.com

THE SOUNDS OF ray charles
Sensational 20-piece big band  led by Tim Oram including “The Aussie Raelets”  and featuring DOUG PARKINSON soul virtuoso vocalist performing the Ray Charles hits in a breath-taking 1 hour show.

This amazing big band is the creation of Tim Oram who has written the charts for The Sounds of Ray Charles Big Band.  The ensemble features the ‘cream’ of Australian and International jazz musicians including Don Rader (USA who wrote arrangements for Ray Charles), Adrian Cunningham (from Galapagos Duck), and Tony Azzopardi driving the percussion. Hit songs include Georgia, Come Rain or Come Shine, Hit The Road Jack, I Can’t Stop Loving You, What Did I Say, over 20 songs in 60 minutes!!!

    Somewhere After Midnight – Doug Parkinsons’ new album