Abbey Paige Williams is a Melbourne-based performer, writer and producer celebrated for her versatility, vulnerability and Old Hollywood charm. Her love of storytelling has taken her from the country town of Echuca to some of Australia’s most iconic stages. She is best known for starring as resident leading lady ‘Lady Shimmery’ in Shimmery Burlesque at the Athenaeum Theatre, and for writing, producing and starring in her cabaret shows BOND GIRL and ABBAsolutely Abbey at the Sydney and Melbourne Fringe Festivals.
With three years of musical theatre training behind her, Abbey is an accomplished vocalist whose love of jazz grew from a childhood immersed in golden-age musicals and the timeless sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland and Doris Day. She has performed internationally at Paris’s famous Le Caveau de la Huchette and across Melbourne at Crown Casino, the Melbourne Grand Prix, Chapel Off Chapel and The Paris Cat Jazz Club. She also holds residencies at Smith St Bistrot, Le Bar Supper Club and Angus & Bon.
Alexander Nettelbeck has performed extensively in Australia and internationally with his own groups, The Alexander Nettelbeck Trio and the New Impromptu Quartet, as well as with artists including Vivian Sessoms (New York), Pat Powell, Eric McGrath (Spain/Ireland), Karina Lehman, Vassy, Abbey Paige Williams and Oscar Jimenez.
As a pianist, keyboardist, musical director, soloist and band member, Alexander has recorded numerous albums and singles, with his compositions featured across dance, theatre, radio, film and television, including ABC Jazz, Triple J, SBS and Radio France.
“Few pianists can combine lyricism with a sense of groove the way Alexander Nettelbeck does… his versatility is perfectly displayed in his discography and frequent performances with his trio or quartet.”—Nikos Fotakis, Australian Jazz Net
Andy Horneman is an experienced drummer and percussionist who has studied and performed in Australia and internationally. His work spans jazz, pop, folk, funk, big band and Latin music, with regular performances with Melbourne’s Salvo Big Band and more than five years with Canberra’s Blamey Street Big Band.
Andy has performed with a diverse range of artists and ensembles, including Levi McGrath, The New Impromptu Quartet, Mel Searle, Oscar Jimenez, Tim Neal, Rachel Delgado and Les Gyori. He is also a co-founder of Music Gives Life, an Australian organisation providing music mentoring, instruments and education programs to remote communities in Outback Australia and Ethiopia.
James Shortland is one of Australia’s emerging young double bassists and bandleaders. Originally from Newcastle and later based in Sydney, James now calls Melbourne home, where he has established a reputation for his versatility, curiosity and deep commitment to the jazz tradition.
As both an accompanist and collaborator, James has worked with a wide range of musicians while maintaining a strong focus on his own original music. His compositions, performed across Australia, explore new creative ideas while remaining grounded in the African American jazz tradition. With a growing body of work and distinctive musical voice, James is an emerging presence in the Australian jazz scene.
Paul van Ross is a seasoned performer of extraordinary versatility, with three albums released under his own name and an active career as a performer and recording artist. He has performed internationally across Germany, the United States, Canada, Cuba, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Kuala Lumpur, Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Austria, Laos and Thailand.
Paul has performed and recorded with an impressive array of world-class musicians, including Ari Hoenig, Roy Hargrove, Joe Bataan, Mike Moreno, Itai Kriss, Rob Scheps, Rebecca Barnard and many more. He is also passionate about composing music for his Music Allsorts series, created to educate and inspire young musicians.