Doors 5pm
Show 6pm
ELLINGTON SWEET 16 FESTIVAL: SIXTEEN YEARS OF SWEET JAZZ
20th February – 2nd March 2025
“I can add to the list the outstanding showmanship of Australian jazz heroes, Adam Hall & the Velvet Playboys” – Australian stage
“Adam Hall and his exuberant band of brilliant musicians deliver an exhilarating evening of floor filling, joint jumping, jazz-tastic crowd pleasers ranging from Ray Charles to Walt Disney. Consummate musicians, great entertainers, fab night out!” – Ben Elton (Blackadder, We Will Rock You)
Adam Hall is an accomplished Trumpeter, Vocalist and Composer based in Perth, Australia. He studied the craft at Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA.
In his early career Adam played at the Sydney Olympics and was Artist in Residence at Southbridge Jazz Club, Singapore. He has worked with numerous talents such as: James Morrison, Don Burrows, former leader of the Count Basie Orchestra Frank Foster, Shirley Horn’s band, Vanessa Amorosi and Grace Knight, to name just a few. He has performed and recorded with New Orleans Lumineries Jason Marsalis, Maurice ‘Mobetta’ Brown, Wendell Brunious, Ashlin Parker through the Trumpet Mafia association – leading the Australian version of the Trumpet Mafia.
After a journey to Cuba, Adam connected to the remaining members of the Buena Vista Social Club including Barbarito Torres, Mirabal, Rolando Luna, Hugo Garzon (original singer of Chan Chan), Horacio ‘El Negro’ Hernandez and Julito Padron. The Cuban Young Guns project that formed from this association has made numerous tours through Australia.
Adam has made tours all over the world with Highlights being the New Orleans Jazz Festival, Ghentse Feesten (Belgium), Rockin Race Jamboree (with Big Jay McNeely – Spain), Jeremy Monteiros Merry Bebop – A Jazzy Christmas (Singapore), Berne Jazz & Blues Sessions in Switzerland in 2014 with Lillian Boutte and members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, 2015 opened for UB40 and Nile Rodgers, Hong Kong Concert Hall and the Singapore Jazz Festival (Singjazz – opening for David Foster)
Adam Hall features on Bluesin’ The Groove’s 2013 album ‘Mess Around’, which won Blues Album of the Year in Germany and ranked number 5 in the international list.
In 2005 he formed a classic Rhythm & Blues band, ‘Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys’. The band is an institution of the Australian vintage music scene and renowned for its captivating live performances, marked by slick presentation and raw energy. Alongside Adam (Vocals, Trumpet) it features some of Western Australia’s finest musicians, including:
Mark Turner (Guitar)
Anthony Dodos (Trombone)
Bronton Ainsworth (Drums)
Kane Shaw (Double Bass)
Tim Voutas (Keys)
The band’s repertoire is rooted in the Jazz and Rhythm & Blues music of the 40’s and 50’s, from artists such as Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima, Sammy Davis Junior, Harry Connick Junior, Jackie Wilson, Chuck Berry and The Blues Brothers. They also include a large library of Adam Hall originals and unique arrangements, which can be found on their Seven albums:
I’ve Got News For You (2007, feat. Big Jay McNeely)
When It’s Party Time Down South (2011, feat. Richard Jackson and Rick Smith)
It’s You, It’s Me (2012, feat. Jessie Gordon)
The Rhythm Spectacular – The Music of Beyoncé
With You (2016 – full length release)
Satisfied (2018 – feat Richard Jackson)
The Music of Disney (2020)
‘Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys’ was nominated for Best Jazz Act in the 2010 West Australian Music Industry awards, and have been a hit at major festivals and events around Australia: The Narooma Great Southern Blues Festival (NSW), Wintersun(Qld), MLX (VIC), Alice Springs Cup Ball (NT), Fairbridge Folk Festival, Shinju Matsuri Pearl Festival, and Bridgetown Blues (all WA).
In 2008 they toured with legendary US Rhythm & Blues saxophonist Big Jay McNeely and played shows with legends Syl Johnson and Betty Harris and opened for artists such as UB40 and Nile Rogers.
As Louis Prima said: “We just want to play pretty music for the people.”
‘Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys’ CD’s are available on iTunes and CD Baby, at any of their live gigs, online at www.adamhall.com.au or via email: adam@adamhall.com.au.
