Jodie Michael/ Russ Spiegel (US)

⭐️ A graduate of Berklee College of Music’s Global Jazz Masters program, Jodie Michael started playing drums as a teenager & studied at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music. She studied in New York with world-class drummers Michael Carvin, Eric Harland, Bernard Purdie &  Billy Hart, & has played with Australian jazz/ contemporary musicians including James Muller, James Morrison, Dale Barlow, Katie Noonan, Bobby Gebert, Carl Dewhurst & Matt McMahon.

Jodie is the recipient of the 2013 Jann Rutherford Memorial Award & performed with US musicians Camille Thurman & Mimi Jones at the 2015 Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival. 

⭐️ Russ Spiegel is a composer & arranger, as well as a highly respected international guitarist, bandleader, writer, musicologist & award-winning sound engineer.

Russ spent more than a decade living & performing in Europe before returning to the US to settle in New York. Once there, he quickly became an established member of the city’s jazz scene. He earned his master’s degree in jazz performance at the City College of New York under the aegis of John Patitucci before going on to receive his doctorate in Jazz Composition at the University of Miami Frost School of Music as a Henry Mancini Institute Fellow.  

He has released several CDs, scored music for film,& performs & leads masterclasses, workshops & seminars around the world. 

Russ currently teaches at Florida International University & Barry University.

This evening will feature original compositions & arrangements from Russ with this handpicked group of top Sydney players.

"Channeling the spirited energy of hard bop with the progressive aesthetics of rock music, Spiegel carves out his own niche in the contemporary jazz scene."  Troy Collins, All About Jazz

"Spiegel plays with a clear, bright sound & his solos reveal a sure-footed rhythmic instinct & a harmonic sense which may be rooted in bebop, but which also leans towards the future."  Charles Alexander, Jazzwise (London)

"Intellectual to the core, melodic & elegant, Spiegel's music will engage & challenge you at the same time." Ed Blanco, EJazzNews

"A killer guitarist that’s simply welcome all over the world, Spiegel lays it down without pretense or drama & lets his clean lines & solid playing provide all the drama & dynamic tension non-smooth jazz should have, even when he’s playing it light & easy. A tasty cat you should definitely get to know." Chris Spector, Midwest Record

"The scorching solos…drew applause every single time." Arhan Sett, Times of India

⭐️ Russ Spiegel - guitar & compositions

⭐️ Andrew Crago - alto sax

⭐️ Barney Wakeford - organ

⭐️ Jodie Michael - drums

LIMITED TIX $32 includes venue entry + $10 bar tab

Doors from 7pm

NSW Parenting Vouchers Accepted!

**We are a COVID-safe venue. Entry is subject to prevailing health orders**

In proud partnership with Live Music Australia - an Australian Government initiative