Brisbane Jazz Club - 18 September 2025
After many gigs at the Sunhine Coast since the band's formation in 2020, the Tropical Dance Sextet are back at the Brisbane Jazz Club on Thursday evening, 18 September 2025, 7:30 - 10pm.
and ... the following week
The Majestic Theatre, Pomona - 25 September 2025
posted by Peter F | 23:00
Following tropical cyclone Albert's intervention in March this year, here's a reminder that the Tropical Dance Sextet will be re-appearing at Foco Nuevo, 31 Arras Street, Yeronga, on Friday evening 4 July 2025 from 6pm.
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If you haven't been to Foco Nuevo ... it's great!It's run by Sue and Lachlan of Jumping Fences, and it's outside, which makes the sound clean, crisp and clear. You'll need to dress warmly, but you'll be with warm people, so it'll all go together for a fun night.Click here for tickets and more details ...The Tropical Dance Sextet will be playing songs from their recently-released second album Chin, Chin, as well as some wonderful new material from France and Brazil.
There'll be snacks, hot drinks and quite possibly some hot mulled wine available to warm your heart.
posted by Peter F | 03:39
A great gig at the Jazz & Blues Collective, Maroochydore, on Sunday 1 June 2025.
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posted by Peter F | 18:26
Following the release of their new album Chin, Chin, the Tropical Dance Sextet embark on a mission to celebrate their album songs for a great Jazz & Blues Collective audience. Hear wonderful new material from France, Italy, Alaska, Mexico, Brazil and UK, each song a classic with its own musical fascination.
The band performs in an irresistible, fun way with accomplished performers Grace Rigby (vocals), Eddie Gazani (vocals/guitar), Kay Sullivan (accordion), Roberto Fontana (trumpet), Nico Iaia (vocals/percussion) and Peter Freeman (bass).
Nico hails originally from Brindisi, Italy. He plays percussion, guitar and sings in a deep, gritty, spoken style reminiscent of quintessential Italian singer Paulo Conte. Having performed on prime-time Italian TV as singer in many Italian talent TV shows, Nico’s love for music and for mixing different musical cultures inspired him to travel the world where he played his music in the animated streets of Italy and Spain.
Peter is the bass player/orchestrator for the band. He shares a love of latin-inspired music, particularly the music of Brazilian Antônio Carlos Jobim about whom he has published a book. Peter is particularly attracted to songs with strong melodies and captivating rhythms.
Grace is a delight. She sings with her
eyes. A past student in music theatre with Irene Bartlett at the Queensland
Conservatorium of Music, Grace has gone on to become the featured vocalist for the
Tropical Dance Sextet, the UQ BIG BAND, the Braben Jenner Hot
Five, and her own Grace Rigby and the Straight A’s.
Eddie was born in Rio de Janeiro and raised in Italy. A master of the Brazilian “sete cordas” seven string guitar, he plays many Brazilian musical styles such as choro, forro, samba and bossa nova. He also shares a love of Italian, French and Spanish song and is a talented singer/songwriter.
Roberto is in great demand as a trumpet player
in many bands in South-East Queensland such as the Gypsy Cats, Slips
and the FWs and Gypsy Adventures. Roberto has an eclectic taste in
music and draws his influence from a range of cultures and genres, though he
especially appreciates Latin and Jazz music.
Kay has a distinguished background in gypsy jazz being one half of the duo Paris Dreaming with the late Ewan MacKenzie, and the accordionist in the five-piece band Swing Manouche. She has played with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and is a sought-after caller/player for local bush dances.
posted by Peter F | 19:50
Chin, Chin, the Tropical Dance Sextet's latest album has its Brisbane release at Foco Nuevo on Friday evening 7 March 2025, 6:30pm.
Recorded at Fruit Bat Studios in June 2024, the album features 14 tracks of wonderful music from Brazil, Italy, and Mexico with some inventive takes of great jazz classics.
Hear new songs by Natalia Lafourcade, Halie Loren, and Stacey Kent, as well as classics by Michel Legrand, Sting, Peggy Lee and Jobim.
The Tropical Dance Sextet is Grace Rigby (vocals), Kay Sullivan (accordion), Eddie Gazani (guitar/vocals), Roberto Fontana (trumpet), Nico Iaia (percussion/vocals) and Peter Freeman (bass).
Hope to see you at the Brisbane album launch.
Friday evening 7 March 2025, 6:30pm
Foco Nuevo
31 Arras St
Yeronga
0400 743 128
in.music@live.com
posted by Peter F | 03:22
Back to the wonderful Majestic Theatre, Pomona in 2023.
Catch the Tropical Dance Sextet with the best songs from Italy, Brazil and beyond.
Thursday 28 September 2023, 1:00pm - 3:30pm.
Tickets: https://www.themajestictheatre.com.au/whats-on-new-events
posted by Peter F | 02:35
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Rome to Rio – wonderful music from Italy and Brazil
The Tropical
Dance Sextet presents Rome to Rio, an exploration of the
fascinating musical alchemy between Italy and Brazil. Delightful melodies,
great arrangements and superb performances by some of Brisbane’s best jazz
musicians.
Having performed recently to sell-out crowds at the Brisbane
Jazz Club and the Jazz Sessions at Forest Glen, the Tropical
Dance Sextet are now bringing their show to the magnificent Majestic
Theatre at Pomona for the Noosa Jazz Club. Their Rome to Rio show will
present some of the most popular and appealing songs by artists such as Ennio
Morricone, Vinicius de Moraes, Ary Barroso, Paolo Conte, Bruno Martino, Walter
Malgoni, Henry Mancini, Francesco de Gregori, Luiz Bonfá, Antônio Carlos Jobim,
Pink Martini and more ...
Enjoy the sounds of Italy and Brazil in an afternoon of
wonderful music by the Tropical Dance Sextet at the Majestic
Theatre, Pomona.
WHAT: Rome to Rio; The Tropical
Dance Sextet
WHEN: Tuesday
27 September 2022, 1:30 – 4:30pm
WHERE: Majestic Theatre, 3 Factory Street, Pomona
ENQUIRIES: Noosa Jazz Club - Ph: 0478 256 245
TICKETS: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=958644&
Watch the Tropical Dance Sextet performing "Aspettami" from their Rome to Rio show.
posted by Peter F | 05:23
Coming to the Sunshine Coast - 5 June 2022
The two most-recorded songs ever are the
Beatles "Yesterday" and Antônio Carlos (Tom) Jobim's "Girl from
Ipanema".
Discover why - when you hear your favourite songs as originally orchestrated by "The Fifth Beatle", George Martin, together with some of Brazil's best and most popular songs arranged by Antônio Carlos (Tom) Jobim. This show will be about wonderful melodies, great arrangements and the musical legacy of these remarkable musicians.
George Martin is often referred to as "The Fifth Beatle" because of his work with John, Paul, George and Ringo. His ability to combine classical music techniques (especially the use of strings) with popular (rock) music of the day transformed the Beatles music into a class of its own.
Antônio Carlos (Tom) Jobim is undoubtedly Brazil's best-known popular music composer/arranger. He was the leading musical force behind "bossa-nova", the Brazilian sound that seduced the world in the 1960s, with songs such as "The Girl from Ipanema", "One-note samba", "Meditation" “Corcovado” and "Wave".
Highlighting the admiration George and Tom had for each other's music, the Tropical Dance Orchestra will play classic Beatles and bossa-nova songs
working from the original arrangements, with occasional improvised twists.
George Martin (left) and Antônio Carlos (Tom) Jobim (right) in Rio 1993.
Jazz & Blues Collective
Millwell Road Community Centre
11 Millwell Road East
Maroochydore
Sunday 5 June 2022
1:30pm - 4:00pm
posted by Peter F | 19:04
posted by Peter F | 20:27
Available from Peter <in.music@live.com>
posted by Peter F | 17:34
A fabulous, sold out, Rome to Rio show with the Tropical Dance Sextet at the Brisbane Jazz Club, Sunday 15 August 2021.
Special guest Marcos Araujo on berimbau.
Watch the live performance of "Berimbau" [click here].
Thanks to Geoff Norris for the great photos.
posted by Peter F | 17:13
Enjoy the sounds of Italy and Brazil in an afternoon of wonderful music played by the Tropical Dance Sextet.
Featuring guitar, accordion, trumpet, percussion, bass and three fabulous vocalists who will together present some of the most popular and appealing songs by artists such as Ennio Morricone, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Ary Barroso, Paolo Conte, Bruno Martino, Walter Malgoni, Henry Mancini, Francesco de Gregori, Pink Martini, and more.
Sunday afternoon, 15 August 2021, 3pm - 6pm
Brisbane Jazz Club on the banks of the Brisbane River.
1 Annie Street, Kangaroo Point
posted by Peter F | 05:45
Brisbane Jazz Club
Thursday 29 October 2020, 7:30 - 10pm
Savour the refined heart of the best music from around the world (Brazil, France, Italy & America) with the Tropical Dance Trio.
Discover wonderful songs from artists such as Tom Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes, Luiz Bonfa, Hermeto Pascoal, Pixinguinha, Henri Salvador, Vincenzo di Paola, Sandra Taccani, Bruno Martino, Pink Martini, Johnny Mercer, Henri Mancini and Dave Ricketts plus originals.
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