by CCEntertainment | Jul 4, 2015 | Current Show, Past Shows, Performers
Charlotte first started playing the cello after her move from New Zealand to Sydney as a young child. Her studies at the Conservatorium of Music Sydney were followed by postgraduate study in Moscow and the UK. In 2005 Charlotte was selected to be one of the first ‘ACO Emerging Artists’ and was a fellow with the orchestra and member of ACO2 for two years. In 2008 her string quartet held an artistic residency at the Banff Arts Centre in Canada where they worked closely with the Schoenberg Quartet. Tours and performances worldwide have taken Charlotte to the UK, Canada, America, Germany, Russia, France, Italy, Finland, Estonia and New Zealand.
Within Australia Charlotte has performed regularly with the Melbourne and Tasmanian Orchestras and performed for audiences including Princess Diana, Prince Charles, and the last three Prime Ministers of Australia. Charlotte and her quartet currently tour, collaborate and perform with Lior and Boy & Bear. She has also shared the stage and recording studio with a wide range of artists including Richard Tognetti, Steven Isserlis, Kolja Blacher, Caroline Almonte, Helen Grimaud, William Barton, Andre Rieu, The Beatnix, Sarah Blasko, John Farnham, Joseph Towadros, Tim Freedman, James Morrison, Marcia Hines, John Paul Young, John Farnham, Jessica Mauboy, Jess Chalker, Ball Park Music, Passenger, and Angus & Julia Stone. When Charlotte isn’t playing on stage she can be found watching/dancing at Coachella or Splendour in the Grass.
by CCEntertainment | Jul 4, 2015 | Current Show, Performers
Rachel Thompson, violinist and violist, has worked in symphony and opera orchestras in New Zealand, Australia and the United States. Since moving to Sydney in 2009 her performance experience has expanded to the rock arena.
CCEntertainment performances that she has been a part of in Sydney include, ‘A Day in the Life’ (The Beatles), ‘Whole Lotta Love’ and ‘Storyline’. Rachel is as comfortable playing in a string backing group for the British band UNKLE, as she is, playing in the pit of the Capitol Theatre for the Paris Opera Ballet Orchestra.
Rachel was trained in the USA. She spent four years in Philadelphia and a post graduate year at the University of Bloomington, Indiana. Rachel was invited to play with a group of string players selected from the prestigious music conservatories of the East Coast USA, who performed at a Christmas concert at Carnegie Hall. As the winner of the New Zealand National Concerto Competition, she performed the Bartok Viola Concerto with the Christchurch Symphony. Rachel has played alongside international artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Kiri Te Kanawa and Diana Krall, as well as a line up of Kiwi talent that includes Anika Moa, Bic Runga, Dave Dobbyn, John Rowles, Shapeshifter, Golden Horse and Fur Patrol.
by CCEntertainment | Jul 4, 2015 | Current Show, Past Shows, Performers
One of Australia’s most highly sought after drummers with an extraordinary ability to cross every conceivable stylistic boundary, gordon brings a unique energy to any performance as both an exciting soloist and a very supportive team player, with a driving, natural feel.
Born in Sydney, 1968, Gordon started playing drums at age 13. Like many young musicians, his initial inspiration came from the raw rock of bands such as Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, however he quickly developed an interest and passion for an extremely broad range of music styles in particular, Jazz. He studied at the NSW Conservatorium of Music during which time he began playing in Mike Nock’s band and later joined The Don Burrows Quartet gaining amazing international touring and performing experience. Between his travel commitments, he quickly established himself as one of Sydney’s busiest freelance musicians performing everywhere from small clubs to studios and concert halls.
Since then, Gordon has worked with the cream of Australia’s Jazz, Pop, Rock, and Country artists and many international acts including, Lalo Schifrin, James Morrison, Bob Mintzer, Leo Sayer, Bob James, Tom Jones, Bob Florence, The Commodores, Bob Geldof, Barry Harris, Nat Adderley, Maria Schnieder, Lee Konitz, Suzie Quatro, Lionel Richie, Glenn Shorrock (from Little River Band), Tina Arena, The Sydney All Star Big Band, Roger Frampton, Bobby Shew, Anthony Warlow, Russell Watson, Rob McConnell, Don Rader, Dale Barlow, Eartha Kitt, Jimmy Barnes and many more.
Gordon spends a lot of time freelancing in various recording studios and can be heard on many movie soundtracks, albums, and television themes. he played five nights a week nationally on Tonight Live with Steve Vizard in the early 1990’s, and was the resident drummer for Australian Idol. He also recorded Anthony Callea’s ‘The Prayer’, which is the highest-ever selling single in Australia by a local artist.
by CCEntertainment | Jul 4, 2015 | Blog, Current Show, Past Shows
New Zealand-born piano virtuoso and composer Charmaine Ford has blazed a trail of awards confirming she is indeed one of New Zealand’s most distinguished musicians. She has also released two self-penned jazz albums, showcasing her extraordinary talent.
Charmaine has played the piano professionally since her mid teens and has been composing since the age of six. At age 19, she was awarded a Travel Grant Scholarship from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) to study in London. There, Charmaine spent three months learning from two of England’s top jazz educators, Nikki Iles and Pete Churchill, while also taking lessons from one of the world’s leading classical pianists, (the late) Professor Yonty Soloman.
Ford has performed and toured extensively throughout Australasia and has appeared on New Zealand National Television several times including ‘Dancing with the Stars’. She has been invited to play at many of New Zealand’s international jazz festivals, as well as performing in concert with ‘The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’. In addition to her staggering list of achievements, Charmaine appears on numerous recordings covering a wide variety of genres.
Since moving from New Zealand to Sydney in 2008, Ford has rapidly become in demand as a performer, educator and session musician. “Nothing could have prepared me for this young pianist’s spell-binding virtuosity” BAY OF PLENTY TIMES, NZ
by CCEntertainment | May 30, 2015 | Current Show, Performers
Prior to establishing CCE, Joseph founded and ran the Tuesday Nite Club at Sydney’s Iguana Bar, where he booked and showcased more than 400 original artists from 1997 to 2003. Since the 1990s he s also been an active professional musician, leading his own ensembles, Akradia and Jazz Nouveau, and collaborating with many notable artists and acts, including ARIA award winning New Zealand singer and songwriter Jenny Morris, and Australia’s Matt Finish, Jeff Duff and the Wayne Cornell Orchestra.
In 2012 Jazz Nouveau released Reminiscing which is a stunning collection of Little River Band songs with a soulful twist. Featuring five guest female vocalists including Emma Pask, Evelyn Duprai, Danielle Blakey, Anthea White and Anita Spring with proceeds from the sale of this CD going to Variety, the Children’s Charity.
