2022 Guest Artist
Vanessa Perica is a composer, arranger, conductor based in Melbourne. Upon completion of her Bachelor degree in 2003 at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, she was awarded the prestigious Bob Wyllie Scholarship for ‘Most Outstanding Graduating Jazz Student.’ Other recipients of this honour include Linda May Han Oh, Mat Jodrell, Ben Vanderwal and Troy Roberts.
Recent career highlights include both national and international recognition. She was a finalist in both the Anonimus Big Band (2018) and ‘Scrivere in Jazz’ International Composition Competitions (2020). She has also appeared at the Sydney, Melbourne and Perth International Jazz Festivals.
In 2019, Vanessa was a recipient of an Australia Council grant to record her debut album with an all-star lineup including Andrea Keller, Julien Wilson, Sam Anning, Mat Jodrell, Ben Vanderwal, Jordan Murray, Carl Mackey, Paul Williamson and Jamie Oehlers. Released in February 2020, the album titled ‘Love is a Temporary Madness’ has been critically acclaimed, reaching as high as number 1 on the AIR Independent charts, and number 3 on the ARIA Jazz & Blues charts.
The album was a nominee in the Australian Music Prize and AIR Awards, and won ‘Best Jazz Album’ at the 2020 Music Victoria Awards.
In February 2021, the ‘Love is a Temporary Madness’ Symphonic Suite was premiered by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Vanessa Perica Orchestra at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
Vanessa was a winner in the 2021 APRA Art Music Awards for her composition ‘Spaccanapoli’, and is a finalist in the upcoming Australian Women in Music Awards.
In November 2021, the Vanessa Perica Orchestra joined forces once again with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for the Melbourne International Jazz Festival’s Opening Night Gala at Hamer Hall. Featuring vocalists Kate Ceberano, Michelle Nicolle, Eddie Perfect and more, they performed compositions and arrangements by Vanessa and Chris Crenshaw (Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York).
“...there's "a new sheriff in town," she's packing heat, and you'd best listen carefully to what she has to say.” 4.5 stars - Jack Bowers, All About Jazz
2021 Guest Artist
Originally from London, Alto Saxophonist/Composer Will Vinson moved to New York City in 1999 and has cemented his international reputation as a leader and sideman. During his time in NYC, he appeared and/or recorded with Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ari Hoenig, Marcus Gilmore, Chris Potter, Kurt Elling, Lage Lund, Aaron Parks, and many others. Will is a member of a number of leading ensembles, including pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba’s Quartet, Ari Hoenig’s Punk Bop and Nonet, Miguel Zenon’s Identities Orchestra, and his own groups featuring, among others, Lage Lund, Jeff Ballard, Aaron Parks, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Shai Maestro and Mike Moreno. In 2012, along with bassist Orlando le Fleming and guitarist Lage Lund, he formed the critically acclaimed OWL Trio, whose eponymous debut in 2013 was hailed by critics and listeners alike.
Will’s saxophone playing is executed with incredible power and dramatic sensitivity, and is characterised by his imposing sound and technique; influenced by saxophonists from Cannonball to Chris Potter, he nevertheless brings his own unique approach to every performance. Will's writing, and the playing of his colleagues, combines a great respect for the century-long jazz tradition with explorations into the rhythmic, harmonic and melodic realms of contemporary forms.