James Morrison is, by anybody's standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word. An Australian jazz icon and Basement regular, he is an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist playing trumpet most notably but also trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, double bass and piano.

James Morrison is, by anybody's standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word.

Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, double bass and piano.

At the age of seven, he was given his first instrument, at nine he formed his first band and at thirteen he was playing professionally in nightclubs. His international career developed just as quickly. At only age 16 James debuted in the USA with a breathtaking concert at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Following this were performances at the big festivals in Europe including Montreaux, Pori, North Sea, Nice and Bern - playing with many of the legends of jazz. Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Woody Shaw, Red Rodney, George Benson, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Ray Brown and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. There were also gigs in the worlds most famous jazz clubs - The Blue Note and Village Vanguard in New York, the New Morning in Paris and Ronnie Scotts in London.

Now 49, James Morrison's career thus far has been diverse and perhaps not typical of most jazz musicians. He recorded Jazz Meets the Symphony with The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lalo Schifrin, performed concerts at the Royal Albert hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for Princess Anne. Royal command performances on two occasions for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and for US Presidents Bush & Clinton at Parliament House in Australia. In 1997, James was recognized for his service to the arts in Australia and awarded a medal of The Order of Australia..

James was also the artistic advisor to the Sydney Symphony's "Kaleidoscope" series, which has included performances by Chick Corea, Dianne Reeves, Gary Burton and Kristjan Jarvi.

He spends much time in education, doing master classes and workshops in many countries and presenting the James Morrison Jazz Scholarship at Generations in Jazz.

An avid user of the latest technologies James is very involved in furthering the presence of jazz and music education on the Internet and also uses computers extensively in his writing, recording and performances.

When not writing film scores, composing or being patron of several youth orchestras, James relaxes in some fairly unconventional ways for a musician - flying his private plane or driving in a rally championship. His love of cars is well known, as he was a host on the TV program Top Gear Australia.

With interests so broad and a career so filled with highlights it seems that James must have done just about everything he could want to do - but not so...

When asked, What is there left to do? The typically 'James' reply is "This is just the warm up!"

Carl Risely is respected throughout the music industry for sticking to his guns during his time on Australian Idol by staying true to his original big-band style, persistence has paid off "Swing King" Carl Riseley, as he swings into 2012. Born on the Gold Coast in 1982, Riseley has been a jazz-man ever since he was big enough to hold his first instrument - and first love - the cornet. He continued playing the cornet until the age of sixteen, when he found his true calling in the trumpet.

It was as a trumpeter that Carl first entered The Royal Australian Navy band in April 2003. The experience of playing in everything from the Concert Band to the Jazz Quartet broadened the young player's musical horizons, strengthening his versatility and skills as a musician.

This versatile nature is how Carl ended up falling into singing, when in late 2003 the Navy Rock Band were deployed on the HMAS Tobruk on tour around Asia & Australia, and found themselves in need of a singer. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Carl decided to try his hand at singing for the first time - and he has never looked back.

During his time with the Royal Australian Navy, Carl journeyed through some amazing and life-changing experiences, including deployment in the Solomon Islands, and most notably playing for the troops on New Years Eve in 2004 & 2005 over in Iraq. "Watching our Australian troops edge a smile on their face
while forgetting about what they were involved in, even if it was just for an hour
as we played for them - was one of the best moments in my life."

Though still relatively new to the world of singing, in 2007 Carl decided to give the Australian Idol auditions a crack. Says Carl of his reasons for auditioning: "Ha! Besides the fact that my parents had been begging me to audition for years, the reason I auditioned was because I lost a bet with a mate and had to walk in and play out my part!"

There was a mixed response by judges to his audition, aside from Marcia Hines who immediately saw Carl's potential. "You have chops," she told him. Marcia was proved justified in pushing him through to the Top 100, where he thrived, and continued to improve every week. By the time he made it through to
the Wildcard round his dazzling swing-style performance of The Everly Brothers' "Bye Bye Love" he had won everyone over, and the judges placed him in the Top 12.

"I'm a trumpet player, I've been doing it since I could walk," he says of making it into the Top 12. "I can't believe I'm here." Carl went on to make it right through to the final three in the show, and was a public favourite throughout.

Hailed as the next Harry Connick Jnr, there is no argument that the future is bright for this young and incredibly talented musician.

Riseley signed a recording contract with Universal Music Australia, which released his full-length album debut, "The Rise", in 2008. A Top Five hit on the Australian album charts, the CD reflects his passion for big-band swing music and includes performances of well-known songs including "This Guy's in Love with You" and "The Girl from Ipanema".

His second album entitled "The Stillest Hour", debuted as the number one jazz album on the Australian Aria charts.

Carl is currently flying and performing full time (not always separately).  Every now and then he finds space in his life for passionate students.

TICKETING INFO
Dinner & Show tickets include entry, seating and shared platters.

Dinner & Show tickets are only available via Moshtix.

Some Dinner & Show Bookings may be on a shared table. Please let us know at the time of the booking as a special request should you prefer not to share, and subject to availability we'll do our best to accommodate your request.

DOORS OPEN AT 7.30PM
MUSIC STARTS AFTER DINNER SERVICE, AROUND 9.30PM

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
When General Admission Ticket sales have closed on the day of the show they may still be available at the door on the night.

All patrons must be over the age of 18

Once purchased tickets are non-refundable & non-transferable
(applies to both Standing and Dinner sales)

Please ensure you bring photo ID as proof of age

A booking fee applies to all advance tickets. (All quoted prices include tax).

Dress is Smart/Casual at Manager's discretion. No thongs.

RESTAURANT OPENING TIMES
Mon to Fri: Lunch from midday to 2.00pm, Dinner from 7.30pm.
Sat & Sun: Dinner from 7.30pm
Bistro: Open til late for the best light meals, late night suppers and coffees in town.

SEATING MAP FOR DINNER & SHOW BOOKINGS