A musical marriage

Two familiar faces will return to Toowoomba for a special appearance at USQ’s Twilight Jazz Recital on 29 June.

Musicians Shannon Lotz (piano) and James Laundon (saxophone), will catch-up with Claire Roberts, Jamie Nuss and Nick Stewart for an appearance in their jazz ensemble, ‘Swing On In’.

Friends since high school, the young couple are now teaching music at the Macquarie Conservatorium in Dubbo.

'James and I met while studying at Harristown High School in Toowoomba. We actually met in the music program; James was a year higher than me, but we saw each other almost every day during band rehearsals.'

Eventually their musical relationship turned into a social relationship, and later a romantic one.

'James likes to boast that when he laid eyes on me, he knew straight away that one day, he would marry me; and here we are engaged and getting married in July back in Toowoomba.'

The couple joined up with fellow ‘Swing On In’ members in the USQ Music Program, appearing regularly in the USQ Big Band and numerous recitals and theatrical productions.

'The thing I love most about our group is that we all get on so well, both professionally and personally; we even holiday together in summer at the coast.'

Double bassist, Claire Roberts now teaches at Centenary Heights; percussionist, Jamie Nuss is a very familiar face on the local music scene, and Nick Stewart (trumpet) is living and working in Brisbane.

'We have all gone our separate ways for now, but we can't wait to perform together again.'

The ensemble will present an evening of traditional jazz standards with a contemporary flavour including favourites such as Bye Bye Blackbird, Fly Me to the Moon, Cute, Mercy Mercy Mercy and That's A Plenty.

'We like the idea of the traditional jazz pieces but with a ‘Swing on In’ twist, incorporating new ideas to give them a fresh feel. But in doing this, we still stay true to the original melody and harmonies; the main difference is the rhythm section's feel and genre which changes the mood of the piece.

'Personally I really enjoy performing our version of Mercy Mercy Mercy which we really funk out! Bye Bye Blackbird is also one of my favourites; Jamie has created an interesting rendition with a few tricky time changes which are quite challenging musically.'

The Twilight Jazz Recital will be presented on Wednesday 29 June at 6pm in the USQ Arts Theatre.

Tickets are $18 adult, $15 concession, $13 student, $8 child and can be purchased through the USQ Artsworx Box Office on 07 4631 1111 or at the door on the night.

This recital is proudly hosted by MECU.