Every year at Canberräng we aim to provide you with a truly unforgettable four days of social dancing. This year we’re proud to present a talented line-up of international and domestic musicians and DJs!
Andrew Dickeson’s Blue Rhythm Band
A band for dancers from Sydney who set down a steady beat. They do what Basie did in the Savoy Ballroom and play 4 solid beats to the bar and no cheating! Andrew Dickeson and his Blue Rhythm Band have played regularly at swing dance events in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra. A favourite for Canberra dancers, we couldn’t not have them play at our 20th Anniversary!
The Jessie Gordan Swingtet & The Jessie Gordon Slow Burn
Jessie Gordon has been another fan-favourite at Canberräng over the years. She’s belted out swinging jazz for Lindy hoppers and at other times lulled us into a blues wonderland. Jessie is an Australian/American singer and songwriter who brings her love of old world roots music into the 21st century. She has toured the world singing jazz, blues and her original compositions, and she is a multi-award winning performer. Jessie’s confident and effervescent performance style makes her a joy to watch for audiences everywhere. We’re thrilled to have her here with us again and can’t wait to dance to her music!
Kate Wadey Quartet
Kate Wadey will be making her debut appearance at Canberräng this year. Kate’s positively Swinging band will include Andrew Scott on keys, Samuel Dobson on Double Bass and George Greenhill on drums. Kate displays a level of craft that will have you transfixed, leaving you full of joy and happiness, with a song in your heart and on your lips! Kate encapsulates just the right nuance and sincerity bringing new life to these beautiful songs.
Eamon McNelis’ Skellingtons Jazz Band
While Eamon is no stranger to swing dancers, and was here not that long ago with Leigh Barker and Canberrang under the Big Top some years back. We are super excited to feature this line up at Canberrang 2023, led by award-winning trumpeter and singer Eamon McNelis, and featuring the extraordinarily talented Jessie Gordon. The Skellingtons play evocative, swinging tunes from the 1930’s and 1940’s. Repertoire from the catalogues of Billie Holiday, Una Mae Carlisle, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, Hoagy Carmicheal. Eamon McNelis was the 2010 winner of the Wangarratta Jazz Award for Brass, and is known for his work with Flap!, The Big Idiot Club, Jazz Party, The Pearly Shells, Leigh Barker, 1929 Studios and many more. His unique melodic approach to the trumpet has seen him perform at venues and festivals around the world including The Melbourne Lindy Exchange. Eamon is also featured on the theme of the ABC’s Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries series.
DJ Shaz Callaghan
Shaz loves all kinds of music. She loves the kind that makes you holler, tap your feet, shimmy all over, shake what your mama gave you, or shuffle off to Buffalo. For Shaz it doesn’t get better than music and dancing, whether it’s having a boogie in the lounge room or swinging out on a packed ballroom floor in New York City. Shaz is delighted to be back at Canberräng 2023 and we are beyond delighted to have her!
DJ Lauren ‘Loz’ Yee
Loz brings enthusiasm and joie de vivre to her dancing and DJing. She has DJ’d major events in Australia and Internationally, and has been a regular on the local social dance decks for over 10 years. Whether the tunes are slow, sweet, fast or fiery, Loz is a fan of all things swing and it’s her number one goal to keep your toes a’tappin and your fingers snapping.
DJ Trevor Hutchison
An enthusiastic collector of vintage jazz and blues music, Trevor has been DJing swing dance events all around Australia for more than 15 years.
A long-time stalwart of the Perth scene, he has also featured as a guest DJ on Yehoodi Radio (USA), the Herräng Dance Camp (Sweden) and supported legendary sax blower Big Jay McNeely.
Expect to hear an eclectic and joyful mix that leans into gems from the swing era, with both classics and new surprises.
DJ Julia Wharington
Julia started DJing for Swing dancers around 2010, when she noticed how much the DJ’s musical choices influenced her enjoyment of the night. She loves being the one behind the decks, trying to create those moments of joy for the dancers in the room. Depending on the vibe of the night and the mood in the room, she likes to take the crowd on a ride, through various tempos and styles. Her favourite songs usually feature clarinet or piano, or a big fat driving rhythm. She especially has a soft spot for Duke Ellington. Julia is super excited to DJ at Canberräng again, especially for the 20th anniversary edition. Don’t be shy to come over and say hello!
DJ Adam Lachlan
Adam is a Canberra local with a love for swing era jazz music. He believes that seriously good music makes seriously good dancing. He enjoys catchy riffs and a solid rhythm section, and has been known for even dabbling into soul, funk and all-round party bangers. Adam has grown a deeper appreciation for the roots of the music through his vinyl record collecting. You can often find Adam DJing his favourites which include Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Illinois Jacquet.
DJ Richard Arnett
Richard had had his first DJ experience at an end of year party in Canberra several years ago. Nervous at DJing for a ‘big’ event, he was shaking instead of dragging and dropping, triggering songs that were to be played later that evening in the middle of songs people were already dancing to. He quickly found out that sampling swing music in that way is not something that brings out the best styling in dancers!
Moving onwards and upwards, Richard quickly honed his skills and is now a regular amongst Canberra’s talented DJs. He has a knack for keeping the social dance floor jumping, wit DJ appearances at Canberräng 2018 and the Jumptown Jam 2018. As a dancer with a fondness for interesting melodies and quirky lyrics, Richard will play you songs that will bring out your best musicality and theatrical moves. Keep an ear out for his thoughtful and creative sets!