Alexander Nettelbeck Trio + Stella Anning Quartet

The Alexander Nettelbeck Trio are a synergy to be reckoned with. The band has released two albums Trio and Here Today, and a number of singles. Performance highlights include Tuscia In Jazz Italy, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Paris Cat Jazz Club, Bennetts Lane, Revolver Upstairs, Castlemaine Theatre, Melbourne Recital Centre and Piwinica Pod Baranami Jazz Festival, Poland.

For their debut performance at the Count’s the trio will perform new material from their forthcoming album Back Home, a groove laden excursion into Electric Future Funk, Afro Beat, Soul Jazz, and Cinematic Dub Rock.

“Few pianists can combine lyricism with a sense of groove the way that Alexander Nettelbeck does – which partly explains the seemingly effortless way that he can shift from ‘straight’ jazz to classical to reggae to R’n’B to every genre and sub-genre, really. This versatility is perfectly displayed in his discography – his latest trio album, Here Today is a must-have for anyone interested in compact arrangements, percussive piano sound and creative interplay – as well as in his frequent performances with his trio or his Quartet”, Nikos Fotakis, Australian jazz Net

“Brilliant, individually and collectively”, Ann Creber, Radio 3MDR

Stella Anning Quartet

Electric guitars, jazz-school chord changes and alt-rock all live under the same roof for the Jazz/Soul group from Naarm. The band is made up of guitarist/vocalist Stella Anning she/her (John Flanagan Band, ISEULA, Women of Soul, Jazzlab Orchestra), keys player Selene Messinis (SOLUNE, Nikodimos, NO ZU), bassist Richard Rose he/him (Black Jesus Experience, Larry Crestani and The Standing Circle) and drummer Kyrie Anderson she/her (Sam Anning, The Maes, Andrea Keller).

2024 has been a pivotal year for the band, with the addition of vocals and keys, Stella has written an immense number of new compositions that have been extremely well received by audiences, expanding the sonic possibilities and depth to her music. Lyrics about her experiences as a woman, with all of the tribulations that come with that, are a strong theme in Stella’s songs and Stella has received a somewhat cult following from women, with her audacious telecaster sound and her soulful voice, it’s a real slap in the face to the patriarchy.

Stella has performed their original music over West at The Ellington Jazz Club, in Warrane/Sydney at Lazybones Lounge and in hometown Naarm, they have performed for Northcote RISE Festival (2024) Castlemaine Jazz Festival (2024), the Melbourne International Jazz Festival (2023), the Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival (2022) plus many local venues.

The band released an EP at the end of 2022; from a gritty comedic jazz rock bop about Stella’s cat, to an introspective soul/rock- ballad about her newborn, the EP was met with much enthusiasm. The band will be releasing a new album expected at the end of 2024.