Barnett/Anning/Anderson ( Germany /Aus) + The Wardells (Adel.)

Set 1: The Wardells
Set 2: Shannon Barnett – Barnett / Anning / Anderson (Germany / AUS)

The Wardells

Lauren Henderson – conductor

Sopranos: Ruby Zoontjens, Isobel Richardson, Willow Rist, Lauren Logozzo
Altos: Grace Northam, Amy Harriott, Sienna Vacca, Maisie Aitken

Band:
Ciara Ferguson – piano
Lachlan Durrans – drums

Emerging from South Australia’s prestigious Elder Conservatorium, The Wardells—named in honour of the great Anita Wardell—are a dynamic vocal jazz ensemble comprised of eight exceptional young vocalists. With a passion for innovation and tradition, they deliver an inspiring mix of jazz standards and original works by local and international female composers and arrangers.

Founded in 2025, The Wardells—an SSAA-only jazz choir—pay tribute to the extraordinary career of Anita Wardell, one of Australia’s leading jazz vocalists. The ensemble was established to inspire and showcase Australia’s next generation of female jazz voices, fostering a deep appreciation for jazz and its rich traditions while embodying the spirit of innovation and excellence that Wardell represents.

Anita Wardell, the choir’s namesake, made history as the first vocalist from the Elder Conservatorium to achieve international acclaim, paving the way for future generations of jazz vocalists. Her mastery of improvisation and vocal dexterity earned her recognition both in Australia and abroad.

Wardell’s legacy is reflected in The Wardells’ commitment to pushing musical boundaries while maintaining a deep respect for the traditions of jazz. With a focus on ensemble work and individual artistry, the choir provides a platform for young singers to develop their skills in a collaborative and dynamic environment.

The Wardells’ repertoire spans classic jazz standards to contemporary arrangements, both accompanied and a cappella, showcasing their versatile vocal prowess. Their intricate harmonies and rhythmic grooves allow each member to shine both individually and as part of a unified ensemble.

The Wardells continue to honour Anita Wardell’s enduring influence on the jazz world—celebrating creativity, musicianship, and the power of voice in jazz—ensuring that her spirit lives on through the next generation of jazz performers.

Instagram: instagram.com/thewardells.adl

Shannon Barnett – Barnett / Anning / Anderson (Germany / AUS)

Shannon Barnett – trombone, voice
Sam Anning – bass
Kyrie Anderson – drums

Internationally acclaimed trombonist Shannon Barnett returns to Australia to perform with this new trio of old friends. Currently based in Germany after a stint in New York, Barnett is one of Australia’s most celebrated jazz exports, having performed as a member of the WDR Big Band as well as with a wide range of local and international artists. She joins kindred spirits Sam Anning and Kyrie Anderson for a set of delicate and deep musical explorations.

Shannon Barnett is an Australian trombonist and composer currently based in Cologne, Germany. She first established herself as an important voice on the Australian scene through performances with Vada, The Bamboos, The Vampires, and as a guest with the Andrea Keller Quartet on the 2004 ABC Jazz release Angels and Rascals. Barnett has also appeared with the Australian Art Orchestra, Charlie Haden, Barney McAll’s Mother of Dreams and Secrets featuring Kurt Rosenwinkel, and worked as a multi-instrumentalist and composer with Circus Oz (2009–2010).

In 2010, she released her debut album as leader, Country (Which Way Music), and later attended a workshop at the Banff Centre in Canada, inspiring her move to New York City where she completed a Master of Music degree. While in New York, she performed with Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, Pedro Giraudo, Cyrille Aimée, and the Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra of New York, and was a regular member of the Birdland Big Band.

In early 2014, Barnett relocated to Cologne to join the WDR Big Band, performing with guests including Vince Mendoza, Ron Carter, Joshua Redman, Maria Schneider, and Paquito D’Rivera. Her quartet, featuring Stefan Karl Schmid, David Helm, and Fabian Arends, released Hype (2016, Double Moon/Challenge Records), Bad Lover (2022, Toy Piano Records), and Alive at Loft (2023, klaeng records).

Beyond her trombone work, Barnett has composed and presented Dead Weight (for musicians and fitness studio), released Wolves and Mirrors (for voice, trombone, trumpet, cello, and drums), and debuted as a singer-songwriter with How Much Is the Moon? (June 2025), performed live with the EOS Chamber Orchestra at the Monheim Triennale.

Since April 2019, she has been Professor for Jazz Trombone at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz in Cologne. She received the WDR Jazz Prize for Improvisation (2020) and the German Jazz Prize in the brass instrument category (2022).