SPEEDBALL

Dynamic long-running Australian jazz group Speedball has thrilled audiences

since 2000. Their signature brand of no holds barred, high intensity performances has earned them a reputation as one of the country’s most exciting ensembles.

No strangers to international success, members have found themselves enjoying success across the globe with 4/5ths of the group now residing in Melbourne. Members of the band have performed with heavyweights such as Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Joe Lovano, Chick Corea, Terence Blanchard, Miguel Zenon, Jose James, James Morrison, Sammy Figueroa and Kenny Werner.

The combined accolades of the group’s members are extensive, including a Clifford Brown/Stan Getz fellow, an APRA Professional Development Award, Bell Awards, ARIA nominations, National Jazz Awards, James Morrison Scholarship recipients, and MCA Freedman Fellowship finalists.

After an extended hiatus, 2017 found Speedball back together and finally releasing their debut album, ‘We Have Moved’ to critical acclaim – with Barry O’Sullivan at Jazz and Beyond rating the album 5 stars and describing it as a ‘masterpiece’.

To launch the release, the group played to a sell out crowd at The Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Morrison’s Jazz Club and the Sydney Con International Jazz Festival. The album was a nominee for ‘Best Jazz Album’ in The Age Music Victoria Awards in 2017. This year, the album was nominated for 3 prestigious Bell Awards, taking out ‘Best Australian Jazz Song’ with Mat Jodrell’s ‘Judgement Day.’

Speedball recorded and filmed a live album ‘Live at Wizardtone’ whilst on tour in Australia in 2017. That album is finally being released in 2025 with an accompanying national launch tour.

SPEEDBALL is:
Mat Jodrell – trumpet
Carl Mackey – saxophones
Grant Windsor – piano
Sam Anning – bass
Daniel Susnjar – drums

Visit Speedball: https://www.speedball.net.au and https://www.facebook.com/speedballtheband/ Youtube channel
Instagram: @speedballtheband