A Frank Sinatra cassette tape changed Gold Coaster Rhydian Lewis’s life.
The talented vocalist was just 14, but the tape Come Fly With Me, which he played over and over until he had learned all the songs and lyrics, struck a chord and he’s now doing a tribute, not to Frank, but to the man who has re-imaged those great swing songs – Michael Buble.
Not that Rhydian hasn’t had success in his own right, performing with UK band “Word of Mouth”, having a local hit with “Fly away” and “Will You Be Mine?” Rhydian also released two other records in the UK, “Rain Again” and Double A sided CD “In Love With My Best Friend” and “Give Me One More Chance” before heading south of the equator.
However, it wasn’t until he came to Australia that he really rediscovered the songs he has loved for so long. His Brisbane Jazz debut covering Sinatra and Bobby Darin songs was at an open mic in 2011. Rhydian was keen to put together a jazz band and luckily found the alreadyformed trio of Fred Cole (piano), Hans Lovejoy (double bass) and Ben Cox (drums) who were performing in the Tattersal Hotel in Lismore NSW and the rest, as they say, is history.
Fred Cole is the principal of Speciality Pianos in Lismore and is responsible for all the tuning and fine action regulation work in the business. As well as being an accomplished pianist, he is an active contemporary composer, with a PhD in Electronic Music Composition. He owns 64 pianos, including two grand pianos in his home. He is also a Resident Pianist at the Double Basement, Byron Bay Jazz evenings.
Hans Lovejoy has performed, taught and recorded music for over seventeen years.
From duo to big band, he is an accomplished bassist in all styles of contemporary music.
Hans has over seventeen years’ experience as a professional double and electric bassist, holds a Diploma of Advanced Jazz Studies from the Canberra School of Music, performs regularly with his own ensembles and as a session bassist. His highlights include Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival 2009 with Indonesian musician Tommee.
Ben Cox is a drummer based on the Far North Coast of NSW. With a personal style, groove and feel all his own, Ben is well on his way to becoming widely recognised across Australia. Ben has proven himself as a professional studio musician and enthralling live performer, playing with Australian and international artists such as Tim Freedman (The Whitlams), Marshall and the fro, Jefery Siler, Todd Robinson (Kate DeArouge), Regan Osbourne and numerous others around the country and abroad.
