Events

Friday 27th November 2026 - "Galapagos Duck"

Galapagos Duck became well know in the Australian Jazz and music scene during the 70’s when it was the house band at the Jazz night club “The Basement” in Sydney. Since then, they have become one of the best known jazz bands in Australia. They have continued to work in concert halls, night clubs, at jazz festivals, in the recording studio and on radio and television.
They have played internationally at Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Jazz Yatra festival, Bombay
in Mumbai, the USA, Manilla Jazz in the Phillipines, Singapore international, Queenstown in New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, Vanuatu jazz and more, including England, Germany, France, China and the list goes on. This is a show not to be missed by a truly internationally successful band.

Friday 30th October 2026 - "Whopping Big Band"

The Whopping Big Band, a student Big Band, was established in 1994 by Vikki Armour as a part of the Murwillumbah Primary School Band Program.
Since that time, hundreds of young musicians have had the opportunity to rehearse each week with the band to extend their musical skills. We sincerely acknowledge the adults who support the kids at band each week.
The band plays from a wide variety of “Big Band” repertoire. The students really look forward to the opportunity to play at many community events and gigs around the Tweed.
Current members are from schools right across the Tweed Valley. The Whopping Big Band is directed by Jesse Edwards.

Friday 25th September 2026 - "Hint Of Swing Big Band"

Are you missing that big band sound? Then wait no longer. Hint of Swing Big Band, an exciting 18-piece ensemble, will take you on a musical journey from the roaring 1920s through to the swinging 1960s — and beyond with modern classics audiences know and love.
Featuring an outstanding repertoire of jazz standards, Latin rhythms, swing favourites, blues classics, and contemporary hits reimagined in big band style, the band captures the excitement, elegance, and energy of the golden age of music and dance.
Performing at the Tweed Valley Jazz Club on Friday 25th September, Hint of Swing Big Band promises an unforgettable evening of live entertainment. Special guest vocalists Cheryl O'Brien and James Henshaw add style and sophistication to a show filled with timeless melodies and infectious rhythms.
Under the musical direction of Ivan Cocking, the band’s passion for jazz and authentic big band performance will transport audiences through the eras in true swing style.

Past Events

Friday 28th August 2026 - Mojo Webb Band
The Mojo Webb band provided outstanding variety within the genre, every mode between laid-back blues and raunchy soul. Mojo’s excellent vocals effortlessly transitioned between growling soul and clear, early Motown-style melody licks. Mojo’s blindingly brilliant guitar work, always improving, shows why he is one of the foremost blues guitarists in SE Queensland and Northern Rivers.
There was strong, driving, sensitive accompaniment from Coojee Timms on drums, and J.B.Lewis on bass guitar.
The special guest appearances by “Scrubby” Two Fingers Hurcombe (two fingers, due to a D.I.Y.cutter mishap!) on slide guitar was a musical treat, plus Jed Stone on keys, also a noted blues pianist/organist, made traditional standards like
“Telephone Blues” and “Luckiest Man Alive” a serious, breakthrough jam session. Music lovers in the audience were amazed at what can happen on a Mojo original which has only one chord in the loop-It-society!’ So easy to see why Mojo Webb is a perennial favourite at the Condong jazz and Blues Club.

Friday 31st July 2026 - The Fine Organ Combo
Pietro Fine brings his keyboard skills to the mighty Hammond Organ with rotating Leslie speaker.
Music lover will appreciate that the bass rotors go in the opposite direction to the treble horns giving a unique spatial dimension to the sound. There are no imitations possible!
This is why the Hammond Organ is still a standard for the music industry unlike for example, the vibraphone, which is seldom heard these days.
The group played excellent laid back, tasteful music. What a treat! Brilliant guitar work by Lucas Zorzo, including several of his original compositions.
Brilliant trumpet/trombone and serious vocals by Dave Stephenson. His ”Solitude” was a stand-out, as was his moving feel of the classical Spanish compositions, sensitively and uniquely flavoured.
Ben Cox, young up and coming drummer showed us what he is capable of with sensitive accompaniments with thunderous fours solos. We will hear more of this young giant!
A new variation on the usual ”Great American Songbook” routines we are accustomed to at our club!

Friday 26th June 2026 - Trombone Kellie Gang
The Earlybirds started with a moving tribute to the late, great Rick Best performed by Harry on keyboard before ripping into their tantalisingly expert blend of trad, vaudeville and hits from the Great American Songbook.
Fronted by the ever-glamorous Antonia Breen, plus the dulcet vocals of Bob Green, Jean and Jed. They had the floor packed with dancers and music lovers from Go to Woah.
Enter the Trombone Kellie Gang, with the perpetually excellent Rodney Ford on drums. With the welcome sax sonorities of Vonnie Dengate, who also contributed back-up vocals. This girl sure is under-rated! We should hear more from her.
Scrubby Pete’s slide guitar improves all the time. What a gas! Move over, you Mojo aficionados, this man has superb chops and licks. Sounds like a wild orchestra on heat!
Kellie’s powerful & gravel vocals sound just as good as the late Janis Joplin, while she carries the show with her stage presence.
Not forgetting Justin Pfeiffer’s excellent earthquake double bass playing, whether with the bow or plucked. We know what you’re doing Justin! You’re trying to start another earthquake!
And on a personal note, thanks to the JT staff for that yummy, scrumptious cake! I went round 4 times and never got sick once!

Friday 29th May 2026 - Stealing Thunder
We were treated to a fabulous re-imagining of time-honoured standards by the most versatile jazzers on the coast. We expected the unexpected! Who would have imagined ”St.Thomas”as a rock cha-cha?
“Dock of the Bay” in hip-hop.” Girl Talk” as the slowest, most tasteful blues re-hash ever heard. A first for Condong Bowlo!
Sadly, Rick Best was unwell and couldn’t participate. His place was taken by the incredibly talented Graham Lockwood with stunning keyboards and vocals. A special mention, also for Adam Thomas on sax, who has added wild dance moves to his stage act, plus stunning tenor sax playing. John Conley we know and love for his steady, driving bass playing, and of course, our nearly resident Rodney Ford on drums and vocals.
Altogether a fun night of jazz tastefully, forcefully and innovatively played by a fine quartet. We wish Rick Best all the best for a speedy recovery.

Friday 24th April 2026 - Vicki Salisbury Quartet
All first-class seasoned professionals, adding originality and flair to much-loved standards.
What a huge on-stage sound! Where was the bass sound coming from? Larry Thomson’s flying feet on that hard to get Korg organ bass pedal set-up, 40 years old, but still the best ever.
Flying fingers and feet from the incredible Mr Thomson.
Excellent flute and sax from Doc Dave.
Special guest member was the dynamic drummer Rodney Ford, clearly one of the best drummers on the coast, driving the rhythm along with top-end swing and precision, sounding like he had been with the quartet for ever!
Vicki’s vocals were endlessly versatile, spanning all genres. Star quality in a brilliantly packaged hot stage act.
And their choice of material? Terrific re-hashes of Brazilian Latin, plus “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” by the Police. Never played at Condong Jazz Club before, with amazing scat singing from Larry through a Vocoder, that amazing vocal harmoniser, from the era of Peter Frampton, Boy George. Again, never appeared at Condong before! Fast, furious and out of this world!

Friday 27th March 2026 - Acid Bleed
Vive la Difference! A 5-piece line-up straight from mid-century Paris, with shades of Pigalle, Hot Club de Paris, playing standards and paying homage to Django, Stephan Grappelli, with a multi-talented instrumental feel adding spice and skill.
Excellent twin guitars of Jimmy Chiu and Dave Caldwell. Who was lead? Who was rhythm? All divisions vanish in their subtle interplay.
Standout virtuosity from Andrew Horowitz’s violin and sax front line, with good solid bass and drums from Josh Kirk and Dave Hirst. With charming vocals from Veronica Lovejoy, definitely an emerging talent.
They added to charming French standards with other Western standards including ”My Favourite Things” exhausted every riff in the standard repertoire. ”Sweet Georgia Brown” was sweeter than usual.
And what’s that famous Latin number with 4 titles? ”A day in the life of a Fool”. ”Carnival”. Manha da Orfeo”. A prize for anyone who can name the 4th title!

Friday 27th February 2026
Info coming soon...

Friday 30th January 2026
Always a pleasure to jive along to this world-class big band. Led as always by Rick Best with his arrangements and brilliant cutting-edge keyboard skills.
Brilliant phrasing from the best trombone section any where along with the fiery yet elegant sax section, scintillating trumpets and driving rhythm outfit was amazing to see.
Sweet Thunder consists of some of the best players on the Gold Coast many instantly recognisable. Rodney Ford on drums and vocals; how DOES he play complex rhythm drum fills while singing cabaret style?
Mike Keogh on trombone, John Conley on double bass. Yet another gorgeous arrangement of Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square with mesmerising bass trombone intro, coupled with audible baritone sax playing by the under-rated Ken Lincoln.
Crowd-pleasing favourites galore, such as Rick’s own arrangements from Wind in the Willows suite, Jelly Roll Morton’s almost forgotten Bleep Bleep, Darn That Dream and Dead Man’s Blues.
Plus of course, many arrangements from the immortal pen of Sammy Nistico. What a treat for serious jazz lovers!

Friday 28th November 2025
A highly individual blend of brilliant musical styles for the last show of the year.
Powerhouse Jazz ranging from the avant-garde to well loved standards, with tasteful renditions of Bacharach to The Beatles.
Excellent vocals and dynamic bass playing from Nikki Parrott, at times scatting along with her double bass solos.
Tremendous drumming provided by David Sanders with some amazing solos thrown in.
Steve Russell on piano performed a solo number for the last tune of the first set to wild applause. Absolutely brilliant keyboards.
We have come to expect the brilliance of Martha Baartz who provided yet again a tasteful and melodious sax overlay to the whole performance. What a blast!

Friday 31st October 2025
Always a pleasure to have this excellent, tight big band back, fronted by Col Atkinson with his powerhouse bass playing, crooning vocals and compering along with band leader Paul Radford on trombone.
Well drilled sections, great trombone chorus, excellent sax and trumpet groupings, and brilliant rhythm section with great drive.
New girl singer Lisa Angel added glorious vocal glamour, she’s a star of the future. Her stand-out number ”My Funny Valentine” brought the house down.
Great to hear “Macarthur Park”, that timeless classic played so faultlessly with marvellous light and shade.
Nice also to see the age range of this outfit, with the youngest player 14 and the oldest player 83!
All the arrangements, whether classic standards or crowd-pleasing favourites were well chosen and faultlessly played.
A great evening, thanks to Gold Coast Big Band. We’ll see you again soon!

Friday 26th September 2025
Sorry, still no review!

Updated 9th September 2026
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