- 2 Nov 20251:00pm - 2:00pm
During 13 fruitful years in Melbourne Barker was a fixture of the Australian touring circuit as well as appearing at venues and events such as the Sydney Opera House, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Frankie 100 in New York and the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Festival in Davenport Iowa, establishing himself worldwide as a first call sideman and award winning band leader.
He has collaborated worldwide with artists as diverse as Branford Marsalis, Gordon Webster, the Hot Jazz Alliance, The Tom Vincent Trio and Sarah McKenzie.
Making a joyful return to Wangaratta Jazz and Blues, Leigh reunites his Melbourne band to celebrate the release of "Cross Street" (2025). Featuring veteran ensemble members Eamon McNelis, Matt Boden, Abby Constable, Grant Arthur, John Scurry, Jason Downes and star vocalist Heather Stewart, the group maintains his vision of an inclusive and diverse music, where one finds the all the principal threads of blues, swing, hot jazz and classic themes at the heart of an exuberant, spontaneous and passionate orchestra. Vocalist and violinist Heather Stewart anchors the seven virtuosos with her moving, swinging voice, while the orchestra traverses the full palette of rhythm melody and improvisation.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to catch Leigh Barker and his band performing their take on classic jazz.