CONNEXION BIG BAND
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ABOUT US
A stylistically unique jazz band from day one, Connexion Big Band is one of Canberra's oldest and most established big bands, known for getting audiences on their feet dancing the night away. Throughout the course of the band’s union they have won over the hearts of music lovers from all walks of life, performing at a variety of venues, making public appearances and celebrating jazz as part of our lives.
Directed by Aaron Michael and featuring several of Canberra's top jazz vocalists, ConneXion recreates the powerful and famous 18-piece big horn sound, playing a diverse range of repertoire from a library of more than 600 'charts.' Our repertoire spans vintage swing from the early 1940s (think Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and Ella Fitzgerald), hits of the 1960s-1980s (think James Bond, Frank Sinatra, the Beatles and the Blues Brothers) through to contemporary jazz works (like Bob Mintzer and Stan Kenton) and even works by Australian jazz composers and arrangers. More recently we have incorporated swing dance music from the early big band era and music from the videogame genre.
We specialise in tailoring our music selections to suit the occasion, whether it be weddings, vintage dance events, conferences, corporate functions or festivals with music-loving audiences. We even offer a small jazz ensemble for those more intimate occasions to set the atmosphere before bringing out the big horn sound of the full big band. We also encourage our saxophone 'front line' members to 'double' on clarinet and/or flute at times in order to better capture the sound of some of the great early big bands or to promote greater colour variation in our sound palette. Many of these 'variations' to the standard big band sound and source material are the result of the influence of our past musical directors, including Jim McMullen, Sally Greenaway and Justin Buckingham.
Regularly teaming up with Canberra-based swing dancers, ConneXion is guaranteed to entertain audiences and get their feet tapping all night long. If you're organising a wedding, party, conference dinner, ball or any other celebration, we are the band for you.
CONTACT
BAND MEMBERS
Musical Director
Aaron Michael
Coming from a musical family Aaron began playing the alto saxophone at an early age, and after finishing high school went on to study Jazz at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music during which time he made the switch to the tenor. During this time he studied with Col Loughnan, John Hoffman, Tony Buchanan and James Ryan.
In 1999 Aaron moved to Sydney and has since become one of the busiest and most in-demand players on the scene. He has performed with an array of artists that includes international touring acts such as The Brand New Heavies, Tower of Power, Michael Bolton, Tony Hadley, Go West and ABC. Local artists include James Morrison, Dan Barnett, David Campbell, Phil Emmanuel, Katie Noonan, Wendy Mathews, Sydney All-Star Big Band and many more.
Aaron has also recorded two albums with the legendary Australian singer Jeff Duff, and a solo effort entitled 'Aaron Michael.' He has been heavily involved with show production and touring over the years, and has spent time in the RAAF, culminating with a stint as Director of Bands.
Aaron Michael is also a former RAAF Director of Music. He took up the role of ConneXion MD in late 2024.
