BANJO

Andrew Stephens was raised in a richly contrasting musical household, shaped equally by serious classical music and popular song. His lifelong passion for 1920s jazz was sparked in a single formative moment at school, hearing a recording introduced as “the great jazz orchestras of the 1920s” — a few seconds that changed everything.

After studying oboe and clarinet, Andrew taught himself banjo and formed his first Dixieland band at university. In 1975 he co-founded Tiny Parham’s Jaunty Jungle Jazz Band with Peter Milley, later performing with Toads Crazy Kats, and deepening his love of orchestras such as Doc Cook, Tiny Parham and McKinney’s Cotton Pickers, alongside Australia’s historic Green Mill, Capitol Theatre and Palais orchestras.

In 2007 he founded the Puffing Billy Railway Ramblers, later evolving into the Dandenong Ranges Hot Jazz Orchestra with mentoring from Andrew Nolte. Following COVID, Andrew re-established the Capitol Theatre Orchestra, premiering at the Melbourne Capitol in 2024.

SAXOPHONES | CLARINET

Sophia Macrae is an accomplished performer and music director whose career spans theatre, jazz, cabaret and international touring. She has performed extensively across Australia, spent several years in the cruise industry playing in showbands, and was based in Barcelona for five years, where she performed, recorded and toured throughout Europe with the six-piece ensemble Los Krokodillos.

After returning to Australia, Sophia created original cabaret works in Adelaide before settling in Victoria, where she has become a highly sought-after music director and performer across stage, orchestral and contemporary settings. More recently, she has toured China, performing to international audiences and expanding her global performance footprint.

As Music Director of the Capitol Theatre Orchestra, Sophia is committed to honouring the orchestra’s historic legacy while shaping a vibrant, inclusive and community-focused future, ensuring the music remains accessible, relevant and joyfully alive for new generations of audiences.

VOCALS | DRUM

Andrew Nolte is a charismatic drummer, spellbinding vocalist and one of the original creative forces behind the Capitol Theatre Orchestra. His lifelong devotion to Jazz Age music began with dusty 78rpm records and evolved into a mission to revive the syncopated sounds of the 1920s with authenticity, flair and heart.

A distinguished figure on Melbourne stages and internationally, Andrew has performed at landmark events including the Silkeborg Jazz Festival (Denmark), Hamer Hall, Adelaide Festival, The Spiegeltent, Melbourne White Night, The Gatsby Ball and the Melbourne Lindy Exchange. He has led Andrew Nolte & His Orchestra, and performed with ensembles such as the Cairo Club Orchestra, Michael McQuaid’s Red Hot Rhythmakers and the New Empire Ballroom Ragtime Dance Orchestra.

Andrew was a featured vocalist in Miss Fisher: Crypt of Tears and performed on the film’s soundtrack. He is also the voice behind Steam Radio on 3CR, sharing Jazz Age treasures with new generations of listeners.

VOCALS | TRUMPET

Vincent Bradley is an accomplished Australian jazz trumpeter and vocalist celebrated for his charismatic stage presence and warm, expressive playing. A mainstay of Victoria’s vibrant jazz scene, Vincent performs regularly at major festivals and club venues, including appearances with his own ensembles such as the Vincent Bradley Quintet and in collaborations with groups like High‑ly Animated at the Inverloch Jazz Festival, where his trumpet and vocals blend swinging tradition with joyful improvisation.

A versatile performer, he has taken his music across Australia and overseas, from iconic jazz festivals to international club stages including Beijing’s CD Jazz Club in China, bringing classic jazz sensibilities to life with both brass and voice.

Trained at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Vincent embraces a wide stylistic range, from traditional swing and blues to contemporary jazz, and is known for engaging audiences with both lyrical solos and dynamic ensemble interplay.

VOCAL | TUBA

Alessio Russo is a rising Australian jazz tubist and vocalist whose warm low‑brass sound and musical versatility make him a distinctive voice in Melbourne’s traditional jazz community. He is featured as the tuba player in the Capitol Theatre Orchestra, contributing foundational depth and rhythmic drive to the ensemble’s homage to the 1920s theatre orchestra tradition.

Alessio’s musical path includes early recognition as a top performer on tuba where he represented his school in the VCAA Season of Excellence.

On stage he combines robust tuba lines with engaging ensemble interplay, supporting spirited performances at jazz festivals and club events. His work with the Capitol Theatre Orchestra places him alongside some of Victoria’s leading traditional jazz players and connects historic jazz stylings with contemporary audiences.

PIANO

Jo Abbott is a versatile pianist and accordionist with over 30 years’ experience as a bandleader, theatre musician, accompanist and performer for film and television. A passionate interpreter of French and jazz music, Jo brings sophistication, flair and joy to every stage.

She has performed and toured with acclaimed ensembles and artists including Sanfona, Circus Oz, Tilly Bebe, Alan Lee, Ultrafox, Arena Theatre Company, Django Rhythm and Doug de Vries, showcasing her adaptability across cabaret, jazz and theatrical genres. Her festival appearances span nationally and internationally, including the OzManouche Festival, Wangaratta Jazz & Blues Festival, Live en Août (New Caledonia), Auckland Cabaret Festival and Stonnington Jazz Festival.

Jo’s studio and screen work includes recording for the feature film Miss Fisher: Crypt of Tears with Gatsby’s Vintage Jazz Band, who also appear on screen, and performing on ABC’s Spicks and Specks. Her artistry combines technical mastery with a playful, cinematic energy that captivates audiences worldwide.

TRUMPET

Robert Rizzo is a Melbourne-based trumpet specialist, educator, and freelance musician with a rich and diverse performance career. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, he recently completed a Master of Music at the Australian Institute of Music, focusing on The Development of a Pedagogical Tool for the Performance of Big Band Lead Trumpet Repertoire; a project that has led him to author a forthcoming instructional book.

Robert began trumpet at age 11, achieving AMEB Grade 6 in his second year and Grade 8 by his fourth, and served as Music Captain at Mazenod College. He won a casual position with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and received mentorship from Australian jazz legend James Morrison. He has also studied with world class Australian and international trumpet artists, performing across classical, jazz, and crossover contexts.

Renowned for his technical mastery, musical versatility, and passion for teaching, Robert continues to contribute to Melbourne’s vibrant music scene.

TRUMPET

TROMBONE

TROMBONE

SAXOPHONE | CLARINET

SAXOPHONES | CLARINET

Stuart Byrne is an exceptionally versatile Melbourne-based woodwind musician, performing on instruments ranging from piccolo to contrabass clarinet, across styles spanning jazz, classical and contemporary music.

He has performed live with internationally acclaimed artists including Il Divo, Yo-Yo Ma, The Temptations, Ray Charles, Tina Arena, Hugh Jackman, Jimmy Barnes and Jessica Mauboy, and has recorded for artists such as John Farnham and David Campbell, as well as for feature films, television, commercials and video games. Stuart has appeared with the Melbourne and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra Victoria, Victorian Opera and numerous professional musical theatre productions in Australia and Asia.

Trained at the University of Melbourne with the late Dr Peter Clinch, Stuart is also a passionate educator. He spent many years performing with the Royal Australian Air Force Band before returning to freelance performance and teaching in 2022. His enduring love for the baritone saxophone remains central to his musical life.

SAXOPHONES | CLARINET

Aaron Searle is a Melbourne-based jazz musician and composer, performing on saxophone, flute and clarinet. Known for his lyrical voice and thoughtful compositional style, Aaron is an active presence on the Australian jazz scene as both a bandleader and collaborator.

He has released four solo albums to date, including three albums of original compositions and In Your Own Sweet Way, a collection celebrating the music of Dave Brubeck. His most recent releases, In Idle Hours and Pieces of Eight, feature Aaron’s jazz octet and showcase his writing for larger ensembles, blending strong melodic narratives with rich harmonic textures and rhythmic interplay.

Aaron’s work reflects a deep respect for the jazz tradition while embracing a contemporary sensibility. Through performance, recording and composition, he continues to develop a distinctive artistic voice, contributing meaningfully to Melbourne’s vibrant jazz community and beyond.

SAXOPHONES | CLARINET

Tony Hicks is a Melbourne-based woodwind specialist whose career bridges jazz, orchestral performance, experimental music and large-scale theatrical productions.

Trained by saxophonist Peter Clinch, Tony brings decades of experience performing with leading Australian ensembles, including the Australian Art Orchestra, where he was a key contributor to the award-winning Crossing Roper Bar. His international collaborations span South Indian Carnatic music, contemporary art music and improvisation, alongside artists of global standing.

Equally at home in the orchestra pit and on the concert stage, Tony has performed in over one hundred professional musicals and major theatre productions, extensive studio and broadcast work for national television, and shared the stage with internationally renowned artists including Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Randy Brecker, Billy Cobham and Lalah Hathaway. His depth of experience, musical sensitivity and stylistic versatility make him a valued member of the Capitol Theatre Orchestra.

VIOLIN

Penny has played her violin in a wide range of bands and genres around Australia, including Irish/Celtic, Honky Tonk, Blues, Bluegrass, South American/Tango and Folk.

 Her love of the 1920s started in her teens, when she was invited to a splendid 1920s costume ball. Growing up to the sound of her parent's old jazz records, Penny had always dreamed of playing in a jazz band but couldn't find one that wanted a violin until 2016, when Andrew Stephens introduced her to the local 1920s Hot Jazz Orchestra - she's been having a ball playing 1920s Hot Jazz ever since!

"1920s music never fails to put a smile on my face - I love playing with CTO!"

VIOLIN

Kat is a freelance violinist who has premiered many solo and chamber ensemble works by Australian composers including Joseph Franklin, Gordon Kerry, May Lyon and Jenny Game with ensembles including Allotropy String Quartet, Melbourne Composers League, Forest Collective, Opera Scholars Australia, Zelman Orchestra, Melbourne Fringe Festival and the New York Tropfest Film Festival.

Kat has performed as concertmaster or principal violinist with many Australian orchestras and ensembles including various international tours to Italy, Austria, Czech Republic and China.

VIOLIN

Angel is a versatile and imaginative violinist whose passion for early jazz and theatre music finds a perfect home with the Capitol Theatre Orchestra, where her 1920s violin and bow bring authentic swing and character to every performance. Equally at ease under the stage in musical theatre pits, on concert stages with other orchestras, in recording studios, or at weddings performing her own inventive arrangements, Angel is a consummate performer.

Her performance highlights span radio, theatre and festivals, including appearances on 774 ABC Radio with Red Symons for Classical Revolution Melbourne, a Bond-themed cabaret at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, the Australian professional premiere of Parade, and the innovative multimedia concert Synthony in Melbourne. Known for her expressive phrasing, stylistic versatility, and warm stage presence, Angel brings both technical mastery and playful theatricality to every project. Her artistry enriches each ensemble she joins and delights audiences with the charm, energy, and elegance of live jazz and orchestral music.