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The BLACK MARIAS’ SWING-TEASE' show is a diorama of Crime Jazz, Swing and Burlesque, recalling the classic Hollywood cabaret era from Broadway & the Sunset Strip.

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The six piece Black Marias perform two sets of classic tunes from the golden torch and jive era,  interspersed with 'Exotic Cabaret spots' featuring the combos muse Miss Peg Petite, who reinterprets the combo's original tunes with her unique pout, shimmy, strip and vavoom.

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SWING TEASE having enjoyed sell out shows at the VANGUARD, is now spreading its fan tails to select cabaret rooms across the country.

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JIMMY VARGAS (Crooner)

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The founding member of international cult noir combo the BLACK DAHLIAS. His credits include vocals for cocktail lounge-meisters BLACK LIST the exotica tinged multimedia combo ‘MACHINISO. JIMMY VARGAS has also scribed for Rolling Stone, Retrospect, Playboy, and Java Bachelor Pad Magazines on the Vintage culture. He lectures occasionally at the CINEMATHEQUE, being internationally regarded as an authority on Hollywood Noir and Burlesque movies.

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SCOT LEISHMAN (Guitarist)

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One of the most sought out guitarists on the Sydney Jazz scene today. Scott Leishman is a professional guitarist,  bassist and Music educator, being a graduate of the NSW Conservatorium of Music  Scotty has performed, recorded  and toured most notably with JACKIE ORCASZKY, TINA HARROD, ALEX LLOYD, MARCIA HINES, NIKKI COSTA and more, and now adds his signature cool sound to the BLACK MARIAS.

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ALEX HEWETSON (Bass)

Alex is also another graduate of the NSW Conservatorium of Music. His career began as a founding member of the 90's acid jazz group DIG who enjoyed immense success both nationally & internationally. Alex also co-wrote the chart smash hit "Apple Eyes" for Sydney funk group SWOOP of which he was a long time member. His list of credits includes providing his superb bass on "Savage Garden's" number #1 hits "I Want You" and "To the Moon & Back". Alex is a "first call" bass player for many Australian artists including Guy Sebastian and Ian Moss.

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ANTERO CESCHIN (Drums)

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Antero is a graduate of the NSW Conservatorium of Music. After his studies, Antero began regularly playing with Sydney's most respected jazz musicians until he joined THE MIGHTY REAPERS where he found his musical "home" for the next ten years. Since then Antero has been an in demand drummer who is more than comfortable playing many musical styles, his list of credits includes Leonardo's Bride, Greedy Smith, Catherine Lambert (Lost In Translation), Robert Susz and was a founding member of the ACCA DAQUIRIS.  Antero is also Sydney's undefeated champion of the chromatic harmonica.

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NATHAN HEMSHAW (Sax)

 

Nathan’s work as Sydney's 'Mr. Sax' has seen him perform with a diverse range of outstanding performers, such as Tim Minchin, Jimmy Vargas & the Black Marias, Ben Folds, Randy Newman, Richard Gill, Eddie Perfect, Christine Anu, He has also performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Opera Victoria, Compass, Continuum Sax, Chronology Arts, and SBS Television and Radio Orchestra, Heavy Metal Quartet, Sax Summit, Sydney Saxophone Collective and Rarefied Air. He is currently Principal tenor saxophonist with the NSW Police Band. Nathan is also a member of the Nexas Quartet: one of Australia’s leading Chamber Music Ensembles.

 

 MARCELLA MINX (Canary)

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Born in Scotland Marcella studied piano, oboe, guitar and vocals at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama. Worked as a dancer and cabaret artiste whilst travelling Europe, USA, Australia and the UK eventually settling in Sydney, Australia. She teaches vocals and piano along with musical theory.

Studies classical singing and musical theatre and is currently working towards her A (Mus A) Musical theatre. Recently played one of the trio in The Boy from Oz.

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MISS PEG PETITE (Exotic)

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The Burleycue 'Baby Sister' to the MARIAS, MISS PEG has a background in classical dance and ballet from a young age. She has trained up her 'Exotic' skills with renowned burlesque queen MISS KELLY ANNE DOLL and has created a tempest storm in her performances to both the mainstream and underground milieu, working venues such as LOW 302, VANGUARD and the COLOMBIAN.

MISS PEG’'s unique sizzle and sass, meta-fleshes the Vargas-Leishmann original songs into an unique exoticarama. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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