Their music captures a mood reminiscent of the Rat Pack or Louis Prima in Las Vegas in the 50s – smooth swingin’ jazz, rockin’ blues and good ol’ boogie woogie. The VPs present a lively assortment of the music of the great masters of jazz and blues, including:
Frank Sinatra (‘Come Fly With Me’, ‘Fly Me to The Moon’), Sammy Davis Jr (‘Lady is a Tramp’), Joe Williams (‘Everyday I Have The Blues’, ‘Smack Dab in The Middle’), Count Basie (‘Jumpin’ at the Woodside’, ‘One O’Clock Jump’), Amos Milburn (‘House Party’), Louis Jordan (‘Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens’, ‘Choo Choo Ch’ Boogie’), Chuck Berry (‘Johnny B Goode’, ‘You Never Can Tell’), Louis Prima (‘I’m Just a Gigolo’, ‘I Wanna Be Like You’ (Jungle Book)).
The VPs have performed at countless events, including: Bunbury International Jazz Festival, Upperreach Winery Concert Series, Mandurah Festival, George St Festival, Hullabaloo Swing Dance Festival, The Alice Springs Cup Ball, Jacaranda Jazz Festival, and outdoor events for: City of Stirling, City of Mandurah, City of Belmont and City of Subiaco.
“The band constantly presents as professional and entertaining, with a sparkling competence that deserves wider exposure”
Cheryl Glasgow, Owner SwingCrazy Dance School
“That show was fantastic!
High energy and very impressive”
Scott Lovett, Convention Centre Manager, Alice Springs Convention Centre
The Band
Len Whittle: piano
Len joined the band at the beginning on top of extensive work in Australia & New Zealand with local & international artists. Len has an affinity for Boogie Woogie rhythm & most swinging
Ben Franz: Bass
From music lessons on piano at the age of 7, Ben developed a love for jump blues and rockabilly music in his teens and took up playing guitar and double bass, soon joining his first professional band, The Coolgardies. Most recently Ben has seen success as resident bassist with ARIA Award winning folkies The Waifs.
Joe Whittle: Drums
Joe has steadily been making a name for himself as one of the most versatile and dynamic stick-slingers in the West. In the VPs, you can see Joe doing a little of everything as he provides the swinging, breathing, sometimes elegant and sometimes downright DIRTY rhythmic foundation from which the band launches!
Adam Hall: Trumpet, Vocal
Band leader Adam Hall sings and plays Trumpet, Trombone, Alto Sax, Piano, Euphonium, Mellophonium and a little bit of bass and drums for good measure!
He has played with James Morrison, Count Basie Orchestra leader Frank Foster, and Shirley Horn’s band to name just a few. Adam played at the Sydney Olympics, was
Artist in Residence at Southbridge Jazz Club, Singapore and has made tours to Boston, New York & New Orleans.
Tim Forster: Tenor Sax
In the VPs Tim emulates the style and passion of ‘Honkers and Screamers’ such as Sam Butera (Louis Prima Band), Big Jay McNeely and Sam ‘The Man’ Taylor. A WAAPA graduate, Tim was a featured soloist on Courtney Murphy’s debut CD, a member of Slim Jim and the Fatts ‘Fatt Horn Section’ and a founding member of the Fremantle Jazz Orchestra.
Mic Cartwright: Trombone
As a trombonist Mic has performed with a variety of local and international artists including Rolf Harris, James Morrison, Tommy Emanuel, Don Burrows, Graeme Lyall, Wilbur Wilde and Don Burrows. A trombonist, teacher and conductor, Mic has been
Musical Director of the WAYJO Big Band for the past six years and is also a member of the Hip Mo’ Toast Big Band.
