Last Saturday, Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters, played their authentic Roaring 20s speakeasy jazz for the 1920s Ozwac Gala Ball, raising money for this venerable charity.
What is Ozwac? Ozwac, the Australian Women and Children’s Research Foundation, is a charity that raises and grants money for research in western Sydney. It works within the University of Sydney Clinical School at Nepean. The research is essential to improve clinical care for mothers and babies. In general, such research is poorly funded in Australia.
In Greg Poppleton and the Broadcasters for the 1920s gala where Greg Poppleton 1920s singer, Geoff Power trumpet and sousaphone, Chuck Morgan banjo and ukeleles, and Adam Barnard drums. Film and TV personalities Roy Billing and Tara Dennis were also at the Ball, sharing their tremendous talents for the cause.
$42 000 was raised.
One of the organisers of the successful 1920s themed Fundraising Ball (which was held in the Evans Theatre of Penrith Panthers) took some happy snaps of Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters on stage for you. We hope you enjoy them. (Thank you, Kane)
Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters at the Ozwac 1920s Gala Ball, Penrith Panthers
Now, if you’re looking for a real 1920s trio to sextet or even orchestra for your event, lead by Sydney’s only authentic 1920s singer (classically trained) and filled with world-touring vintage jazz and swing specialists, check out the band’s official website and get in touch via the contact page
The Hudson-AMC Car Club of Australia is dedicated to the preservation of cars built by the Hudson, Nash and American Motors Corporation.
Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters are Sydney’s 1920s Speakeasy and 1930s Swing Trio – Sextet. We feature Sydney’s only authentic 1920s – 1930s singer, Greg Poppleton, and world-touring vintage swing jazz musicians.
The Hudson-AMC Car Club and Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters were at the annual Fairfield Museum Fair. Thank you, Tony, for the pictures…
Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters around the 1929 Essex Roadster. In the Bakelite Broadcasters, singer Greg Poppleton seated with megaphone, Geoff Power big silver sousaphone and trumpet, Paul Baker banjo, Adam Barnard drums and washboard
Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters – Sydney’s 1920s Speakeasy Trio – Sextet
The 1929 Essex Roadster belonging to the Hudson-AMC Club of Australia
Here are some happy snaps for you of Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters at the 2013 Fairfield Museum fair, celebrating 30 years of the Fairfield Museum, Horsley Drive, Smithfield, with songs from the 1920s and 1930s
Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters at the Faifield Museum Open Day singing the songs of the 1920s
Greg Poppleton, singer in blue, with Geoff Power, sousaphone, and Paul Baker, banjo (Adam Barnard, drums, out of shot)
There’s also some pics of the band posing in a restored 1929 Essex 6 taken by the Hudson Car Club. I’ll post them as soon as I get them emailed to me
Swing dancers on the day at Fairfield: SwingKatz. Also on stage was a Spanish choir and Uruguayan drummers
The latest independent release by Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters is pure 1920s in flavour and available on Bandcamp
With the same maverick spirit that produced ‘The Phantom Dancer’ (the sold-out first CD and the award-winning, national community radio show), ‘Doin’ The Charleston’, is the long-awaited second album from Greg Poppleton & The Bakelite Broadcasters
Recorded live-in-studio in just 5 hours, ‘Doin’ The Charleston’, is the first document of Greg Poppleton & The Bakelite Broadcasters as a purely Roaring 20s Speakeasy 5-piece. There are more layers, more stylistic tangents than before, with a DNA recovered from the very bones of smoking, catchy, 1920s speakeasy pop. At the forefront is the undeniably authentic and unique Roaring 20s vocal style of Greg Poppleton
A pre-release spin of ‘Doin The Charleston’ at the 2012 Sydney Fringe Festival had swing dancers crowding the dance floor
Greg Poppleton is very proud of the results, “For me, ‘Doin’ The Charleston’, is all about the songs, how they line up, intertwine, switch partners and promenade home”
Greg has expanded his 3.5 octave sonic palette with a long list of influences to forge his own sound. Heir to a tradition of finely-crafted, dramatic, confessional music that explores the ups and downs of life and love with a keenly-observed honesty that touches all who hear, Greg Poppleton is backed by what really is an all-star speakeasy band of world-touring jazz musicians…
Paul Furniss weaves shimmering, infectious, toe-tapping anthems using soprano, alto, tenor saxophones and clarinet. Al Davey wails, growls and caresses on trumpet and trombone. He brings together the brightest elements and darkest undertones in a unique blend of unshackled two-beat. Grahame Conlon’s banjo demands attention weaving audacious fat chords around the pulsing, minimalist sousaphone loops of Rod Herbert and ARIA nominee Geoff Power and the chemically infused drum beats and bootleg hooch washboard laid down by Bell band legend, Lawrie Thompson
The quintet makes lullabies, lush dreamy vintage pop, and the powerful, bone-rattling immediacy of hot, danceable jazz. Vocal hooks are inescapable, lush productions uncannily authentic to the Roaring 20s, as sophisticated and pristine as anything on a 78 disc. ‘Doin’ The Charleston’s’ 14 tracks (including a bonus alternate take on the soaring St James Infirmary) trace a unique aesthetic universe that is fully-crafted and fully-realised, deftly walking the lines between joyous exhilaration and otherworldly rapture, pleasure-centre pop and total self-possession
It has been described as the Temperance Seven meets’ Don Byron’s Bug Music
Greg Poppleton & The Bakelite Broadcasters’ is a universe that invites exploration and demands revisiting. ‘Doin’ The Charleston’ is a journey from darkness to light, from anger to love, from chaos to order. Buy at Bandcamp, CD Baby and bakelitejazz.com
Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters Trio for a 30th Birthday at the ArtHouse
‘Doin’ The Charleston’ has been featured by Bob Rogers in a one hour special on the album over 2CH and the Macquarie Network, Sydney. It has also been CD of the Week on ArtSoundFM Canberra and Jazz Album of the Week on 5MBS Adelaide
Former jazz critic for The Australian newspaper, Kevin Jones, wrote about ‘Doin The Charleston’…
“Even in the 21st century, the music of the so-called jazz age (the Roaring Twenties) still holds a fascination for many, judging by the number of bands which play this style of music world-wide. The Bakelite Broadcasters, led by vocalist Greg Poppleton, keeps the 1920s’ flag flying in Sydney as this enjoyable disc, the second by the group, shows.
They are mostly pre-Swing Era songs written before Benny Goodman launched jazz’s most popular years at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles on August 21, 1935 ranging from Paul Dresser’s My Gal Sal (1907) to Fats Wallers’ I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Lettter (1935) and include The Charleston (1923) and Sweet Lorraine and Button Up Your Overcoat (both written in 1928)
Listening to the 1929 recording by the Mound City Blue Blowers of I Ain’t Got Nobody and My Gal Sal shows the Broadcasters have captured the basic sound. Not surprising when you consider the group includes musicians of the calibre of Paul Furniss (reeds) Al Davey (trumpet and trombone) and Lawrie Thompson (drums and washboard) who show how well they have mastered the style. Grahame Conlon (tenor banjo) makes a mockery of those many banjo jokes with his rollicking solo on The Road To Gundagai. As for the leader, some may find his voice a little affected at times but he has captured that decade’s vocal style to perfection especially on Falling in Love Again sung in both English and German. As enjoyable as they are to listen to The Bakelite Broadcasters must be even better live.”
My 9-year old son, Damon, playing drums for Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters, Courtyard Sessions, Seymour Centre, Sydney, 1 Dec 2012
Two pics of my 9 year old son, Damon, playing drums for Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters, Courtyard Sessions, Seymour Centre, 1 December 2012. Grahame Conlon, guitar. Darcy Wright, double bass.
Damon played on all three sets of jazz from the 1920s and 1930s with two of Australia’s most experienced and accomplished swing musicians. Darcy has played in the touring bands of Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington and more. Grahame has played in the touring bands of Ernestine Anderson, Ricky May, James Morrison and more
It’s the one of the big social nights in the Blue Mountains calendar – the annual Art Deco Ball in the Grand Dining Room of the Carrington Hotel, Katoomba. And this year, Sydney’s 1920s Great Gatsby Orchestra, The Lounge Bar Lotharios, featuring Sydney’s only authentic 1920s singer, were providing the Roaring 20s music
Have you enjoyed all the recent 1920s shows on TV? Boardwalk Empire, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries Miss Marple and Underbelly Razor? And the 1920s songs? Great, aren’t they?
And with Baz Luhrmann’s mid-2013 release of The Great Gatsby creating lots of 1920s buzz in Sydney, there’s now a hot new authentic 1920s Great Gatsby Dance Orchestra in Sydney, staffed by world-touring 1920s jazz specialists, ready to play the music that made the Roaring 20s roar – The Lounge Bar Lotharios…
Greg Poppleton, 1920s singer, with The Lounge Bar Lotharios, 1920s Art Deco Ball 2013, Katoomba. Photo by Brad Bridger
The Lounge Bar Lotharios take you on a trip. They’re like a time machine. In a single moment you’ll find yourself in a Roaring 20s Great Gatsby speakeasy where time stands still. Just you, hundreds of your fellow flappers and dappers, and the hot dance music that made the Roaring 1920s roar…
Dancing to The Lounge Bar Lotharios at the 2013 Art Deco Ball, Carrington Hotel, Katoomba
The Lounge Bar Lotharios‘ ARIA nominated, world-touring musical director Geoff Power conducts three hotcha horns, three sinful saxes (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone saxes plus clarinets), piano (or keyboard), banjo, sousaphone, drums and Sydney’s amazingly authentic 1920s dance band singer, Greg Poppleton
The Lounge Bar Lotharios play original 1920s arrangements of Jazz Age Flapper favourites like ‘Me And Jane In A Plane’, ‘Kansas City Kitty’, ‘Let’s Misbehave’, ‘Do The Breakaway’ and more
The Lounge Bar Lotharios – Sydney’s 1920s Great Gatsby Orchestra at the 2013 Art Deco Ball
The Lounge Bar Lotharios 1920s Dance Orchestra are all world-touring 1920s vintage jazz musicians and band leaders, they include…
Geoff Power, Al Davey (tp), Ben Gurton (tb), Paul Furniss ‘(regarded as one of Australia’s best jazz musicians’ (Wiki) ss, as, ts, cl), Ron Nairn (as, ts, bs, cl), Alan Solomon (as, ts, cl), Dave MacRae (p), Grahame Conlon (banjo), Rod Herbert (sousaphone), Lawrie Thompson (drums) Greg Poppleton (1920s singer)
Greg Poppleton, is Sydney’s only authentic, world-renowned, 1920s dance band singer
Greg entertains. Operatically trained with a 3.5 octave range by the same New York nightclub owner, opera singer and jazz enterpreneur who discovered Bette Midler, Greg is a film and TV actor (Chronicles of Narnia, Moulin Rouge, Underbelly and more) and an award-winning, national vintage jazz broadcaster heard on over thirty radio stations across Australia every week
Lotharios‘ Musical Director, Geoff Power, is a world-renowned, ARIA-nominated, Australian 1920s jazz trumpeter and trombonist and festival headliner
Geoff has appeared at many jazz festivals and clubs around Australia, often as the festival headliner or featured artist
He has toured the US 9 times, played jazz festivals and clubs in New York, Los Angeles and throughout the US including the Bix Beidebecke Festival, recorded a CD in New Jersey with leading NYC musicians including Vince Giordano, and played with many leading US musicians
We look forward to bringing the Roaring 20s to you just like we have in 2012 – 2013 for the:
- Canberra Centenary Roaring 20s Ball
- Great Art Deco Ball Katoomba 2013
- Glen Street Jazz Festival 2013
- 2012 Winter Ball Leura
- Blue Mountains Tourism Awards 2012 & 2013
- Canberra Southern Cross Jazz Club
- Moocooboola Festival 2012
- Penrith RSL
- Sydney Jazz Club Annual Ball 2012
Greg Poppleton & the Bakelite Broadcasters Trio at the Charleston Challenge, Leura Mall, 2 Feb 2013. And the Charleston Challengers broke the World Record for the greatest number of people dancing The Charleston in the one location over 5 minutes. Photo by Ian McLeod. Congratulations, Leura!
Greg Poppleton entertains. Singing songs from the 1920s. With Grahame Conlon, banjo. Paul Furniss, alto sax. Greg Poppleton is Sydney’s only authentic 1920s singer. He has a 3.5 octave range. Vocally trained by the man who discovered Bette Midler
Check out the latest pics of Sydney’s #1 1920s Great Gatsby Dance Orchestra – The Lounge Bar Lotharios – taken at the 11th Anniversary of the Penrith Jazz Club
The Lounge Bar Lotharios will be playing at the, 1. Great Art Deco Ball, Carrington Hotel, Katoomba – also celebrating the 200th anniversary of the first crossing of the Blue Mountains by Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson
2. Roaring 20s Gala Ball, Albert Hall, Canberra – celebrating the Centenary of Canberra
We look forward to seeing you there at these once-in-a-lifetime historical events!
Visit the Orchestra’s website: www.sydney1920sjazzorchestra.com.au. The Lounge Bar Lotharios look forward to playing for your wedding, corporate event, festival and Great Gatsby Film Launch. Contact Greg via the website!
The Lounge Bar Lotharios, Sydney’s 1920s Great Gatsby Dance Orchestra
Greg Poppleton, Sydney’s only authentic 1920s jazz dance band singer
Greg Poppleton, crooner and band leader with The Lounge Bar Lotharios
Al Davey, trumpet, The Lounge Bar Lotharios
Ben Gurton, trombone, The Lounge Bar Lotharios
Geoff Power, trumpet and musical director, The Lounge Bar Lotharios
Grahame Conlon, banjo, The Lounge Bar Lotharios
Horn section, The Lounge Bar Lotharios (l-r) Al Davey, Geoff Power, Ben Gurton
Drums, The Lounge bar Lotharios, Alexander Inman-Hislop
Rod Herbert, sousaphone, The Lounge Bar Lotharios
Saxes and clarinets, The Lounge Bar Lotharios (l-r) Richard Booth, Paul Furniss, David Horniblow
Tony Gardner, piano, The Lounge Bar Lotharios
The Lounge Bar Lotharios, 1920s Speakeasy Jazz Orchestra, Penrith RSL, 1 Dec 2012
Tony Gardner, piano, Alexander Inman-Hislop, drums, The Lounge Bar Lotharios
This film clip of the Sheik Of Araby has quadrupled its views in the last week. Check it out…
BIOGRAPHY
Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters is a Roaring 20s Great Gatsby speakeasy band formed in Sydney, Australia in 2003
The lineup for the newly released Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters CD ‘Doin’ The Charleston‘ is, Greg Poppleton (1920s vocals), Al Davey (trumpet and trombone), Paul Furniss (soprano, alto and tenor saxes and clarinet), Grahame Conlon (tenor banjo), Geoff Power (sousaphone), Rod Herbert (sousaphone) and Lawrie Thompson (drums and washboard)
Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters’ previous album, The Phantom Dancer, was released in 2006
You can see band movies and hear songs at their official website, www.bakelitejazz.com.
And you can now buy the Doin’ The Charleston CD and Mp3s at:
- Bandcamp
- CDBaby
It was great to see the dance floor full and everyone having fun to our 1920s and 1930s jazz and swing
Guests even bought a few of the new Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters’ 1920s CD ‘Doin’ The Charleston‘
Here’s some pictures taken of the Broadcasters towards the end of the fun afternoon as the dance floor was packed. To have Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters at your event, wedding and party, email Greg
Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters with Dancers at Rocksalt, Wollongong, for their 2012 Melbourne Cup Lunch
Greg Poppleton 1920s and 1930s style Swing Jazz Singer with the Bakelite Broadcasters: Al Davey trumpet and trombone, Tony Esterman piano, Darcy Wright double bass, Lawrie Thompson drums
Greg Poppleton, 1920s and 1930s Swing Singer with duo to sextet at Rocksalt Bar and Grill
Bakelite Band Website
Official website of Greg Poppleton & Bakelite Jazz – Sydney’s only 1920s -1930s Singer & duo to sextet Band
Bakelite Jazz CD
Hear & Buy The Phantom Dancer: 14 Swinging Songs from 1926 – 1939 by Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Dance Band at CD Baby
Band YouTube Channel
Latest Greg Poppleton & Bakelite Jazz Clips. Plus lots of Vintage YouTube Weirdness
MySpace
Greg Poppleton & Bakelite Jazz songs from our Phantom Dancer CD and recent live recordings
Charleston Dance Teacher
Kim-lin is a Charleston dance teacher and 1920s enthusiast. She teaches a regular class in Reading, UK, on Thursday nights, and also run workshops before tea dances, vintage club nights, dinner dances, and at festivals and events
