Greg Poppleton, 1920s Crooner, with 10 Year Old Drummer in the Victoria Room

Hello Bakeliters,

Here are a couple of pictures of a special Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters line-up put together for last night’s Sunday Carnival in the Victoria Room, Darlinghurst.

Greg Poppleton, 1920s-30s singer with The Bakelite Broadcasters for Sunday carnival in the Victoria Room, Darlinghurst

On piano was Monique Lysiak from the Siren’s Big Band. On the drums, Damon Poppleton, who is now ten. And that’s me, Greg Poppleton, singing in my fancy new duds and spurning the use of the microphone. (I’ve a big voice, anyway.) Photos are by Jimmy Vargas and, since I didn’t ask whether he wanted his name in this blog, the photo with Damon was kindly snapped by a long-time Phantom Dancer listener.

Damon Poppleton, drums, Monique Lysiak, piano, Greg Poppleton, vocals on St Louis Blues

And look, you can see in a sign on top of the piano in the background. I says, ‘CDs $20′. That’s how much the latest Greg Poppleton and his Bakelite Broadcasters CD is on Bandcamp ($10 digital download, $1 a track), with Paul Furniss, Geoff Power, Al Davey, Grahame Conlon, Rod Herbert and Lawrie Thompson. Aren’t I cheeky?

It’s amazing the people you meet in the Victoria Room, including an early rock-n-roller (and his wonderful partner) who had drummed for Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Annette Funicello amongst others and is now part of the jazz scene in Sydney.

We hope to be back in the Victoria Room in the Spring.

Some good news today is that the 1920s Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters (Trio), with Geoff Power on sousaphone and trumpet, is booked into the new Django Bar in the Camelot Lounge on Thursday evening, 23rd May.

More details closer to the date.

Abby Dobson from Baby et Lulu will be singing in the Camelot Lounge that night.

Camelot Lounge, 19 Marrickville Rd Marrickville

We hope to see you in the Django Bar, opposite Sydenham Station, on Thursday 23 May!

Django Bar in the Camelot Lounge, Marrickville Rd & Railway St opposite Sydenham Station

Kate & Andrew’s Glamorous 1920s-30s Style Wedding

Greg Poppleton & Bakelite Jazz – we get to play for all the best people. Every wedding we play at is warm and wonderful. Kate & Andrew’s 1930s themed wedding at Lillianfels was no exception. What a joy! Kate wrote…

“You were fantastic!!!! Before we entered the room we could hear you from outside. I said to my new husband “listen to them, our wedding is awesome!!!!” You made the party! Thank you so much for coming”

Thank you, Kate & Andrew. Below are some happy snaps of the band taken at Kate & Andrew’s wedding. Please visit our website. We look forward to adding glamorous vintage sparkle to your wedding, too!

Greg Poppleton, Sydney's only authentic 1920s & 30s singer in dinner suit. Kate & Andrew's wedding theme was 1920s

Bakelite Jazz at Kate & Andrew's Wedding

Greg Poppleton singing with Bakelite Jazz at Kate & Andrew's Wedding, Lillianfels

Monique Lysiak on piano. You may know her from the all women Sirens Big Band

Al Davey, trumpet. Like Monique he plays in lots of bands, because he's very, very good

Mark Harris on double bass. Where have you seen Mark before? Lah-Lahs, Monsieur Camembert and top name bands like the Bakelites - because he, too, is very, very good

Laurie Bennett - one of Sydney's top drummers. He's played in all the big theatre and TV bands, backed too many jazz greats to list here and has even played in the big bands of Cliff Richards, Harry Secombe and Liza Minelli

1920s Medley – Bakelite Jazz

I hope you enjoy this short clip of 3 songs from the 1920s by Greg Poppleton & Bakelite Jazz at a Great Gatsby themed corporate party with the lights of Sydney twinkling in the background…

The songs are:
1. Button Up Your Overcoat (Henderson/DeSylva/Brown – 1928)
2. Tea For Two (Youmans/Caesar – 1925)
3. More Than you Know (Youmans/Rose/Eliscu – 1929)

I taken clips of the songs where revellers don’t come up to the bandstand

In Greg Poppleton and Bakelite Jazz are, Greg Poppleton (1920s & 30s singer) Al Davey (trumpet & trombone) Peter Locke (piano) Darcy Wright (double bass) Joel Davis (vintage 1927 drum kit and 1924 temple blocks)

Please visit Greg’s official website www.bakelitejazz.com to find out more about our 1920s – 1930s Hot Jazz & Swing or to book the band for your wedding, corporate function and party

Begin The Beguine – Greg Poppleton Bakelite Swing Jazz Band

Last Saturday, 30 April, Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Swing Jazz Band played for dancers in Penrith. Here’s a clip from last Saturday’s show. I’ll be putting up more clips for you over the next few weeks, including a special rendition of “The Carolina Monologues” from the same show…

Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Swing Jazz Dance Band is a trio to sextet based in Sydney, Australia. We specialise in swing and jazz from the 1920s & 1930s

US Jazz Reviewers have written about the band….

“Poppleton captures the essence of the era with uncanny accuracy. 5 Stars,”
John Gilbert, eJazzNews (US)

“Don’t you just appreciate pleasant surprises? Especially musical ones!
There’s nothing like stumbling across an artist who is fresh, original, filled with musical integrity, and especially one that has a unique perspective on the familiar.
Australian Jazz vocalist extraordinaire Greg Poppleton is such an artist; one whom this reviewer can’t say enough great things about,”
Gerard H Beulah Jnr, JazzReview.com (US)

Greg & the Band are available to play for your wedding, corporate function, house party and event

Please visit the band’s official website at www.bakelitejazz.com to find out more and hear more clips. Or email greg@bakelitejazz.com

And please leave a comment or give the Begin the Beguine clip a big thumbs up on You Tube!

Thank you kindly!
Greg