Tune in during Breakfast to win the album. It’s now available on Bandcamp
Sweet Sue digital download album. Only $7, 15 tracks, at Bandcamp
Playing on ‘Sweet Sue’ are this fine group of world-touring vintage jazz specialists: Paul Furniss (sop. alto, tenor saxes, clarinet) Al Davey (trumpet / trombone) Grahame Conlon (guitar) Darcy Wright (double bass) Mark Harris (double bass) Lawrie Thompson (drums) Greg Poppleton (vocals)
Sweet Sue is a digital download-only album now available for you on Bandcamp
Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters (swing quartet) live, with Greg Poppleton (voc) Paul Furniss (reeds) Grahame Conlon (guitar) Bob Gillespie (drums)
“Greg has captured the 1920s vocal style to perfection,” Kevin Jones, 102.5FM Fine Music Sydney, former jazz critic for The Australian.
We play for clubs, festivals, weddings, corporate events and celebrations. World-renowned 1920s singer and broadcasters. World-touring vintage jazz musicians. The only real 1920s singer and band in Sydney.
Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters ‘Sweet Sue’ album launch. Greg Poppleton (1920s-30s singer) Al Davey (trumpet / trombone) Chuck Morgan (guitar) David Seidel (double bass) Lawrie Thompson (drums)
The launch, at the Empire Cinema, Bowral, was followed by a screening of the motion picture, White Christmas, starring Bing Crosby.
‘Sweet Sue’, is a digital only download available at Bandcamp. 15 great small group swing songs featuring Greg Poppleton (voc) Paul Furniss (saxes/clarinet) Al Davey (trumpet / trombone) Grahame Conlon (guitar) Darcy Wright and Mark Harris (double bass) Lawrie Thompson (drums). Get yours now!
Sweet Sue digital download album. Only $7, 15 tracks, at Bandcamp
The Greg Poppleton Bakelite Broadcasters trio, Greg Poppleton (1920s vocals) Geoff Power (trumpet / sousaphone) and Grahame Conlon (banjo) had the great pleasure playing for the 1920s themed University of NSW Postgraduate ‘Great Postgrad’ Ball in the mighty Roundhouse at UNSW (from where I had graduated all those years ago as a Chemical Engineer).
Many thanks to long time Bakelite Broadcasters and Phantom Dancer radio show fan, Maria, for recommending the Bakelite Trio to the organising committee.
Here are some action snaps of the night. We hope to play for you, too. Contact us via our official website www.bakelitejazz.com.
Greg Poppleton singing the songs of the 1920s at the Great PostGrad Ball at UNSWBakeliter Geoff Power at the sousaphone…and on trumpetBakeliter Grahame Conlon, banjoSing louder!Greg Poppleton singing through the big red megaphone
Book Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters for your 1920s Gatsby speakeasy party. Visit the band’s official website www.bakelitejazz.com
Greg Poppleton had the great pleasure of playing for Jules’ and Kate’s 40th on Saturday evening.
What a beautiful party.
The guests filled the large verandah where we played. Indeed, guests were standing right up to where the band was playing. And we serenaded everyone with uptempo swing and jazz from the 1920s and 1930s, without blasting. So everyone could talk easily while hearing and feeling the atmosphere created by the band.
As Sydney’s only authentic 1920s and 1930s singer, I always feel very honoured by the world-toured greats who want to play in the Bakelite Broadcasters.
In the party band, Paul Furniss, considered to be one of Australia’s greatest ever jazz musicians was on clarinet, Chuck Morgan who tours nationally and internationally with the great Janet Seidel was on guitar and Stan Valacos, who also tours nationally and internationally with the big names in jazz, was on acoustic double bass – no amp – sounded beautiful!
I took some pictures during a band instrumental before the sun set. I hope you like them.
1920s-1930s style singer Greg Poppleton singing for a 40th Birthday Party. Stan Valacos, double bassChuck Morgan (g) Stan Valacos (b) swing it out with Greg Poppleton for a 40th Birthday PartyGreg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters at a 40th Birthday Party. Here’s a pic of the band with Greg Poppleton’s mic in the foreground. Chuck Morgan (g) Stan Valacos (b) Paul Furniss (cl)
All the songs on this album are played live to tape in one go. It was just like the band and I were on a stage. You were in the audience, mobile in one hand, cigarette lighter waving in the other, suzie-q-ing at the same time, mixing decades as I do.
It was such a teeny tiny venue we piled into. I had to lower my voice so my singing didn’t spill into the instrument mikes. Very intimate. Gives the vocals a kind of ‘breaking the stereotype sweet edge’ on songs like the St Louis Blues.
And a southern gentleman strolls in on the second half of Carolina In The Morning. Don’t know where he came from but I instantly liked him and he’s stayed in the act ever since.
I believe in never playing the same song the same way twice, because I can’t. So I’ve put in alternative takes of a couple of songs for you. The drummer went all tango in the third chorus of one take of Am I Blue.
We sincerely trust you’ll enjoy, ‘Sweet Sue.’ And if you do, contribute. Buy a track, or two, or the whole album. Huzzah!
Big thanks to…
Saxes (soprano / alto / tenor) and Clarinet – Paul Furniss
Trumpet and Trombone – Al Davey
Guitar – Grahame Conlon
Double Bass – Darcy Wright
Double Bass – Mark Harris
Drums – Lawrie Thompson
Sweet Sue, the latest swing album by Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters on Bandcamp. My 10 year old son drew the cover during the last school holidays.
On the album, ‘Doin’ The Charleston‘, you’ll hear Sydney’s best, world-touring vintage jazz and swing specialists: Paul Furniss saxes and clarinet, Al Davey trumpet and trombone, Grahame Conlon banjo, Geoff Power and Rod Herbert sousaphone, Lawrie Thompson drums and washboard.
We didn’t get the banana – it was won by a classical pianist who writes ‘healing’ music – but it was a big night.
The MusicOz Awards night kicked off in the Hard Rock Cafe, the place every jazz muso wants to be seen (ahem).A snares, toms and cymbals chandelier in the HR Cafe – signs and signifiers, no doubt, French theorists. I snapped this as I headed for the limo bus which took all finalists to the Star City Events Centre for the awards ceremonyOn the Red Carpet at Star City Casino for the 2013 MusicOz Awards. The photographer said ‘cheese’ so I obliged.The view from pre-awards party on the Star City Rooftop in the twilight. Looking across Pyrmont Bay to Barangaroo and the Sydney Harbour BridgeThe massive stage for the Awards ceremony in Star City. I got in early to take this snap. Through the night, the awards were presented by the creme of Australian independent talent with great music acts in between. I respectfully didn’t take any snaps of the artists. The outstanding performer for me was Adam Katz.
On Saturday 2 November, Sydney’s only authentic 1920s – 1930s singer with trio – sextet, Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters, were honoured to play at Samantha and Tony’s Wedding in the wine making centre of New South Wales, the Hunter Valley.
I’m posting some photos of Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters playing for guests during pre-dinner drinks on the lawn, followed by the quintet serenading guests inside the long Barrel Room at Margan Winery.
Congratulations Samantha and Tony! We always play for beautiful and special weddings. Samantha’s and Tony’s was especially beautiful.
For your 1920s – 1930s theme party, wedding or corporate event call Tony to ask about Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters, Sydney only authentic 1920s – 1930s singer and band:
Greg Poppleton singing during pre-dinner drinks at Samantha and Tony’s wedding, Margan Winery, Broke NSW
We were asked to play the first set on the lawn as a duo or trio for pre-dinner drinks. But a quartet is even better (at no extra cost)! Greg Poppleton (voc) Geoff Power (trombone and trumpet) Chuck Morgan (guitar) Darcy Wright (double bass)
This is the Barrel Room at Margan Winery where the reception took place, taken from where the band set up to play after pre-dinner drinks.
Geoff Power playing trumpet with Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters. The 5-piece band, 1930s swing vocals, trumpet, guitar, double bass and drums fit into a very small space. We were mindful of not intruding on the conversations of guests sitting right up next to the band while still spreading the music so it could be heard softly at the far end of a very long room. As it turned out, the guests closest to the band were already fans of some of the musicians (who are Sydney’s best.). By the end of the night they were also very enthusiastic fans of Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters.
Chuck Morgan, guitar, Darcy Wright, double bass with Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters
Here is one last picture of Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters playing in the Barrel Room, Margan Winery, Hunter Valley for Samantha’s and Tony’s wedding. I was singing, too. But I was taking the pictures so there are no snaps of me in the room. In this photo: Lawrie Thompson drums, Geoff Power, muted trumpet, Darcy Wright double bass with Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters
Remember, for your 1920s – 1930s theme party, wedding or corporate event call Tony to ask about Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters, Sydney only authentic 1920s – 1930s singer and band:
Here’s a YouTube short of the 1920s-style dance orchestra, The Lounge Bar Lotharios, which I hope you’ll enjoy for both the music and dancing.
The short was directed by Chicago-born, Sydney-based director, Justin Lane. It was filmed at a live concert by the orchestra at the Glen Street Theatre in Sydney.
The song is, ‘Breakaway’, or, ‘Let’s Do The Breakaway’, colloquially, written by Arthur Kay for the Fox Movietone Follies of 1929, a lost film.
The Lounge Bar Lotharios play the songs that made the Roaring 20s roar. And in its short existence the orchestra has already played some massive shows including the 1920s themed Gala Dance for the Centenary Celebrations of the Australian capital, Canberra.
The orchestra is lead by myself, Greg Poppleton (singer). The musical director, Geoff Power (gold trumpet), has toured the U.S. 9 times and recorded with Vince Giordano.
The dancers are the Sydney SwingKatz, lead by James Star.
Here’s the latest photo of Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters Trio – Greg Poppleton (Sydney’s only authentic 1920s singer) Grahame Conlon (banjo) Geoff Power (trumpet and sousaphone) – playing the songs of the 1920s at a famous club’s 120th anniversary party.
Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters – Club 120th Anniversary Lunch. (L-r) Greg Poppleton (Sydney’s only authentic 1920s – 1930s singer), Geoff Power (trumpet and sousaphone), Grahame Conlon (banjo)
It was great to be rebooked by this prestigious sporting organisation. They had booked us last month for a bigger party celebrating their 120th with FOUR other bands! Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters were the only one of these bands asked to return – by huge popular demand.
To get your free quote to have Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters (1920s – 1930s trio –sextet) for your party, wedding or corporate event, please visit the Band’s website now, or call Tony Jex 0407 941 263
Actor - Singer - Voiceover 