Swinging Jazz, Smooth Latin, Warm Blues and Rising Soul. These lucky people take their fun seriously and enjoy a jazz journey every time they perform. This is obvious when they go to work. Whether presenting a Duo, Trio or Quartet outfit, you will be intoxicated by their Swing, Dance, Groove and Playful energy... it's contagious. Fronted by the soulful Vocals of Tania Vida Petrini with percussion.
Tania has performed prolifically for over 30 years with many experienced and passionate musicians such as Bruce Millar, Jem Challender, Robbie Melville, Ben Gibbons, Jack Pantazis, Barry Deenick, Wayne Parker, Doug Kuhn and Laurie Bell to name but a few. Tania has taken Vida Jazz to many venues in and around Central Victoria, Melbourne, and the coast, including many private functions and weddings. She has a vast repertoire of carefully selected songs that have meaning to her. Swinging straight ahead, bending to a Latin, squeezing every drop from a Ballad, or removing the roof with the Blues or Soul. They stay in tight for the fun. Vida Jazz undeniably delivers cool jazz and you will not be disappointed. The experience, love and expertise of these musicians is obvious when they go to work. Castlemaine-based Jazz pianist and composer, and author Jem Challender (Little Horse, The Anticlinal Fold) is a key part of the Vida Jazz rhythm section. Jem is an honours graduate of the Australian Institute of Music, studying improvisation with George Golla and David MacRae. After completing his studies, Jem moved to the UK, spending 15 years performing and writing in collaboration with lyricists Debra Blaquiere and Stuart Weir. In 2017, Jem relocated to Victoria with his family. Jem is a winner of the Australia Song Writing competition and you can pick up his book, Terroir at Stonemans, Castlemaine. Bruce Millar, Jazz bassist and guitarist, has worked consistently with Vida Jazz for over 30 years. Bruce has been playing music for over 50 years. Starting with Pop then taking an interest in the Classical Guitar. He undertook formal study whilst performing regularly with a plucked string orchestra, ensembles, duos and solo. The early 90's saw him dabbling in jazz music. This new passion led to the double bass and jazz guitar. He can be seen around the venues of Central Victoria and the coast playing his chosen trade of music. Robbie Melville is a guitarist and composer. A Masters graduate from Monash University, his unique, charismatic and sensitive playing has led to working with artists as diverse as Shane Howard, the Australian Pops Orchestra, Carl Pannuzzo, Liz Frencham, Shane Howard and Mary Doumany. His own ensembles, cleverhorse and Antelodic, have released multiple albums. He won the 2016 Orkeztra Glasso Bashalde Composition Competition with “Tango in Pusan”, and the 2018 International Songwriting Competition with the song “Junkyard”. Antelodic’s latest release “To Iceland! To Iceland!” was released on the ABC Jazz label in March 2020. Mathew Bishop is one of the leading drummers in the Maryborough jazz scene, Matthew is equally at home in traditional New Orleans styles, as he is playing Bop. Matthew has a special interest in using 1920s drums, drumming styles and techniques, and applying them creatively to more modern music. Vida Jazz always delivers a solid line-up of talented musicians ensuring that you receive the best of entertainment, dance, fun, laughter and groove.