We’re beyond thrilled to announce that our very special guest, the amazing trumpeter TOBY MAK, will be joining us on stage when he visits Australia this year. This is going to be a truly unforgettable night—don’t miss it!
Featuring an exciting and creatively charged lineup:

CARLO BARBARO (Sax & Flute)
STEVE SEDERGREEN (Piano)
JORGE ALBUQUERQUE (Bass)
Special guests
TOBY MAK (Trumpet) – from Shanghai
DANY MAIA (Vocals)

These exceptional artists will be joined by BRAZJAZ founder and Brazilian-born percussionist CARLOS FERREIRA (Drums & Vocals) to interpret some of the great Brazilian composers, such as J.T. Meirelles, Edu Lobo, Moacir Santos, and João Donato, along with Carlos’ own compositions. This is Samba Jazz at its best, so don’t miss out!
Watch this short vocal improvisation by Carlos Ferreira on the Girl of Ipanema at the Melbourne Recital Centre in 2023:
https://youtube.com/shorts/voj2mN-AYHQ 

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS

TOBY MAK
Australian born trumpeter Toby Mak is best known as an in-demand sideman and jazz soloist. He is based in Shanghai, China and has worked with great artists from all over the world in a wide variety of genres. Playing trumpet from the age of ten, Mak was mentored throughout his high school years by Motown legend Gil Askey. He has received 3 GMA nominations, two for “Best Jazz Album”.

DANY MAIA, a Brazilian singer from Bahia, blends traditional rhythms like Samba and Forró with Bossa Nova and pop influences. She began her career as a dancer before transitioning to singing, leading bands and performing at major Brazilian Carnivals. Her dynamic music showcases the vibrant cultural mix of her hometown.

CARLO BARBARO is a seasoned saxophonist and woodwind artist from Melbourne, Australia, with over 25 years of professional experience. He has collaborated with a wide range of renowned musicians, including Harry Connick Jr., Maceo Parker, Paul Kelly, and The Cat Empire. Carlo has toured extensively, both nationally and internationally, and performed at leading music festivals worldwide. He is an Associate Lecturer in Music, Jazz, and Improvisation at the University of Melbourne.

STEVE SEDERGREEN is one of Melbourne’s jazz identities, known as a leading pianist, arranger of jazz projects and as an educator. Steve’s passion for teaching jazz as well as his unique hands-on approach uses the best of both worlds – combining the relevant and necessary theory of music with the practicalities of performance experience.Steve formed Mistaken Identity in 1985 while studying at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and led it through numerous incarnations, line-ups and produced five recordings. Mistaken Identity has performed at numerous festivals around the country and other events including the Fringe Festival and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
Steve has been a well-established figure in the Melbourne jazz scene through a variety of activities including director and curator of Dizzy’s Jazz Club (1999 – 2006); 20 years of teaching jazz (including mentoring members of ‘The Cat Empire’) and of course as a constantly in-demand musician over a wide range of performance situations.

JORGE ALBUQUERQUE is a bass player, guitarist, composer and arranger who lives in the city of Melbourne, Australia. Jorge was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He started his career in the late 80’s playing in local clubs and Brazilian jazz bands as Orquestra Oficina and Orquestra de Sax.. In Brazil he studied music with Adriano Gifoni and Nelson Farias. He grew up listening to Brazilian music and Jazz. His main influences are Egberto Gismonte, Hermeto Pascoal, Toninho Horta, Nico Assumpcao, Bill Evans, Chick Corea and Weather Report. Then in 1992 started his career as music teacher , teaching bass in two of the most important schools in Rio, CIGAN and Centro Musical Antonio Adolfo. On that time did a work with Antonio Adolfo Trio, with Pascoal Meireles on Drums. In 1994, he released an album with a band Linha 176. He did his first work with Marcos Amorim recording the album Luz da Lua. He moved to Miami and played with artists as Nestor Torres, Nando Lauria, Leo Gandeman. In Miami recorded an album with Val Lupescu, Vloop trio. When in Miami he studied jazz with great teachers as Gary Campbell, Nike Horta and Denis Marks at Florida International University. From Miami he stated his passion for traveling, what it made a big impact in his music. Working in Hotels and Cruise ships he traveled around the world searching for inspirations and knowledge. Now he lives in Melbourne, Australia, and performing with his own band as well as with Panorama do Brasil, Agostina Bruno, BrazJaz, Suingue Brazuca and Dany Maya .

CARLOS FERREIRA, a drummer from Rio de Janeiro, brings his deep roots in Samba to Australia, where he has been a key figure in the Brazilian music scene since 1985. He founded Melsamba, Australia’s first Samba school, in 1988, followed by BrazJaz in 1991 and Suingue Brazuca in 2007 (watch Suingue Brazuca perform at the Melbourne Recital Centre in 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzp3FgL2eU8). He has performed at major festivals worldwide and is known for his work in Samba Jazz and traditional Samba. In addition to his performance career, Carlos has been a leading educator and event organizer.

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