The catholics
About
The catholics are one of Australia's most distinctive contemporary groups.Their leader, composer and bassist, Lloyd Swanton, is well known across Australia and
internationally for his work with improvising legends The Necks, as well as appearances on over
100 albums, many of them ARIA Award winners, both for The Necks, and other artists including
Vince Jones, Wendy Matthews and Bernie McGann.
With The catholics (always a lower-case 'c') he assembled some of the best musicians in Australia
from a wide spectrum of musical backgrounds. The intention was to rejuvenate the contemporary
jazz sound with an infusion of dance rhythms from around the globe. The result is one of the freshest-sounding new acts in a long time.
Formed in 1991, their personnel comprises: Sandy Evans - saxophones, James Greening -
trombone and pocket trumpet, Julian Curwin – guitar and banjo, Gary Daley – piano accordion and
melodica, Hamish Stuart - drums, and Fabian Hevia - percussion, with the leader on acoustic and
electric bass.
Throughout The catholics' beautifully crafted and instantly accessible pieces runs a strong, seductive dance strain found in the band's various African, Caribbean, Latin and Eastern influences.
This 7-piece ensemble is one of Australia's most popular jazz acts and has crisscrossed the nation to great response. They have won a Mo Award for Best Jazz Group, and three of their nine acclaimed albums have been nominated for ARIA Awards.
The catholics have made big waves outside of their home country too, with releases of several of their albums in North America to critical acclaim. The release of their album Simple in Europe earned them a nomination for the Deutsche Schallplattenkritik Award. Overseas performances have included tours of Canada and Europe, and concerts in Thailand as part of the King of Thailand's Silver Jubilee celebrations.
By taking the catchiness of pop music, and combining it with infectious dance rhythms of the world and indisputably authoritative jazz blowing, The catholics are creating a rare thing indeed - a sound with an instant appeal, physical excitement, passion, and critical credibility.
Says Swanton: "The bottom line for me is that people who come to see a catholics show can enjoy us intellectually or emotionally, or they can just get up and dance".
Date
Sunday 24 May 2026 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM (UTC+11)Location
Dangar Island Bowlo
6-10 Grantham Crescent, Dangar Island NSW 2083
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The catholics
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