Vanessa Perica - guest composer & conductor

2022 ANJO Youth Big Band

Saxophones

Tessie Overmyer 21 NSW

Oscar Bruten 19 VIC

Jayden Blockley 23 WA

Patrick Lefevre 22 VIC

Alec Watts 19 NSW

Trumpets

Harrisson Ball 22 NSW

Ben Bruni 24 NSW

Charlotte Newhouse 21 SA

Arkie Moore 19 NSW

Trombones

Thomas Voss 24 SA

Jasmine Ferguson 20 SA

Cailey Soon 19 NSW

Patrick Atkinson 20 QLD

Rhythm Section

Guitar - Josh Meader 24 NSW

Piano - Jackson Van Ballegooyen 23 WA

Contrabass - Oscar Peterson 23 NSW

Drums & Cymbals - Ollie Shute 21 VIC

Vanessa Perica is a Melbourne based composer, arranger, conductor who is rapidly gaining an international reputation as a jazz composer of the highest order.

She was a finalist in both the Anonimus Big Band (2018) and ‘Scrivere in Jazz’ International Composition Competitions (2020) she has also appeared at the Sydney, Melbourne and Perth International Jazz Festivals.

With the support of Australia Council Vanessa recorded her debut album ‘Love is a Temporary Madness’ with an all-star line-up released (February 2020) to critical acclaim, reaching number 1 on the AIR Independent charts, number 3 on the ARIA Jazz charts, nominated in the Australian Music Prize and AIR Awards, and winner ‘Best Jazz Album’ at the 2020 Music Victoria Awards.

After witnessing the February 2021 performance of ‘Love is a Temporary Madness’ as a Symphonic Suite, premiered by Vanessa and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, her collaboration with the ANJO Youth Big Band is sure to be a festival highlight.

The ANJO Youth Big Band brings together our brightest and youngest jazz stars, aged 18 - 25, from across the nation. Entry to the ANJO Youth Big Band is by competitive, blindfold audition with the successful candidates travelling to Sydney for a week-long intensive with the special guest artist in preparation for this concert.