Strings Contemporary

The Strings Contemporary category consists of musicians, chamber orchestras and bands who play classical strings or electric instruments. Their repertoires cover all genres from classical to contemporary popular songs, jazz, folk and everything inbetween.
For string musicians who have a mainly Classical repertoire (eg. Beethoven, Bach) please see Strings Classical.

Janice Preece, harpist is available for all elegant occasions including weddings and corporate events in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Her music will create that very special ambience to make your function outstanding and memorable. Janice plays a beautiful full size concert harp. Her wide-ranging repertoire features classical music, popular music, movie themes, Latin, Celtic and wedding music. Janice is happy to cater for any special music requests and for larger functions. The following ensembles are available: flute and harp duo, or flute, harp and cello trio.

The Lucca Ensemble consists of four dedicated professional young musicians based in Melbourne. Both of the violinists completed postgraduate qualifications with distinction at the Royal Academy of Music in London from 2003 –2005. They have worked with the London Chamber Players, the Royal Academy Soloists, Orchestra Victoria and the Melbourne, Western Australian and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras. The Lucca Ensemble offers an extensive range of repertoire - Classical, Pop, Blues, Tango, Jazz and Folk. The ensemble can also present as a trio or duo in response to individual need.

Formed from the cream of the classical collective, the Enigma String Quartet Sydney offers the highest calibre musicianship and presentation for the discerning client. These young professional musicians have the passion, energy and talent to set them apart and will add elegance and glamour to any occasion.
Performing a vast range of styles from classical to contemporary, the quartet is widely experienced with all types of engagements, from concert hall performances to corporate functions, television appearances, launches, weddings, parties and studio recordings.

Parisienne Swing is an elegant, stylish and specialized act. A four piece Melbourne based group present their “Touch of Paris” feel and smooth jazz sounds to audiences nationally.
Their Repertoire is reminiscent of Parisienne Days gone by, features an original mix of gypsy, jazz and flamenco inspired originals and east European melodies. Jennifer and Martin sing both standards and original songs, hauntingly atmospheric mood pieces as well as fiery up-tempo instrumental passages.

Cross a wannabe rock-star violinist with a straight-laced classical cello player, remove the symphonic safety net and you have String Fever – a dynamic and hilarious modern cabaret duo (now married). String Fever is a high energy and hilarious headline act – most suitable as a 30-40 minute after-dinner entertainment feature. Wife and husband team Jacqui and Brenton Edgecombe combine years of professional orchestral playing with ten years as full-time entertainers to present an act that is unique, top quality – and most importantly – a lot of fun. Book String Fever for your special event and receive the ovation you deserve!

Linda offers a unique and hauntingly beautiful performance blend as a harpist and singer. Combining Celtic heritage and classical training she is unlike any performer in Melbourne. Irish melodies intermingle with mystical songs of the Celts while classical favourites complement the charm that comes only from a song sung in French. For over ten years she continued to charm hundreds of audiences in both Queensland and NSW featuring as a special guest for concert events or creating a subtle ambience for corporate functions and weddings.

Cello Bar – captivating and romantic – background music that creates a buzz. Cello Bar tint the familiar songs and sounds of the piano bar with the elegant and romantic timbre of the cello. Their repertoire of over 200 songs ranges from piano men like Elton, Billy and Peter Allen to Jazz Standards, The Beatles and Broadway. The wife and husband duo (cellist Jacqui and pianist/vocalist Brenton) have taken their music all around the world. No drum machines, no flashing lights, just beautiful and timeless modern music standards performed in unique and sophisticated arrangements. Add a touch of class to your next special event with Cello Bar.

Get ready for Australia's hottest electric string trio, not only do they sound hot, but they look swish and move like weapons of mass seduction. Maske is the leading group in Australia and New Zealand performing classical pop music exclusively on Yamaha Silent Electric instruments.
This show has been specially designed as a high impact spectacle of lights, costumes, zing and intense musical virtuosity! These highly trained performers are currently blitzing the corporate scene with their versions of the virtuoso classics. Their repertoire includes hot arrangements of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" Explosive and Samba and their own original classics.

“A composer with the ability to transcend several musical genres and yet stay firmly focused within his own perceived sound… he is certainly one of Australia's most creative and interesting composers for acoustic music to emerge in the last decade. The word 'genius' I have always reserved for the greats like Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, Richard Thompson and Louie Armstrong, but given the diversity, variation, number of musical genres, and the prolific number of high quality, original compositions of all styles of music Pete has put out on this record, and continues to produce every year, not to mention a back catalogue of finely crafted original songs (that always have something unique to say about the human condition), it's hard not to use the word for him here as well”

Classical music gets a supercharged contemporary twist and these three gorgeous performers’ virtuoso interpretations of great movie, musical and rock anthems are incredible. String Angels - three beautiful girls, three electric violins – one Dynamite show!

Acoustic trio Fly South are a musical adventure, that journey through several genres including folk, jazz and avant-pop. The group was founded mid-2006, with the goal of developing original compositions and contemporary standards in an acoustic setting. They have been compared to several artists including Billie Holiday, Jose Gonzales, and Bob Dylan. Each member has their own distinct style, along with a combined love of melody, harmony and the subtle art of ‘the song’.

Australian romantic piano sensation Fiona Joy Hawkins takes the award winning “Angel Above My Piano” to the upper reaches of the NAR world radio chart. Recorded with some of the finest string players in her native Australia, Fiona Joy Hawkins’ 'Angel Above My Piano' is a sweeping set of romantic piano compositions that is taking the instrumental world by (winter) storm. Hawkins’ collection recently won the NAR (the international New Age Reporter) Lifestyle Music Award for Best Piano Album.

Having received standing ovations on tour with Tommy Emmanuel, Savage Garden and at the Victorian Arts Centre, the Carneval Strings have also typically been described by elated brides as “unique and unforgettable”. Over the past 10 years the Carneval Strings have performed throughout Australia and Asia. They have been regular support artists on ‘Hey Hey It’s Saturday’, ‘In Melbourne Tonight’ and ‘Good Morning Australia.’

Dan Luscombe, Marimba extraordinaire, has teamed up with The String Selection to create a high impact, high energy spectacle of lights, power and intense musical virtuosity. Accompanied by these electric string players with model looks and a huge orchestral track, Dan Luscombe flies around the marimba at high speed leaving audiences breathless.