Adelaide Jazz Festival - Bend

Bend began in early 2020, when guitarist Ryan Smith pulled a bunch of his best friends into a uni practice room to jam. What resulted is their unique combo of jazzy chords, funky melodies and hip-hop grooves - it's a vibe so fresh, it can only be described as “bendy”. The fun, spontaneity and excitement in a Bend show are infectious, and the element of improvisation means that no two shows are alike. With two EPs of their original tunes now out in the world and a host of major gigs under their belt, Bend shows no signs of slowing down.

Kara Manansala – vocals

Dan Isler – trumpet

Ben Uhrig – alto saxophone

Maisie Broadhead – alto saxophone

Giacomo Gutilla – tenor saxophone

Harrison Smith – keys

Cam Tonkin – drums

Simon Possingham – percussion

Jay Fowkes – guitar

Ben Waechter – bass