Swing that Music - A Celebration of Louis Armstrong
Gianni Marinucci- Trumpet and Vocals
Paul Williamson - Saxophone
Simon Wigney - Guitar
Ben Gibbons - Double bass
Arron Light - Drums

A truly stellar band will showcase the music of one of music’s most loved performers. 'Sachmo' was among the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades and several eras in the history of jazz. More than a great trumpeter, Armstrong was a bandleader, singer, soloist, film star, and comedian.

The concert will feature all the hits associated with Louis Armstrong such as

Mack the knife
Hello Dolly
I’m Confessing
Dinah
When it’s Sleepy Time Down South
Rockin Chair

This tribute concert marks the return of the enormous vocal and trumpeting talent of Gianni Marinucci back to The Coolroom, combining with the equal talent of Simon Wigney on guitar and Ben Gibbons on bass.

'Gianni’s trumpet is like …poetry of the heart, vividly unique, vulnerable, yet filled with emotional depth.' Nick Mondello ‘Live at Bennetts Lane’ 2015

Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops",[2] was an American trumpeter and vocalist. He was among the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades and several eras in the history of jazz.[3] Armstrong received numerous accolades including the Grammy Award for Best Male Vocal Performance for Hello, Dolly! in 1965, as well as a posthumous win for the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1972. His influence crossed musical genres, with inductions into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, among others.[4] [source wikipedia]

"My heart gives a chil
I feel such a thrill
My feet won't keep still
When they swing that music
Rythm like that puts me in a trance
Oh you can't blame me for wanting to dance
From what I understand
It must be just grand
To play in a band
When they swing that music
Oh I'm as happy as can be
When they swing that music for me."
LOUIS ARMSTRONG

Gianni Marinucci ~Trumpet & Vocals - Biography
Trumpeter Gianni Marinucci has had a wide and varied career. As a student he has taken lessons in the USA with Warren Vache, Laurie Frink and Bobby Shew. He has toured internationally to Hong Kong, Thailand and Europe. He has played with many seminal Australian jazz figures such as Don Burrows and James Morrison.He has been a featured performer at many festivals in Australia. Gianni led the late night jazz at the Melbourne International Festival of Brass for its duration.

He is a highly sort after jazz musician who collaborates in many ensembles around Australia. He also heads his own trio, quartet and nonet and is a regular performer at in Melbourne Jazz clubsGianni has released 4 recordings under his own name and has also been featured on many radio broadcasts on the Australia’s national broadcaster, the ABC. In 2009 he opened the Melbourne Italian Festival with a concert of the music of Ennio Morricone. In 2014 Gianni was featured at The Melbourne Recital Centre as featured soloist with the New Palm Court Orchestra. In 2016 Gianni was a featured performer at the 2016 International Trumpet Guild Conference in Los Angeles.

Gianni Marinucci's tonal expressions is to hear poetry of the heart. It is no different here with Live @ Bennett's Lane. From the first few pitches on this vividly unique performance—vulnerable, yet filled with emotional depth—to the joyous last few, the Australian trumpeter and his sidekicks, Colin Hopkins and Frank DiSario provide an enthralling near hour of gorgeous, thought-provoking balladic material. And, given that this is a live effort, any warts that surface seem to be part of the art in a Miles Davis sort of non-silent way.

Paul Williamson Saxophonist - Biography
Paul started his association with the music industry as a busy freelance player with R&B and Rock groups, as well as Big Bands and Cabaret work. This led to offers of touring and recording work. The first of which was with Rock band the DUGITES for a six-week Australian tour. On returning to Melbourne he auditioned for Joe Camilleri’s JO JO ZEP - 12 piece CHA Band (from the album of the same name, to promote the hit singles TAXI MARY and WALK ON BY) This, finally , prompted the decision to try it as a professional musician.

After completing the CHA tour in February 1983, the offer came to tour with English rock group DIRE STRAITS. An initial tour of Australia was extended with the invitation to accompany them to New Zealand playing to in excess of 200,000 people. He then continued with the band for an extensive tour of Japan. On returning to Australia Paul began to freelance- mainly as a Jazz musician with artists such as VINCE JONES and JANE CLIFTON.

Since then he has played with artists and groups including:

BLACK SORROWS (1984), STEPHEN CUMMINGS, DYNAMIC HEPNOTICS JANE CLIFTON (1983 -1992), VINCE JONES (1983-1988), MEN AT WORK (1985 tour of Australia and Japan, RUBY CARTER, CORNELL DUPREE (American guitarist-Melbourne Oct. ‘95), JOANNE JACKSON (American singer- Melb ‘89), BIG JAY McNEELY (American R&B saxophonist), JIMMY McGRIFF (American Hammond Organist- Aust tour ‘90,New York ‘90), LUCKY PETERSON (American Hammond Organist-Melb. ’92), SWINGIN’ SIDEWALKS, ZYDECO JUMP, JEX SARALAAHT NIKO, GEORGE COLEMAN (Studied with in New York 1987) LENNY PICKETT (Studied with in New York 1987)

Presented by the Coolroom as part of the Summer of 2025: Coolroom Jazz.

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Spend the weekend with us and save 10% with a 2 or 3 night accommodation package in our unique boutique Hotel. - Book direct with us and use Code CGW25 bit.ly/northerndirect [subject to availability.]

Supported by the Victorian Government through the Community Support Fund & Creative Victoria delivered by Music Victoria