Fat Wombat Farm Concert - Straight Back Fellows- Gypsy Swing Band

The Straight Back Fellows

This band was formed by two childhood friends Rob Shannon and Nigel Date. They began their musical journey together skipping school to ‘jam’ in Rob’s family farm’s woolshed. Even back then their intention was to create original wondrous epic music together. They studied the best music of the day and learned to play it. In subsequent years Rob would travel to India and be inspired by the music there. This started his deep dive into learning the ‘tabla’ drum and the wild exotic rhythms that were revealed by his comprehensive study.

Nigel meanwhile was honing his craft at getting better at the guitar and working professionally in Sydney.

Eventually they came round to learning the gypsy jazz music of the legendary Django Reinhardt. The need for an ensemble that could work and tour led them on a search for some other unique and dedicated young musicians brought Tim Bradley, an exceptional drummer and percussionist and a bass playing phenomenon John Maddox into their fold. Thus The Straight Back Fellows was formed.

They wrote songs together inspired by their wide range of tastes in quality music of the world and combined that with classic American song book jazz. They shared an oddball humour that immediately made the Fellows stick out from the crowd. Not only are these men brilliant performers of their craft but they aimed to make people happy with their energetic performances. The band took on a character that was funny, classy, full of swagger yet elegant that other musicians were eager to be a part of. This saw the band work extensively with many of the best musicians in the country. 

The band now nears a quarter of a century of existing. The musicians have all toured and worked all over the world. They each have so much to offer the audience and each other in playing together. The Straight Back Fellows invites you to come and share the space with them in what promises to be a thrilling musical adventure in a unique special setting ……