Featured artists
Dr Paul Williamson, Convenor of Jazz and Improvisation
Dr Paul Williamson is the convenor of Jazz and Improvisation and a senior lecturer at the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance, Monash University. Williamson has established a distinguished reputation as a trumpeter composer producing distinctive recordings of outstanding ensemble performances. As a leader, he’s released seventeen recordings, and has performed extensively internationally and nationally with jazz greats including Carla Bley, Charlie Haden, Eddie Palmieri, Linda Oh, Bill Carothers, Dave Liebman, Paul Wertico, Tomasz Stańko, Kenny Werner, John Abercrombie, Hermeto Pascoal, Aaron Goldberg, Django Bates, Vijay Iyer, Mike Nock, Tony Gould, Nasheet Waits and Mark Helias. https://paulwilliamson.bandcamp.com/
Michelle Nicolle, Jazz and Improvisation Sessional Academic
Michelle Nicolle is celebrated as Australia's finest female jazz singer. Known for her ability to get right to the heart of a song, as well as being an in-the-moment improviser Michelle has continually developed and nurtured her art form with the help of her quartet. Michelle has toured extensively throughout Australia and internationally, with performances including Tokyo Jazz Festival, Jakjazz (Indonesia), Jarasum Jazz Festival (Korea), Turkey, Estonia, Finland, North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Asia Pacific Festival (Russia), Prague Jazz Festival (Cz Republic), and Jazz Potet Bergen (Norway). As an educator, Michelle advocates for the vocalist as an equally respected and valued musical member of the jazz ensemble. Michelle teaches her students about security in the form, time, melody, pitch, and harmony – all whilst supporting the story of the song. Having independence as a vocalist, relying on no other member of an ensemble allows freedom and confidence in hearing and expressing the musical landscape as well as any instrumentalist.
Grant Windsor, Jazz and Improvisation Sessional Academic
Grant Windsor is a pianist, composer, arranger, conductor, educator, and producer from Perth, Western Australia. He has worked alongside various great artists including: Michael Buble, Jose James, Gregory Porter, Jamie Cullum, Lior, Patti Austin, Kyle Eastwood, Sir Michael Parkinson, Stephanie McKay, Sir Tim Rice, Guy Sebastian, Carole King, Pee Wee Ellis, Wretch 32, Lizz Wright, Kurt Elling, and Jean Toussaint. Grant’s conducting credits include the BBC Big Band(UK), Clare Teals Hollywood Orchestra(UK), The West Australian Composer Ensemble (WAYJO), The Deviation String Ensemble(UK), and BBC2 Radio Leeds Big Band. In 2014 he directed his first Prom for the BBC, which was televised live to more than 1.5 million people. As an arranger and orchestrator Grant has worked with some of the world’s greatest orchestras such as The Metropole Orchestra (Amsterdam) The BBC Concert Orchestra (UK), The Dubai Philharmonic (UAE) The Halle Orchestra (UK) and the BBC Big Band (UK).
James Sherlock, Jazz and Improvisation Sessional Academic
James was the winner of the Ike Isaacs International Jazz Guitar Award in 1997. As a bandleader, James has released six albums and collaborated with artists including Sheila Jordan (USA), Cyrille Aimée (FRA), Jeff “Tain” Watts (USA), John Riley (USA), Leroy Jones (USA), Rick Margitza (USA/FRA), Martin Taylor (UK), Megan Washington (AUS), Joe Camilleri (AUS), film composer Howard Shore (USA), The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and The Australian Chamber Orchestra. Most recently, James was asked by renowned film composer François Tétaz to feature on his latest feature film score for ‘The Surfer’, directed by Lorcan Finnegan starring Nick Cage released in 2025. James has toured extensively across the world, his career taking him to over twelve different countries and headline at some of the most prestigious festivals and venues including Montreux Jazz Festival opening for George Benson and Al Jarreau, as well as clubs in Berlin, Munich, Paris, Lyon, Dresden, Prague, Brussels and Bruges.
Louisa Rankin, Jazz and Improvisation Sessional Academic
A dynamic and compelling vocalist, Louisa Rankin’s vocal artistry has been developed and refined over years of continued musical exploration. Louisa has presented her original music at Melbourne’s premier jazz clubs and music venues and is highly regarded as a creative vocalist. She is a founding member of Gian Slater’s acclaimed group, Invenio, an innovative ensemble of improvising vocalists that continues to push the boundaries of conventional ensemble singing. Louisa has also been invited to work with artists as diverse as Tim Stevens, The Monash Art Ensemble, Andrew Murray’s ATM15 Big Band and Darrin Archer. Louisa is a passionate educator, teaching jazz and contemporary voice at Monash University.
Simon Starr, Jazz and Improvisation Sessional Academic
Simon Starr has a deep love of all types of music. Simon's grooves and idiosyncratic melodic invention have featured in every type of Australian and International music, both here and overseas. Starr has featured on over 50 recordings as a bassist, and has performed with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Greg Hutchinson, Mark Levine, Dave Samuels, Eli Degibri, Omri Mor, Ian Moss, Joe Camilleri, Suze DeMarche, Oldman River, Lior, Doug DeVries, Lliam Freeman, and Martha Baartz.
Antony Floyd, Jazz and Improvisation Sessional Academic
Tony Floyd is a highly respected Australian drummer, percussionist and singer known for his versatility across Jazz, Rock, Pop, and Folk genres. Beginning his drumming journey at the age of eight and turning professional by fifteen, he has built a remarkable career both in Australia and internationally. Tony has performed as a drummer and percussionist locally and internationally for over four decades. His creativity, adaptability and versatility keeps him highly in demand, especially as a singing drummer, and he continues to bring his energy and skill to stage and recording.
2026 JAZZ AND IMPROVISATION AUDITION PREPARATION SHORT COURSE
Sunday 30 August 2026, 10am-3pm
Check-in opens at 9.45am