From string quartets to jazz ensembles, classical pianists to DJs, Stones of the Yarra Valley has worked with some of the best in the business, so to take the stress out of choosing music for your wedding we have compiled a list of our favourites.

All of the artists and musicians listed below perform regularly at Stones and come with our highest recommendation.

Feel free to contact the artists directly for further information.

DJs

DJ Sam Boon

Sam Boon is Stones of the Yarra Valley's very own
in-house DJ. A sensational pianist and sax player in his own right, Sam has an extensive playlist of tracks to choose from, and can also play piano in the Chapel during your service.

Contact: Steve Frazer - email / 03 9739 0900

BANDS

Combo Bombo

Combo Bombo is a versatile, sophisticated jazz ensemble. The members are talented, young, vibrant musicians who are passionate about performing. They are willing to meet the needs of their clients and are flexible and dynamic in order to accommodate requirements, with the group ranging in size from 3 to 5 performers, with or without vocals. Our combined performance experience leads to a professional and highly entertaining event.

Having performed together at venues such as NGV, Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne Town Hall, Federation Square and many popular function venues, wineries and live music venues around metropolitan Melbourne and rural Victoria, Combo Bombo Jazz Ensemble has the capacity and flair to create an effortless & satisfying musical experience. Most of all, as our name suggests, we aim to create an engaging and fun, yet stylish atmosphere for our audience!

Listen to Combo Bombo:
www.combobombo.com -
just click on 'listen' when you get there

Contact: Nathaniel - email / 0403 711 219

Blue Train

Bluetrain play covers the Bluetrain way.

Bluetrain’s influences are extensive including the best from the past five decades including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Blood Sweat and Tears, Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, Jackson 5, Tom Jones, Lionel Richie, The Doobie Brothers, James Brown and Jamiroquai to name a few.

Drawing from each of these influences enables the band to produce a sound that is inventive, lively and inimitable.

The band has been operating for five years, in which time they have played a variety of venues around Victoria and New South Wales, from the exceptionally big, to the intimately small.

Bluetrain features Joe Salanitri (Vocals), Shannon Deery (Keys), Carlo Morello (Sax and Percussion), Damian Cafarella (Guitars), Will Meeve (Bass) and Matt Gibson (Drums).

Listen to Blue Train:
www.bluetrainentertainment.com

Contact: Shannon Deery - 0423 650 654 / email

The Mimi Quartet

To engage and excite a crowd there is a musical formula that is paramount. Firstly a group of musicians with the skill and technique to play across styles and eras, and secondly you have to love every moment of what you do.

Mimi quartet are able to switch between the coolest ballad, toe tapping jazz standard or up-beat Pop classic. They have an extensive repertoire to cater for any occasion, and can also learn your favourite tunes for your special event.

Whether you require background music for your reception dinner, or a feature band playing center stage, the Mimi Quartet can cater to your every need.

The Mimi quartet met during their studies at The Victorian College of The Arts at which an electrifying musical bond was established.

At the heart of the Mimi quartet is the rhythm section: Tom Gannon, Chris Schurmann, and Dan Marsh providing contagious grooves and infectious rhythm for the smooth vocal stylings of the sultry Mimi Zaetta.

www.mimiquartet.com/listen.html

Contact: Chris Schurmann - email / 0424 814 880

The Peter Miller Band

www.petermiller.com.au

Contact: 0413 756 675

The Snappers



The Snappers were formed in early 2006 out of a desire to perform Jazz, Shuffle and Rhythm & Blues music. The group brings together members and former members of Melbourne bands The Hoodangers, The Band Who Knew Too Much, The Red Eyes and The Cat Empire.

This energetic group features the vocal talents of Ben Gillespie and a host of exciting instrumental soloists propelled by a hard driving rhythm section. The sextet performs a variety of songs in a broad array of styles from the 20's through to the modern day. Although young in age, The Snappers members are no strangers to performing and touring as professional musicians and most have been doing so for more than ten years. The group has toured extensively throughout Europe, Scandinavia and Iceland. They continue a busy schedule playing clubs throughout their home town of Melbourne.

www.thesnappers.com.au

Contact: Ben - 0412 605 625

The Band Who Knew Too Much

Exciting Australian songs propelled by energetic jazz-like woodchop rhythm! Add some strong local lyric, with gang vocal delivery and their unique sound is complete.

The Band Who Knew Too Much are a bona-fide foolproof floor-packing band. For over a decade they have branded their sound around the world; a highly energetic act that is at home singing on the festival stage, busking unplugged on the city streets, or anything inbetween!

The Band Who Knew Too Much embrace the brattiness and flaws of everyday life and turn them into material for an intoxicating party of endless energy - like being stuck in the exact moment of winning the AFL premiership cup and feeling the pain and tears of every losing season drift off your shoulders and disappear in the air.

After 15 years of proving it, The Band Who Knew Too Much are a truly classic Australian band with an undying spirit for the complete abandon and joy we feel when we throw our fines out the window, slam the rent down on the bar and decide there’s no tomorrow - all night long.

www.tbwktm.com

Contact: Matt - email /
03 9489 3559 / 0412 960 268

The Shuffle Club

Despite being a firm fixture in the Melbourne Music scene for close to ten years the Shuffle Club are still able to surprise those who know them whilst blowing the minds and feet of those who are new to the experience.

Their style is most easily described as a hot blend of jazz, swing, blues, and boogie but that hardly does justice to their raw energy and enthusiasm – the kind of energy that will bring you to your feet and onto the dance floor before you even quite know what is happening.

This four-piece line up of sax, double bass, piano and drums, is not the kind of band to sit back on their laurels – all the performers play a vast array of instruments and are singers as well and whilst they work together to create the kind of musical harmony some bands can only dream of, every solo from any player is also pure delight.

It is not only Melbourne’s audiences that have fallen under their spell. The Shuffle Club have spread their influence and fan base by successfully touring in the UK, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and Japan.  Regulars on the festival circuit in Edinburgh and Australia, their name on a bill brings everyone from professional swing dancers and curious old timers to overexcited teenagers.

Every performance is pure enjoyment and madness, the kind of night that leaves you with a stupid smile on your face for days.

www.theshuffleclub.com.au

Contact: email / 0418 500 505

The Tim Watson Band

http://www.myspace.com/timwatsonband

With the successful Australian band taxiride, Tim achieved a Number 1 and a Number 5 album on the Australian charts, 7 Hit singles (with 3 in the Top 10), appearances on national television including Rove, Hey Hey It’s Saturday and The Panel, and also a European tour supporting Tina Turner where she played to a combined audience of over
a million people.

Now Tim has put together a collection of classic, contemporary and Top 40 songs with the aim of providing an exciting and dynamic night’s entertainment, and with a large repertoire the play list can be customised to suit your needs, whether that be a cooler, funkier style of function, to a more upbeat and party kind of show.

Having MC’d and hosted many functions and social gatherings, Tim’s wealth of experience, quick humour, energy and sense of fun are virtually guaranteed to get the party started.

The Tim Watson Band is a cut above your run of the mill band for hire.

Contact: Tim Watson - email / 0411 027 984

Dr Detroit



An unprecedented sonic explosion of 70s disco mayhem meets blaxploitation funk meets 80s pop ecstasy meets psychedelic jazz...and everything in between...

Dr Detroit exude the type of energy and spontaneity that only seasoned performers who have played together for over 10 years can accomplish.

They perform a range of classics in styles incorporating classic soul anthems, dance floor filling Blaxpoitation funk, disco madness, smooth jazz, 80s pop bliss, vintage psychedelia and then some…

Producing a tasty blend of charismatic showmanship and finely honed musicianship, Dr Detroit present a rhythm section second to none, flawless vocals, engaging improvisation, and a dynamic rapport with the audience that is always entertaining and memorable.

http://www.myspace.com/drdetroitband

Contact: Marc Lucchesi - 0401 882 232



The Sweet Lowdowns

Sweet, sweet swing...



Imagine Lester Young and Billie Holiday traveling to Paris and jamming with a stripped down hot club-style rhythm section. Or Mildred Bailey sitting in with Edmond Hall; Charlie Christian on acoustic guitar. This may give an idea of the influences, but the music is truly the result of the harmonious balance of the personalities that comprise it.

The guys are fantastic -
check out their website and book them now!

www.sweetlowdowns.com.au

Contact: Michael McQuaid - email / 0407 263 989

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Amati String Quartet

Amati String Quartet is one of Melbourne's finest chamber ensembles. The Quartet has over fifteen years experience providing beautiful music for major events, corporate functions, private parties and weddings. Amati musicians have performed on stage with renowned artists including Kate Ceberano, Lior, John Farnham, Midnight Oil, ELO, Olivia Newton John, Sir Cliff Richard, Karen Knowles and in 2007 our musicians toured Australia and played at the ARIA Awards with Best Male Artist Gotye.

Named after the famous 17th century Italian violin maker, the members of Amati String Quartet have obtained postgraduate degrees in performance from the Victorian College of the Arts and the University of Melbourne. As free-lance musicians, they regularly perform with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Tasmanian and Adelaide Orchestras.

Contact: Camilla Martin - email / 0408 540 770



Angels on Strings

Violinists & Harpists

Emily - 0405 038 389 / email

Calvin Leung - Classical Pianist

Calvin Leung is already one of Victoria's most sought after pianists for functions and events. Whether it be a wedding, dinner party, exhibition or other occassion for celebration, you can be sure that Calvin will select the right music for the right occasion.

At 21, Calvin has already established himself to be a competent and versatile musician. He performed extensively throughout his highschool years in his hometown of Shepparton at places which include the Sherbourne Terrace and Eastbank. It was there where Calvin began to realise his potential.

www.myspace.com/pianistcalvinleung

Contact: email / 0421 936 776

Bagpipes

John Houghton: email / 9889 2280 / 0419 001 789

Irish Pipers

Tracey Byrne - email / 9702 1551 / 0413 475 268

Harpist

Claire Patti – email / 0418 383 579