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Women in Big Band
FREE Pop-Up Jazz Concerts | Saturday 8 August 2026
Join us for two FREE pop-up concerts on Saturday 8 August and experience an inspiring showcase of jazz by women, performed by some of Western Australia’s most talented young musicians.
August 8, 2026 All day
Arts Narrogin is proud to present an exciting stop on the Playing WA Tour, brought to you by CircuitWest and WAYJO. We proudly acknowledge CircuitWest and the Government of Western Australia for their support.
Join us for two FREE pop-up concerts on Saturday 8 August and experience a vibrant showcase of 18-piece Catalyst Jazz Orchestra works by women, performed by some of WA’s finest young musicians. Featuring the best youth music talent in Western Australia, this special program has been created by WAYJO and is directed by Tom Salleo.
These inspiring performances celebrate the creativity, innovation and contribution of women in jazz, bringing exceptional live music to the community in an accessible and engaging way.
No tickets or bookings are required – simply come along and enjoy the music.
Concert Locations & Times
Williams Woolshed Pavilion – 11:30am
Narrogin Reception Centre – 3:00pm
ABOUT WOMEN IN BIG BAND
Women in Big Band celebrates the powerful legacy and ongoing influence of women in large-ensemble jazz. Featuring music by trailblazers such as Melba Liston, Mary Lou Williams, and Toshiko Akiyoshi, alongside contemporary voices including Kristin Berardi, this program showcases the depth, innovation, and impact of women’s writing and artistry in big band music.
The West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra is joined by special guest artist Sue Bluck, one of Australia’s most respected jazz pianists and vocalists, educators, and bandleaders. Sue’s involvement offers a rare opportunity for emerging musicians to work closely with a leading artist while bringing this dynamic repertoire to life on stage.
Bold, swinging, and deeply expressive, Women in Big Band is both a celebration and a reframing, honouring the women who have shaped big band jazz and amplifying the voices that continue to drive it forward.
Big band jazz has always been shaped by extraordinary women as composers, arrangers, instrumentalists, and bandleaders, even when their contributions haven’t always been given the spotlight.
ABOUT SUE BLUCK
Sue Bluck is a Perth, Western Australia–based musician, vocalist, and music educator who has spent her entire professional life working in the music industry across both Perth and Sydney.
Educated in Western Australia, she later attained an Associate Diploma in Jazz Studies from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Over the course of her career, she has performed extensively in gigs, festivals, concerts, tours, and recordings. She has also contributed to music education as a tutor at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, teaching within the Jazz, Contemporary, and Music Theatre departments.
She continues to perform regularly in Perth and regional areas, working with a range of contemporary and jazz ensembles. Alongside her performance career, she is dedicated to teaching and mentoring emerging musicians. Her work includes serving as an examiner and adjudicator for school recitals, an examiner for the Australian Music Examinations Board, an accompanist for school choirs and eisteddfods, and a tutor with the Western Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra Progressions program in recent years.
ABOUT WAYJO
Since 1983, WAYJO has been giving young jazz musicians outstanding artistic and professional opportunities to work with top band leaders, local and touring guest artists, and to participate in regional, national, and international tours and exchange programs.
A unique hothouse for Australia’s young jazz musicians, WAYJO provides the bridge from aspiring musician to industry professional. Our three big band ensembles rehearse weekly and perform a diverse range of jazz styles at Perth’s premier venues, as well as providing entertainment for corporate and private events.
Perth’s vibrant live jazz scene is a testament to the power of the WAYJO experience. Almost every jazz, swing, lounge and big band now performing in Perth has current or past members of WAYJO. Local jazz giants – Jamie Oehlers, Libby Hammer, the late Graham Wood and Carl Mackey – all played their way through WAYJO. Some past WAYJO members making their way overseas include Linda Oh, Troy Roberts, Daniel Susnjar, Graeme Blevins, Becc Sanderson and Mat Jodrell. WAYJO Alumni have taken the music world by storm and pop up in touring rock, pop, jazz and musical stage show bands across the globe.
