Spectra Jazz Orchestra

Group Bio 

Spectra Jazz Orchestra is a vibrant 17-piece youth ensemble comprised of talented young women and gender diverse musicians. Spectra is an initiative which builds a bridge for players from secondary and tertiary level music education into the professional music world. As the wider jazz community consists predominantly of male musicians, Spectra also empowers and creates a supportive space for their members to grow as musicians. They play a fun and diverse range of jazz and jazz-adjacent works, with an emphasis on adventurous Australian music, including music composed by their band members. Spectra has been running since 2016 and has performed at some of Sydney’s favourite jazz joints, such as Lazybones, Camelot Lounge, the Red Rattler and more, and festivals including the International Women’s Jazz Festival, Manly Jazz Festival and Marrickville Music Festival. Spectra is directed by award-winning trumpeter/composer Ellen Kirkwood, with Kate Richards as band co-ordinator and administrator. 

Genre

Jazz, contemporary jazz, fusion jazz, Latin jazz and swing 

Musicians' statements

“The community of Spectra is incredibly warm and welcoming. I don’t just feel like I’m making connections with future bandmates, I feel like I’m making friends. The range of ages and experiences means the group has mentorship aspects that I have found really helpful, especially since the environment is so encouraging for personal growth. Ellen champions this, setting the tone and leading with expertise. It is a highlight of my week.” - Lily Knowles, saxophonist

“Spectra has been such a welcoming safe space as a gender diverse musician and just an overall awesome opportunity to develop my big band playing. I couldn't have asked for a better group!” - Teagan Day, trombonist

“I love how much fun we have in Spectra: we're committed to working on a piece and getting it to sound great, and we always rehearse and perform with lots of fun and great energy. This makes Spectra such a great space for us to grow as musicians.” - Sophia Stanton, drummer 

“Spectra, to me, is a safe and encouraging environment that allows for the steady growth of musical ability, experience, and passion. I’ve loved being able to learn from older and more experienced trombonists who I can relate to.” - Rafiya Macpherson, trombonist

“Spectra Jazz Orchestra has given me the amazing opportunity to play with other like-minded women and gender diverse musicians, expanding my connections in the music industry. We also get the chance to perform unique big band charts and original compositions!" - Emma Chau, saxophonist

Current work and inspiration

In 2024, Spectra have worked hard on an exciting and diverse range of compositions, in a variety of genres such as Latin jazz, funk, swing, ska, and other interesting combinations of genres. They’re also hoping to record a new EP in 2025. They’re inspired by incredible jazz orchestras such as the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Count Basie Orchestra, Sirens Big Band, Divergence Jazz Orchestra and Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society. 

Group's top 5 musicians

Esperanza Spalding
Hiatus Kaiyote
Count Basie
Mosaic 
The Last Dinner Party 

Upcoming Shows

Spectra's last gig for 2024 is at Jazz in the Park, Balmain, playing at 3pm on Saturday December 7th.

You can hear Spectra's debut album Supernova, released in 2023, on Bandcamp or streaming services.

spectrajazzorchestra.bandcamp.com

spetrajazzorchestra.com.au

@spectrajazzorchestra

facebook.com/SpectraJazzOrchestra/