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South Coast Big Band with Matt McMahon

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The South Coast Big Band has a new collaboration – and it’s full of energy!
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Featuring the incredible jazz pianist Matt McMahon, the 19-piece South Coast Big Band will bring a powerhouse of energy to his specially orchestrated compositions. An all-star line-up of soloists — along with originals and arrangements by Des Cannings, Deven Rahan, and Kyle Eardley — will have you on the edge of your seat for the entirety of the performance.

Matt McMahon is one of Australia’s leading jazz pianists and composers. Winning the Wangaratta National Jazz Piano Award’ in 1999, and the Freedman Jazz Fellowship in 2005 established his place in Australian jazz. In 2010 his trio supported the Wayne Shorter Quartet at Sydney Opera House. McMahon is also the musical director for vocalist and trumpeter Vince Jones. He has performed at music festivals in Australia and Asia, including the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and JazzNow Festival. He teaches in the jazz department at Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Musically directed by trombonist and composer Des Cannings (pictured below), the South Coast Big Band has progressed to being one of the premier jazz orchestras in the country. In 2019 the band celebrated their 10th anniversary by recording and releasing their first album “Alma” which was made up exclusively of music written and arranged by band members from Wollongong as well as musicians from the Wollongong community.

“Matt is a truly virtuosic player. He’s played with almost every musician you can think of, and is most notably known for his work as musical director for Vince Jones. Matt’s compositions offer a real insight into his musical mind and I’m really looking forward to this concert and bringing his music to life. The arrangements will feature some of the SCBB’s  incredible soloists, Tessie Overmyer, Mariela Mulder, Paddy Kelly and vocalist Tiana Young.” 

Des Cannings

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The South Coast Big Band is supported by Wollongong City Council through a live music performance grant. Also supported by the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, the Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA) and Southern Highlands Jazz. 
This is a WollCon Jazz Series event.

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Dr Sue Savage

Director

Sue is an accomplished and seasoned manager with a wealth of experience in government administration and community service delivery. With a strong background in strategic planning, organisational development, community engagement, project planning, and building strategic partnerships, Sue has consistently demonstrated her leadership and expertise and brings a wealth of knowledge to the board. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business focusing on Local Government and Creative Industries from the University of Wollongong, reflecting her commitment to public service and innovative leadership. Sue’s extensive career and dedication to community and social service make her a valuable asset, offering both strategic insight and practical experience to drive meaningful impact.

Anne Mowbray

Director

Anne has been a member of the Wollcon Board since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from UNSW. She is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and an accredited Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. She has taught family law and other subjects at Wollongong University.

For a number of years she has been a subscriber to the Australian Chamber Orchestra which regularly performs in Wollongong . She has been passionate about music and in particular music education to children and adults.

Jake Pearson

Director

Jake has worked in the disability sector for 24 years- 17 of these with Interchange and 7 years as their CEO. Jake is passionate about inclusion and equality for both people with disability and their carers.

He holds an MBA, Bachelor of Commerce, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, as well as completing Diploma’s in Case Management, Community Services Coordination and the AICD Company Directors Course.

Jake is also a committee member on the International Short Breaks Association Board and has been a Director on the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Board since 2022.

Wayne Morris

Director

Wayne is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as being a qualified company secretary and accountant with over 35 years experience in banking and finance. He performed for nine of those years as Chief Executive of IMB Ltd, and the preceding seven years as Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, also with IMB. Wayne’s primary expertise is in the areas of governance, management, accounting, risk management and banking and finance. He has spent his whole life living in the Illawarra and is passionate about ensuring the Illawarra can provide the best possible opportunities and lifestyle for its residents. In 2024 Wayne was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the community.

Dr Terumi Narushima

Deputy Chair

Dr Terumi Narushima is a senior lecturer and Music Discipline Leader at the University of Wollongong. She is a composer, performer and sound designer specialising in microtonal tuning systems. Her works include Tritriadic Chimes, a sound installation for LA MicroFest, Hidden Sidetracks, a composition for custom-made instruments premiered by Ensemble Offspring at Sydney Opera House, and a project to build microtonal flutes using 3D printing. She has worked on theatre collaborations which have been presented nationally and internationally, including Yasukichi Murakami: Through a Distant Lens, Lost in Shanghai, and The Story of Chi. She performs with microtonal ensemble Clocks and Clouds, and her book Microtonality and the Tuning Systems of Erv Wilson is published by Routledge.

Nicky Sloan

Chair

Nicky is the CEO of Community Industry Group. She has degrees in Dementia Care, Community & Environment and Marketing, and a Grad Dip in Project Management. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Honorary Fellow of UOW. In addition to Chairing the WollCon Board, she is Deputy Chair of the Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven Board and an Independent Non-Executive Director of Warrigal, a large not-for-profit specialising in the provision of services for older people.

Her corporate governance and strategy experience extends through a 20+ year career on boards in the corporate, government and NFP sectors.