Meet the Band
John Reeves is a versatile musician, skilled as a pianist, accordionist, composer, and Alexander Technique teacher, with a focus on improvised music and multicultural collaborations. After studying classical piano at the Royal College of Music in London, he shifted to jazz. Since moving to Australia in 2003, he has explored diverse musical interests.
For the past decade, he has focused on accordion music, performing with Estampa, The Girl from Greece, Tenzin Choegyl, Kooralbyn, The Shenton Gregory Quartet and George Washingmachine.
John visits CNIMA in Saint-Sauves d’Auvergne in France for continued accordion study and transition to chromatic button accordion.
John Reeves - Piano/Accordion
Eddie Gazani - Guitar
While originally from the heartland of sunshine, music and
soul – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Eddie Gazani who now resides
in Australia, brings the Latin grooves of his home to his unique
sounds.
Inspired by a love of poetry and music from a young
age, he threads the themes of love, politics and humanism
into his lyrics. While also a true love for performing traditional
music like forro, samba and Standard jazz from the golden
age of jazz and Brazilian popular music.
Samuel Vincent is a bassist and educator and has been performing music for the last 25 years. He graduated from QUT in 1997 with a Bmus in classical Double Bass. In 2005 he joined gypsy ensemble Doch with whom he has toured both nationally and internationally and has appeared on their critically acclaimed albums.
Samuel is much in demand as a freelance musician and has appeared with such acts as Laique, Topology, and the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra as well as performers such as Tommy Emanuel, Marina Pryor, Don Burrows, Tom Burlinson, James Morrison, and Meagan Washington. Currently, Samuel is performing with world/folk ensemble Estampa and renowned contemporary jazz outfit Trichotomy.
Samuel Vincent-
Double Bass
Dr Bob Bass- Double & Electric Bass
DrBob is an accomplished bass guitarist and double bassist who performs regularly with local, interstate and international artists. He first listened to Nana Mouskouri as a child on his parents stereo and has loved her music ever since. His favourite pastime is playing funk with his band Funky Miracle and he has produced a number of albums and written and produced scores for a number of short films.
Nick Paras - Bouzouki
Playing bouzouki from the age of 11, Nick Paras has played extensively throughout Australia supporting local and international Greek artists. Having lived in Greece he has played with many famous Greek singers both within Greece and as part of their international tours. Music has been an integral part of his life and as well as being an active performer, Nick also enjoys music composition, music production and listening to all genres of music. Nick is also an accomplished bouzouki teacher with over 20 years experience. When he is not making music Nick enjoys reading, learning and spending time with his family.
Nikolaos (Nikos) Papadimitriou - bouzouki
Born and raised in Athens, Nikos developed a passion for Greek music at a young age, encouraged by his father, a guitarist and music enthusiast. A specialist in Greek music, Nikos is an accomplished bouzouki player who also performs on guitar and baglamas, a smaller bouzouki commonly used in rebetiko (Greek blues).
He began his professional career at 16, collaborating with renowned musician Spyros Polykandriotis and accompanying celebrated singer Nasia Kontopoulou. Performing widely across Athens, Nikos took part in major concerts honouring Greek music legends including Mikis Theodorakis, Stavros Xarchakos, Markos Vamvakaris, and Vasilis Tsitsanis.
Now based in Melbourne with his family, Nikos is an active part of the local music scene, performing regularly at Greek venues such as House of Pan and Theio Theo, as well as weddings, concerts, and private events. He has appeared at major festivals including the Greek Festival of Sydney and the Antipodes Lonsdale Greek Festival Melbourne.
Nikos continues to promote and celebrate rebetiko music in Australia through performances, collaborations, and community initiatives such as Rebetiko Caravan and the Rebetika Jam nights.
Dave Kemp - Percussion
Dave Kemp is a versatile musician whose career spans live performance, recording, musical direction, and tertiary education across diverse styles and ensembles. He has toured Australia as on-stage percussionist for The Lion King Musical and performed with artists including Neil Finn, Diana Krall, and Tommy Emmanuel, while also appearing regularly with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and leading ensembles such as South East Region Jazz Orchestra (SERJO) and Transplanted Rhythms.
Originally trained in orchestral percussion at the Queensland Conservatorium, Dave furthered his jazz studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston on an Arts Queensland grant, later completing a research master’s at the Sydney Conservatorium and releasing his award-shortlisted album Transitions. His recent work includes composing and performing world music influenced by studies in Istanbul, directing major festival projects, and contributing significantly to music education through curriculum development and lecturing roles at the Queensland Conservatorium and Queensland University of Technology, alongside examining for the AMEB.
