About

Black Fedora Jazz are a quintet featuring vocals, saxophone, piano, guitar and percussion. Black Fedora Jazz features the vocal talents of Kristine Karahalios, Helen Sheldon and Emma Gordon-Smith. The band members include Nigel Bourn, Michael Boehm, Peter Torr and Satomi Ohnishi

We play Jazz standards, a few soul tunes and some re-imagined newer ones with a dash of swing. We're sometimes funky.... and always cool.

We're most comfortable in lounge bars, cafe's and wedding receptions, pre-dinner drinks or cocktail parties. If you are looking for some stylish music for an event, we'd be happy to come along and entertain your guests. Looking to dance? We have plenty of Swing, Soul and Funk to get your night groovin.

We are based in the Adelaide suburbs in South Australia.

Kristine Karahalios - Vocals

Kristine has been singing and performing since the young age of 7 where she began her singing journey in the Australian Girls choir. Kristine has a vast vocal repertoire, however she favors smooth soulful vocals, powerhouse ballards and rich jazz tunes. Kristine has been singing with bands and vocal groups around Adelaide for the past six years, she has been a regular vocalist with Black Fedora Jazz since 2011.

She is also a regular performer at Cabaret live and has featured in numerous musicals with principal roles including Joseph and the Amazing Technicoloured Dream Coat, Pirates of Penzance, SHOUT and the Dusty Springfield Tribute show to name a few. Kristine teaches voice and classroom music at a primary school in Adelaide. Kristine holds a Bachelor of Media Arts majoring in Music and Drama and has completed a one year long Certificate IV in music, majoring in jazz voice at the Elder conservatorium of music, Adelaide University.

Emma Gordon-Smith - Vocals

Emma has been singing for 8 years now and has loved every minute of it. She has been playing in various style bands/duos ranging from acoustic, pop, rock and jazz.

With a big personal love for jazz she enjoys playing with Black Fedora Jazz. Emma is inspired by all artists who really put their heart and soul into the music they play.

Helen Sheldon - Vocals

Peter Torr - Jazz Guitar, Bass, Arranger

Peter's first band was a jazz trio (guitar, bass and flute) playing music very similar to Black Fedora Jazz's repertoire. He has played in a number of bands ranging from soul, rock and jazz on both bass and guitar.

Peter is influenced by some of the great comping players such as Oscar Moore, Nat King Cole's great guitarist. Peter's understated style is the perfect match to Nigel's robust sax style.

Nigel Bourn - Tenor and Soprano Saxophone

A music lover of all genre's. Nigel was drawn to the Sax in his 20's and learned the basics from an old master who'd teach out the back of Cecere's music in the late 80's in a converted toilet!.

After taking a break for a few years Nigel was lucky enough to find a lecturer at the Elder School of Music at Adelaide Uni who was taking on private students, this has reinvigorated his absolute love of jazz

Nigel has played in rock and funk bands - but the love of Jazz and love of players like Dexter Gordon and Stanley Turrentine means he is most passionate about Jazz - "It's a style of music I really enjoy playing."

Michael Boehm - Piano / Keyboards

Michael started piano playing over 10 years ago,during that time he has immersed himself in various styles of music, particularly jazz and blues, to develop his unique playing style.

In 2009 Michael started playing and performing with local bands around Adelaide. Michael was led to Black Fedora Jazz's due it's great sound, eclectic playlist and the passion from all the band for making great music.

Some of Michael's influences include Errol Garner, Oscar Peterson, Diana Krall and many others.

Satomi Ohnishi - Drums / Percussion

Satomi studied and played Jazz extensivley in Japan after spending time in both the school brass band and orchestra.

Since arriving in Adelaide, she has been playing in several bands including blues, rock and latin flavours. Black Fedora Jazz is the first jazz band for Satomi in Adelaide, and her style suits the band perfectly.