The Stromatolites

Sidney Bechet and Django Reinhardt are the starting point for The Stromatolites, a Perth jazz group that mixes in more contemporary influences too. Simon Charles plays saxophones, Jeffery Harold plays guitar and Leon Pratt plays contrabass. Add a second guitarist and it becomes a manouche, or gypsy jazz, quartet, and there's also a trio of two guitars and double bass. Solo, duo and quintet line-ups are possible as well. The music is jazz standards and gypsy jazz, and the band picks songs to suit the occasion, reading the audience as the set goes. It's toe-tapping rather than loud, which sits nicely under a long lunch or a wedding cocktail hour. They can bring a small PA and need power for amplification. Cover is in place, and they travel within 100 km.