Featuring:
Sophie Kesoglidis: violin
Eddie Staszak: accordion
Johannes Luebbers: piano
Sarah Clare: double bass

Red dash black is available to perform at corporate events, weddings, milongas, festivals and all special occasions. 

Repertoire spans from d,Arienzo, di Sarli, Pugliese (style arrangements) to Piazzolla. Famous tangos such as La Cumparsita, Jealousy, Hernando's Hideaway and Quejas de Bandoneon are available. Special guest vocalist is available upon request.
 

For further details or bookings please contact Sophie Kesoglidis on
m: 0418 555 654
manager@altoproductions.com.au
P.O. Box 805, Mount Lawley WA 6929
or visit www.altoproductions.com.au

Born in Melbourne, Sophie commenced piano lessons aged 12 with Joane Simons and viola lessons aged 13 with Simon Collins. She completed a Bachelor of Music Performance degree at the Victorian College of the Arts, undertook further studies in The Netherlands with Henk Guittart (Schoenberg Quartet) and recently completed a Masters of Music Performance degree at Melbourne University. She has toured throughout Europe, China and Australia performing at venues including Royal Albert Hall (The Proms), London and Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam and Sydney Opera House. Since 1989, Sophie has co-ordinated and performed at weddings and events with her string quartet, Alto. In 1996, the company, Alto Productions, was established and has provided the highest quality performances at hundreds of functions. Since 1997 she has worked in Melbourne, Adelaide, Tasmanian and West Australian Symphony Orchestras, with a range of artists including Pavarotti, Jose Carreras, Clive James, Yuri Bashmet, Harry Connick Jnr, Shlomo Mintz, Vanessa Amorosi, George, Tommy Emmanuel, James Morrison, Daryl Somers, Rhonda Burchmore, Anthony Warlow, Marina Prior, Jon Lord (Deep Purple), David Gates, Ben Folds, Kings College Choir of Cambridge, English National and Kirov Ballet companies.

In 2005, she wrote, directed and produced her first stage show, Tango's Violin, which was performed in a sell out season at The Famous Spiegeltent, Melbourne. Sophie performed the lead role in this musical, alternating between leading her band, red dash black and narrating the story. This has since been performed in a second sellout at His Majesty's Theatre, Perth. Her most recent show, Unstrung Heroes, was performed as the opening of the 2007 Cabaret Soiree season at His Majesty's in Perth. It combined comical anecdotes about musicians with a wide selection of favourites played by string quartet. This will be performed again on December 15th at The Famous Spiegeltent, Melbourne. Sophie is currently presenting her first TV show, Sophie's Wedding Guide, on C31 Melbourne, (Wednesdays at 7pm, repeated Saturdays at 8pm & via the net www.c31.org.au) as a 13 week series. In this show, Sophie will unite her knowledge as a presenter, writer, producer & director.

Johannes Luebbers graduated from the WA Academy of Performing Arts in 2006, completing a BMus (Honours), majoring in jazz arranging and composition. He was presented with the 2006 Bob Wyllie scholarship, awarded to the most outstanding graduating jazz student, and was also the recipient of the 2006 APRA Professional Development Award for Jazz, which funded a trip to Europe to study with jazz composers Maria Schneider and Ed Partyka. In addition to this, Johannes was a finalist and a final 14 winner in the 2006 Nescafe Big Break, chosen from over 4000 applicants across all fields from Australia and New Zealand . 2006 also saw Johannes tour to New York City with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) to conduct a performance of his specially commissioned work, Lost and Found , at the International Association for Jazz Educators conference. In 2005 he was awarded the Toyota Melville Scholarship at WAAPA, an award granted to an outstanding graduating student for overseas study. In 2002 Johannes was the youngest participant in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's young composers program, where had the opportunity to have a composition performed by the MSO. That same year he toured to Singapore , Germany , France and England as Associate Musical Director for the Children's Performing Company of Australia .

Born in Perth, Eddie commenced his studies on accordion aged 8. Amongst winning various performances prizes in his childhood, he joined the Perth Accordion Orchestra and later began studying classical piano.

He utilized his skills on keyboard and accordion working in a 6 piece cabaret band, City Limits, performing at various clubs including Italian, Spanish, Sicilian and Portuguese clubs. Since 2000, he has performed at many of Perth's major venues including His Majesty's Theatre, Burswood Casino, Subiaco Theatre, Burswood Dome, Hilton, Sheraton and many more. With his ensemble, Trio Allegra.

He has recorded CD's - 'Live in the Studio' and 'The Magic of Piccini', the latter a tribute to accordionist, Peter Piccini. These recordings have been played on ABC Radio National. With Trio Allegra, he has performed a variety of musical styles including French and Italian songs, jazz standards and gypsy style folk music. Eddie has also recorded 3 solo accordion CDs and has performed live on local WA radio. His versatility as a performer has ranged from accordion soloist, to playing in a country and western band, Men in Black.

Eddie has also performed his own compositions and arrangements. He freelances often performing at weddings and functions as well as enjoying teaching the accordion. Eddie's Polish background has inspired him to explore the music of other cultures, hence he joined red dash black.

Sarah's passion for music began at an early age. She began piano studies aged 7 and continued to A.Mus.A. level. Upon receiving a scholarship to Perth Modern School, Sarah commenced double bass tuition, later graduating with Distinction in TEE Music. Sarah completed her Bachelor of Music Performance degree at the University of Western Australia in 2000, with First Class Honours. During her degree, Sarah was awarded a scholarship to attend double bass workshops with world renowned bassist, Francois Rabbath. Having moved to Sydney in 2001, she began a Post Graduate Diploma (Performance) at Sydney Conservatorium of Music, receiving Distinction grading for her final recital.

Sarah has performed on many occasions with Australian Youth Orchestra and worked professionally with West Australian, Tasmanian and Sydney Symphony Orchestras and Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. Having toured through France, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Japan and Indonesia, Sarah returned to Perth recently to perform with WASO, various bands and ensembles and teach double bass at various schools around Perth.

She has worked with local talents such as singer/ songwriter Nathan Gaunt and enjoys a vast diversity of music. From her interest in Latin America, she has joined red dash black to experience the genre of tango music.

Yvette began singing and dancing aged 7. She was accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts Improvisation course (studying with Tony Gould, Brian Brown, Sue Johnson, Ben Robertson and Bob Sedergreen) completing her Bachelor of Music degree in 1996.

Yvette has been wowing audiences with her dynamic style and vocal excellence. In 1999 she toured Canada as vocalist with the 'Fireworks' jazz band and then continued to solo, to Sweden, where she was invited to sing at the legendary 'Pawn Shop' jazz club. Recently Yvette has won acclaim for her fond tribute to Ella Fitzgerald which has become an annual event. After turning away over 180 people from the sold out event in 2002, the next performance which was held at the 550 seat capacity Trak Cinema also sold out, making it the single biggest selling event at The Melbourne International Jazz Festival 2003. Yvette has followed the success of these concerts with a tribute to Billie Holiday and an evening of Brazilian jazz featuring the works of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Astrud Gilberto, in which she performed some of the songs in their native Portuguese.

Yvette has performed regularly in intimate settings including Bennett,s Lane, Dizzy's, Manchester Lane, the Kitten Club, Sofi's and Cha-cha's; and for audiences of thousands at Melbourne Park, Melbourne Concert Hall, The Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Montsalvat Jazz Festival, The Mercury Lounge, Crown Casino and has been a regular guest on Good Morning Australia.

Other career highlights include singing with Al Jarreau, performing with Lou Zoulof (ex- Blood Sweat and Tears) at the Bennett's Lane Jazz Lab and opening for Vince Jones at Rochford Eyton Winery. She has studied jazz ballet, flamenco and tap dancing and regularly performs works in French and Portuguese. Yvette has earned a loyal and dedicated following in the Melbourne jazz community.

To make a red dash black booking - let us know your requirements in an email or see our contact details