Vlad Khusid

Vlad Khusic (1946-2023) led the band from its inception in 2001 to his passing in 2023. He was the spiritual leader and mentor of the band, having been the Jazz teacher for many of the members. Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, Vlad was a prominent Jazz musician in the Soviet Union, performing with the Anatoly Kroll Big Band. After moving to Australia in 1980, he became a student at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, who along with other luminaries such as James Morrison learnt under the tutelage of Australian Jazz great Don Burrows. Vlad joined Sydney Grammar School in 1988 as the Head of Brass, and became the Head of Jazz in 2000, mentoring hundreds of students. Outside of the school, Vlad was a high-profile member of the world music scene in Australia, having won two ARIA awards with Monsieur Camembert in 2002 and 2004, as well as performing at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney.

David Theak

Renowned Australian jazz saxophonist and band leader, David Theak has led the band since 2023. Outside of the band, David is a lecturer of jazz at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and is the artistic director of the acclaimed 17-piece Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra, with whom he had produced three CDs.

History

The band was founded in 2001 at Sydney Grammar School by the former headmaster Dr John Vallance with Vlad Khusid at the helm as a way to keep former students of the school connected to music as they continued on with their professional lives. Since those early days, the band has grown in size, playing at venues around Australia, including the prestigious Angel Place City Recital Hall in Sydney, as well as Jazz Festivals in Wangaratta, Hobart, Darwin and Manly. The band are regulars at the Lazybones Lounge in Marrickville, and have been involved in International Jazz Day celebrations with performances at iconic Sydney locations such as the State Library of New South Wales.