The Pearly Shells with Yvette Johansson

Formed around the turn of the century by double bassist Steve Purcell as a Count Basie style dance band, The Pearly Shells Swing Orchestra has evolved over more than 20 years to become a unique Melbourne musical institution. The Pearly Shells mix their own arrangements of 40’s and 50’s big band music with Jump Blues, Swing Jazz, RnB, Boogie Woogie and Latin styles and play it all with the drive and enthusiasm the music demands and deserves. Expect music by Ellington, Basie, Goodman, Ray Charles, Louie Jordan, Billy Holiday, Ella Johnson, Xavier Cugat as well as Pearly’s songs from their seven studio albums.

Joining The Pearly Shells for the show: vocalist Yvette Johansson. Inspired by Barbara Streisand, Aretha Franklin and Gene Kelly, Yvette began singing and dancing at the Johnny Young Talented School aged seven. In 1996 she completed a Bachelor of Music Performance at the Victorian College of the Arts where she studied with Tony Gould, Sue Johnson and Bob Sedergreen. Yvette has been wowing local and international audiences with her dynamic style and vocal excellence. In 1999 she toured Canada as vocalist with the Fireworks Jazz Band then continued, solo, to Sweden to perform in the legendary Pawn Shop Jazz Club Yvette has performed regularly in intimate settings including Bennets Lane, the Kitten Club, Sofi’s and Cha Cha’s; and for audiences of thousands at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, the Melbourne Concert Hall, the Mercury Lounge, and on Good Morning Australia.

We will be clearing some space in the club to dance, so get your glad rags on!

Listen to The Pearly Shells on YouTube

Doors 6.30pm, artist on stage 7.30pm