Jazz - Swing - Latin Biopedias and Photographs:

Maggie Singing at the very successful "Femme Fatal" Event

Sponsored by the Cairns Tropical Jazz Club:

Kris Kristofferson  and  Neville Hermies live on stage:

"Evergreen" In Residency in the hills at the "Highlander" Julatten

Paul Long-Sax and Vocals-Maggie on Keys (obscured)

Maxwell Stokes Drummer:

FNQ legend - Junior See Poy, Vocals

& Sax's at many "Evergreen" performences

CAIRNS FNQ  VERANDAH JAZZ

The Ensemble Players:

Maggie a well recognised local keyboard player loves to play Jazz  Swing Latin with her polished 'smooth as silk' vocals captivates her audience.

She is passionate about her love of jazz, As a past vice president of the Cairns Tropical Jazz Club Maggies band "Suave Swing" is on the band roster at the club.

Music is Maggies full time hobby as well as manging her delightful holiday destination in sunny tropical Cairns,  FNQ Tropical guesthouse The Floriana Guest House as listed in the Lonely Planet Travelers Guide. 

However when it comes to live music performance and playing Jazz with the band, Maggie plays her compact  Roland Keyboard  along with her Shure Beta58A Microphone for vocals, Maggies very compact JBLProG2 PA system is ideal for small intimate performences at restaurants or auditorium audiences of up to 300

Maggie was born in a country town in Queensland educated at a Catholic boarding school where studying music was a must, Maggie's chosen instrument was the piano.

In the 50's Maggie with her childhood love of swing bands grew up when the fabulous Hollywood Musicals and Crooners and big dance band with giant mirror balls slowly rotating were so popular eg: Cloudland This essence is with her today in her music.

Maggie came back to music in her 60's and completed her advanced diploma of music at the T.A.F.E. Cairns.  

Neville Hermes: Rhythm and Lead Guitar, From extensive work in the Sydney 70's club scene performing with national and international entertainers Julie Anthony - Winefred Atwell - Don Lane - Jimmy Hannan,

Neville moved to Cairns in the 80's worked in the Cairns Jazz scene residencies Dunk Island Pier Shopping Center Cairns he has just returned to live in Cairns after a six year stint in Townsville working on the Jazz scene.

Paul Long : Vocals-Clarinet-Soprano and Tenor Saxophones, Pauls life time interest in music, commenced when he joined the Australian Army Band which involved extensive touring on a National and International level. Paul has backed many famous stars including Wilma Reading - Caterina Velenta - Leslie Uggams and Shirley Bassey to name a few.

Paul also had extensive experience with pit orchestras, performing in such major Australian Stage shows such as “Jesus Christ Super Star” and “Chorus Line”. Paul was a touring member of the Daly-Wilson Big Band traveling the world with their feature artist Marcia Hines.

Maxwell Stokes: Drummer, Melbourne in the 1940's saw him with a Leedy Kit and Zildjian Cymbals. Maxwell had lots of early inspiration from Gene Krupa. In 1950's live music and dancing was big 5 nights a week before the advent of TV. Maxwell with friend's, Mervyn Williams and Barry Stevens set up and ran the "Uptown Club" on Tuesday Nights. 

The Club was in the style of popular community dance events throughout the Suburbs at the time. The Club filled the gap every Tuesday Night, comprising 2 sets with the Mainstream Jazz Band Line up and the middle set with the Brian Brown Quintet.

Some of the players at the club: Stewie Speer Drummer - Keith Sterling and Bob Barnard Trumpet - David Martin Piano - Ken Jones Baritone Sax - Alan Lee Vibraphonist - Gaynor Bunning Vocals.

Maxwell moved to Cairns in 2006 from the Northern Rivers of NSW , having had a number of Bands with Bassist: Bobbe Thornton they worked as a regular rythym section for manty artists at a variety of events over many years, Recent appearances in Brisbane: "The Jazzicals" Trio: In Residence for two years at the Cafe San Marco Waterside Southbank.

Today in Cairns Maxwell plays an old Vintage Italian Meazzi Hollywood Kit circa late 50s, Maxwell uses Regal Tip drumsticks and brushes and Zildjian Cymbals, Drumhead selection the evolutionary Hi Tec Evans EC2 Drum Heads suit Maxwell's off beat drumming style, covering: Jazz-Swing-Funk-Dixie-Latin-Blues-Flamenco-Celtic-Folk-Old Time-Country-Pop and Rock.

Maxwell's Recent appearances with Maggie Nelson

Wind down party and dinner for the annual Cardiac Challenge Bike Ride -Themed Dinner Dance Port Douglas Yacht Club - High season Residency at Rydges Tradewinds Cairns - Jazz and Latin at Cazalys - Pink Ribbon Event Shangri-La Hotel Cairns  - Morning Melody's for seniors at - Brothers Leauges Club Innisfail -Jazz at the popular "1770'Restaurant in Cooktown