The Escalators

2016 Jazz Artist of the Year - MusicOz AIMAs
#1 Blues & Roots Chart - triplej unearthed Feb 2016

With more grooves than a record store, The Escalators tip their fedoras to the sophistication of Swing, the funk of New Orleans, & the rhythmic pulse of Jamaica.

The Escalators ‘M.O’ is to cross-pollinate great jazz standards with groove-driven genres, and to graft original compositions onto their swing, soul & reggae roots.

After hundreds of shows together, this band can hold listeners spell-bound in a ‘hear-a-pin-drop’ house concert, or have the floorboards of a School of Arts Hall heaving under the weight of unhinged dancing.

The gorgeous tone of Jenny Blunden's voice embraces you & steals your heart while Lachlan Mackenzie’s guitar weaves with pick-pocket grace through a rhythmic framework rich in interplay between Bradley Parson's upright bass & the drum kit captained by Hayden Moore.

The debut release ‘Felix’ (2014) was a concept record that set a course for the band by acknowledging their major influences: Classic songs from the 1930s to the 1960s infused with fresh flavours from all corners of their record collection, with Syd Green in the producer’s chair.

Thus, ‘The Girl From Ipanema’ became a Brazilian beauty on a Jamaican holiday.
And 'The Sound of Music’ turned into a funky soundtrack to a 1970s car chase.

The success of ‘Felix’ earned an invitation to Noosa Jazz Festival (2015), an East Coast tour & the opportunity to record at the legendary ‘Music Farm’ (Byron Bay) with industry heavyweight Paul Pilsneniks.

The sophomore release ‘From The Hip’ (2016) boasts 5 original songs that honour swing, soul & reggae roots, & continues the band tradition of paying their respects, with 2 very cool interpretations of jazz standards.

Recorded during a peak touring period with a ‘live in the studio’ philosophy, the result is a record that breathes, feeling fresh & alive. You are ‘in the room’ with a band sharpened by time on the road.

The shimmery summer vibe of the first single ‘Open Fire’ and it’s cool coastal video were an instant success reaching #1 on the Triple J Unearthed ‘Roots’ Chart.

Song writing includes commentary on fashion (Get Hip), flirting on the dance floor (Jungle Jive) & first-world problems (Hastings Street Blues), illustrating a band with a wry wit who is not afraid to ‘get down’.

The 2016 South East NSW tour sold out shows in theatres, art galleries, a converted boat-shed, School of Arts Halls, and a surf shop!