We sat down with Steve Foxe, bass player/band leader of Ellipsis Jazz, to bring you a little industry insight from the perspective of one of our most popular acts. Enjoy!
Q. What was it that made you want to get into music?
Steve: I grew up in a musical family, so it’s always been a big part of my life. My earliest memories are getting out Mum’s pots and pans and hitting them whenever my Mum and Dad would play a duet.
Q. How long have you been playing with Ellipsis Jazz?
Steve: I started playing with Ellipsis in 2011 with my two best mates from the Con (the Sydney Conservatorium of Music) – Danny May and Steve (Slam) Lamante.
Q. What’s your favourite party song to play with Ellipsis?
Steve: I think I would have to say Valerie by Amy Winehouse. We always slip this in towards the middle of our last set. People just love the beat of this tune and will always join us on the dance floor.
Q. What, in your opinion, is the best Bridal Waltz song, and when have you seen this song work well?
Steve: I think it would have to be My One and Only Love. Where have I seen this done well? At my own wedding of course!
Q. What’s the strangest request you’ve ever had whilst gigging with Ellipsis, and how did the crowd receive it?
Steve: We did a gig in Hobart earlier this year closing for a corporate dinner. These guys had been down in Tassie all week for a conference, and by Saturday night they were ready to let their hair down and have a good time. The song that was requested was Thriftshop by Macklemore. As a jazz band, we’d never even thought of playing it! Fortunately we had two things going for us – WiFi and a drummer who knew the song, and more importantly was willing to sing it. We performed it in the very next set and it went down with the crowd very well! Obviously an office favourite.
Q. What’s your favourite new song to play with Ellipsis?
Steve: Favourite new song would definitely be Justin Timberlake’s Senorita. Awesome groove. The crowd always love singing along with Edo as well.
Q. And your favourite classic?
Steve: I can’t go past I’ve Got You Under My Skin. We do the Frank Sinatra version, and it doesn’t get much better than that. Swingin!!
Q. What do you think was the best gig you guys have ever done and what made it so?
Steve: Ellipsis did a gig back in October 2012. Despite being only myself (bass), Danny (keys) and Edoardo (vocals), we were still able to get all the guests up on the dance floor for our last set. Edo is such a natural with this – weaving into the crowd, mixing it up with the guests and getting them to participate by finishing off a line to a classic like Mustang Sally. I’m always proud of how well Ellipsis engages with the guests, and how the guys are always able to bump it up a notch right when it’s needed. I reckon we’re the hardest working jazz band in town – the boys give it their all and there is never anything left to chance.
Love your work Foxey, keep it up!
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