We're thrilled to have two skilled programmers forming our artistic team in 2020
Eugene Ball
Multi-award winning Australian trumpeter, composer, arranger and educator, Eugene Ball, has received widespread national and international recognition throughout a professional career that has featured performances with some of the biggest names in music.
Eugene has performed at the Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival almost every year, with groups and artists including the Allan Browne Quintet, the Australian Art Orchestra, Tony Gould, Mike Nock, the Andrea Keller Quartet, Ish Ish, and punk-trad icon, the Hoodangers.
Eugene has received numerous commissions and awards, including second place in the Wangaratta’s own National Jazz Award in 2001.
In addition to his prolific performance and composition career, Eugene is a highly experienced lecturer in many facets of music, and an active supporter of the broader jazz community through his work with the Melbourne Jazz Co-operative.
He brings a diverse wealth of musical experience to his role at the festival, and is honoured to have been asked to help the festival maintain its position as the most significant cultural event in the Australian jazz landscape.
Scott Solimo
Scott Solimo is an experienced educator and professional musician from Wangaratta and has been a member of the festival artistic team since 2017.
Prior to that he was for many years the artistic director of the Community Stage and the Gardens and Blues Stages. He has been involved with the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues Festival since 1996 as a performer with the band Blues Bros 3677 and has also supported such Australian acts as Ross Wilson, James Reyne, Russell Morris, Brian Cadd, Bongo Starkey (Skyhooks) to name a few.
Scott combines a commitment to his local community with a deep love and knowledge of music to contribute across the entire festival, from production to community involvement as well as his main role in programming.
