By Abbey Cannan
A Noosa band with an incredible blind pianist is ready to bring the swing style back to town while getting those hips moving, grooving and shaking.
Swing Easy was formed in 2019 as a trio made up of three long-time Noosa locals with an extensive musical base.
The band features vocalist Carl Beck, keyboard player and music director Adam Bishop, as well as drummer and self appointed rhythm director Jim Bennett.
The trio are eager to entertain crowds and encourage anyone with a private or public event in the region to get in touch.
Carl, known for his flamboyant dress style on stage, said the band was named after a Frank Sinatra album released in 1954 called ‘Swing Easy‘ and their sound typifies that swing style.
“On a monthly basis we play at the local NoosaCare nursing home and it brings the guests to life,” Carl said.
“We’re looking to get out and about and bring more functions to life around Noosa.”
The former Chair of the Noosa Chamber of Commerce and honorary member of the Noosa Heads Rotary Club has had connections with music all of his life, whether it was arranging artists, connecting with big name stars, or as a solo performer.
His band mate, Adam, has been blind since birth but his passion for music enabled him to gain a degree in Bachelor of Jazz Studies.
“The most amazing thing for me about Adam is that he’s not only playing the melody, he’s also playing the baseline,” Carl said.
“Even a pianist with sight has trouble with this but he does it so beautifully and so naturally.”
With over 15 years of playing experience both as solo artist and with band groups, Adam’s perfection and improvisational skills allows the band a lot of freedom.
His musical training was through many sighted and blind teachers, both at school and privately. He was trained in classical music in Brisbane and in jazz by a blind jazz pianist.
“My university lecturers said to me way back in 2004 that every pianist needs to learn a good baseline, as you never know when you’ll need it,” Adam said.
“Our band charges very affordable rates and the music we play is loved by all. It’s a performance that makes audiences dance, sing and relax.”
The trio is made up by drummer Jim, who has had 50 years experience behind a set of drums with a significant part of that time being spent with groups in Brisbane.
Also an honorary member of Noosa Heads Rotary Club, Jim regards himself as the rhythm director of the group to ensure that the trio maintain that swing beat and sound.
The group features a lot of the Sinatra sound from the 40s’ through to the 60s’, and just for good measure they also play some of Elvis Presley’s hit tracks.
Swing Easy will be one of eight groups/artists appearing on stage on Saturday 17 September at Noosaville Lions Park, near the yacht club from 10am.
This event is in support of the five Rotary Club’s initiative ‘Don’t Bottle it Up‘ which is aimed at assisting people and families with mental health issues, including PTSD, to reach out and speak up through a campaign of awareness and potential pathways to recovery.
To book Swing Easy for your next event call 0417393065 or email carlbeck@bigpond.com
Follow them online at facebook.com/Swing-Easy
