Musicians

Tom Salleo joined Hills Big Band as Musical Director in December 2020. In this role, he aims to reinvigorate timeless jazz masterpieces such as those of Ellington, Basie, Nestico, and Holman, while also exploring the exciting avenues of contemporary big band music.

From childhood, Tom was surrounded by a variety of musical influences, including the melodious piano tinklings of his family members. Soon Tom’s own melodies echoed through the house as he began his musical journey on piano at 6 years old, then trombone at 8.

Throughout school, Tom studied both classical and jazz idioms, excelling in music examinations and performing at many festivals. At 14, he successfully auditioned on trombone for the Western Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra and spent 8 years dedicated to the craft of big band styles and honing his jazz improvisation.

After graduating from high school, Tom furthered his studies at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, where he is currently completing his Bachelor of Music Honours. His studies have enabled him to attend international music programs in the United States and Japan, where he has learned from and performed with some of the greatest figures in Jazz today.

Steve Martin lives in the Perth Hills area and has played with a diverse range of bands which have included the WA Arts Orchestra, JT and the Jazzmen, and various Perth jazz groups including Harbourside Drive and Jazzcats.

He currently plays with the South Perth Lions Big Band and the Helena River Jazz Band alongside his trombone duties with the Hills Big Band.

Steve Jew started out as a Tuba player at school but worked his way through euphonium and trombone to wind up on trumpet. A sort of musical weight loss.

Basically, a music fan who plays a bit. A fan of most styles of music. Nothing is off limits, even the Dixie Chicks.

Klaus Backheuer is an experienced electric and double bass player. He has over 6 years of experience in the local Perth music scene. He is a manager and bass player of a guitar jazz band, the “Overflow Trio”, and an active member of the Hills Big Band.

Klaus has been involved in the German music industry for more than 30 years. He has played various styles of music from blues, rock, pop, funk, as well as jazz and world music. He is well experienced in live performances and recording music. His last band before migrating to Australia, a piano trio called ‘Raduga’ (Russian for ‘rainbow’), offered him the opportunity to play together with some extremely talented Russian musicians in Germany and during band tours to north-western Russia.

Cathy is a versatile and vibrant singer who performs in various jazz ensembles and Big Bands including South Perth Lions Big Band.

She also makes up half of the vintage duo, “7th Heaven” who have been receiving race reviews around Perth venues.

She has played in top jazz venues including Ellington and Jazz Fremantle.

Cathy brings her own style ranging from “Ella” to sultry blues.

Cathy’s bubbly personality adds warmth and professionalism to HBB and complements the huge sound of HBB.

She sings from the heart and loves to entertain crowds.

Jeremy Grey (Jes) Tenor Saxophone has a lifetime of experience playing the music of various genres. He started playing in bands in 1960 originally on guitar and then saxophone, in bands from small combos to big bands. He enjoys modern jazz/bebop in the styles of Dexter Gordon, Coleman Hawkins, and bands such as Basie and Ellington.

Jes encourages music of eras past and present with the objective that live performance continues so that the skills of legendary musicians can be appreciated and passed on to future generations.

Karina first picked up a trumpet in high school and has played with the Western Australian Youth Concert Band, WA Youth Jazz Orchestra, Hills Concert Band and now the Hills Big Band over the years.

She has had the honour of playing the Last Post for Anzac Services across Perth including Kalamunda, Mundaring, Fremantle, and the Rats of Tobruk.

As a founding member of the Hills Big Band, Karina is keen to keep learning jazz styles from all the 'jazzo's' in the band and thoroughly enjoys playing with a great bunch of musicians.

In her private life, Karina is a Veterinary Nurse Manager in three separate vet clinics across Perth, and along with her menagerie of pets, she is kept very busy.

Stuart was a classically trained piano and clarinet player as a youngster representing school and show bands in England.

Made the jump to Saxophone after listening to all the solos played in every soul, blues and rock and roll song of any note.

Despite his Dad's love of Jazz Stu never appreciated the finer points until given the chance to play with the Hills Big Band. Big convert now.

Steven Smith was the manager of Theo's Music and has been playing the Trombone for many years.

Steve has played with many bands, including the Hills Symphony Orchestra and the Fremantle Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Claremont Concert Band and other groups as required.

He was the inaugural President of The Hills Big Band (PHiJO) and held that position on the committee for five years.