The Sydney All Star Big Band was formed in 1990 by leading Australian trumpet player Ralph Pyl and has fast become one of Australia’s most recognized big band.
Bringing together sixteen of the finest jazz, big band and session musicians in the Australian music scene, the band quickly caught the attention of jazz enthusiasts with its dynamic star soloists and powerful hard swinging treatments of contemporary and traditional big band compositions.
The Sydney All Star Big Band have combined numerous shows for the corporate world with regular public performances at concerts and jazz festivals in Australia.
Versatility is what makes the All Star Band in a class of its own. Whether backing a vocalist or instrumentalist, playing a dance band book on a corporate function, or performing in a festival or concert situation is how this band has built their unique reputation.
The Sydney All Star Big Band has been the backing band of choice for many leading Australian and International entertainers including BMG recording artist Vanessa Rubin from New York, U.S. vocalist and pianist Buddy Greco during his two Australian tours, US trumpet player and clinician Bobby Shew, US saxophonist Bob Mintzer, US trumpet player Vincent DiMartino, US trumpet player Rex Richardson, US trumpet player Wayne Bergeron, US drummer John Riley and recently a National Tour with US vocalist Lisa Simone (daughter of Nina Simone). For the Sydney Festival in 2002, 2003 and 2004, Ralph assembled the big band for world-renowned US composers and arrangers Maria Schneider, Bob Florence and Rob McConnell. They have also performed and recorded with some of Australia's finest artists - James Morrison, Grace Knight, Don Burrows, Anthony Warlow, Frank Bennett, Caroline O’Connor, Darren Paul, Kerrie Biddell, Rhonda Burchmore, Doug Parkinson, Ignatius Jones, Emma Pask, Monica Trapaga, Carl Riseley and Tom Burlinson to name a few. Since 1998, the band has accompanied leading Australian actor and vocalist Tom Burlinson in his production "Frank - The Sinatra Story in Song" a show that has been widely regarded as one of Australia's best ever touring productions. The band was also featured on the movie “The Night We Called it a Day” featuring Hollywood actors Dennis Hopper and Melanie Griffith a film about Frank Sinatra’s controversial tour to Australia in 1974. Australian Idol have also employed the services of the band for their highest rating episodes of big band themed vocal styles. Other recording highlights of the band can be heard on Anthony Warlow’s album “Face the Music”, Frank Bennett’s album “Cash Landing” , Tom Burlinson’s “Frank - A Life in Song", "Now we're Swingin", "Still Swingin", "Sinatra at the Sands" and Ed Wilson's "Swing That Music" featuring Emma Pask and Tom Burlinson. In June 2006, the band had the privilege of performing and entertaining guests at the reception of the highly publicised wedding of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.
The Sydney All Star Big Band is just as the name suggests ... an all star band whose members are the leading jazz, big band and studio specialists in Australia. These musicians are in constant demand, touring and recording with their own projects, while also appearing as "hired guns" accompanying the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
November 2001 marked the release of the Sydney All Star Big Band’s debut album of original material "Doin’ Our Thing" which also gained worldwide recognition and is available on the jazz label "La Brava". December 2004 marked the release of the band’s second album of original compositions “Pyldriver” and is available on the jazz label “Newmarket Music”. In June 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 the Big Band won the annual 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th Australian Mo Award for best jazz ensemble of the year.
Video clip with Wayne Bergeron at The Basement Sydney 2008