Spectra Jazz Orchestra is turning 10 years old! Come and celebrate with Spectra for an afternoon at Petersham Bowling Club. Spectra Jazz Orchestra is an initiative for young women and gender diverse musicians which builds a bridge between music education on the secondary and tertiary levels, into the professional music world. As the wider jazz community consists predominantly of male musicians, Spectra also empowers and creates a supportive space for its members to grow as musicians.
They play a fun and diverse range of jazz and jazz-adjacent works, with an emphasis on adventurous Australian music, including works composed by members. Spectra has been running since 2016, meaning that 2026 marks a decade of their mission of platforming emerging female and gender diverse musicians!
During this time, they have performed at some of Sydney’s favourite jazz joints, such as Lazybones, Camelot, the Red Rattler and more, and festivals including the International Women’s Jazz Festival, Manly Jazz Festival, and Marrickville Music Festival.
At this performance they’ll also be joined by friends of the band, including past members of Spectra Jazz Orchestra: Monstress, Kali Gillen, and Patchwork, who will play their own vibrant sets.
Monstress
are an all female and non-binary creative collective known for their original jazz-infused grooves with silky melodic hooks and lush harmonies. Monstress includes front woman and bassist Sarah Homeh, drummer/percussionist Hayley Chan, guitarist/graphic designer Adrianna Cicchitelli, and saxophonist/vocalist Jenna Lewis. All members are crucial collaborators during songwriting, composition, and physical/visual media creation.
Kali Gillen
is an active multi-instrumentalist in the music scene in Sydney and beyond, regularly touring locally and internationally. Highlights include performing with Pharos for the Sydney Women’s Jazz Festival, representing Australia with Harbourside Jazz at the Java International Jazz festival in Indonesia, and joining Hilltop Hoods for their ‘Never Coming Home’ Tour in Australia. The release of her EP ‘Amour’ in July, marks the start of her new music and sonic exploration, The KG Project.
Patchwork
(Olivia Diamant, Rowen Yue, Lara Dodd) are a queer, indie-folk trio, who specialise in 3-part harmonies. Having met in USYD’s A Capella Society, they now tell stories about love and friendship, through all original songs, accompanied by guitar and cajon. Patchwork are young emerging artists who put joy into their craft; their sound is whimsical, heartfelt, and honest.
