Ben van Gelder & Reinier Baas

7.30pm Gala Concert Verbrugghen Hall

Ben van Gelder alto saxophone

Reinier Baas guitar

plus 30min opening act Leah Berry sings Mike Nock

Telepathic duo interplay: A close musical dialogue shaped by years of collaboration, where guitar and alto saxophone constantly respond, provoke and support one another.
Modern jazz with edge and humour: Sharp harmonies, unexpected turns and playful twists that keep the music fresh, surprising and alive.
Balance of structure and freedom: Clearly defined compositions that open into spontaneous, risk-taking improvisation.
Intimate, high-focus listening experience: Subtle dynamics, detail-rich textures and moments of quiet intensity that reward close attention.
Reinier Baas & Ben van Gelder are one of Europe’s most compelling modern jazz duos, known for their razor-sharp interplay, wit and musical curiosity. Guitarist Reinier Baas brings a distinctive blend of lyrical touch, angular harmony and playful abstraction, while alto saxophonist Ben van Gelder counters with a sound that is agile, expressive and deeply grounded in melody.
Together, they create music that thrives on contrast and conversation — intimate yet adventurous, spontaneous yet finely shaped. Their long-standing collaboration allows them to move effortlessly between composed material and free interaction, often blurring the line between structure and improvisation.
Both artists are internationally acclaimed bandleaders and collaborators, active across Europe and beyond, and celebrated for pushing contemporary jazz forward without losing its human core. As a duo, Baas and van Gelder offer music that is intelligent, unpredictable and quietly captivating — modern jazz with personality, precision and heart.
"With saxophone and guitar alone, Ben van Gelder and Reinier Baas sound like an entire orchestra" - Volkskrant
Their performance feels like a "brand new dialect" that is both "accessible" and "strangely beautiful," winning audiences not through force but through "persuasion" - JazzLocal32
The duo is hailed as "truly surprising" and at "the top of their generation" - Jazzenzo
"masterful" and "jazz without the brakes—adventurous, challenging, [and] unpredictable" - UK Jazz News

additional event info

Non-Festival Pass Holders: you can purchase a single ticket to the Gala concert

Festival Info

Due to popular demand, the 2026 SCJF is once again offering festival passes to our jazz loving patrons
The 2026 offers the following festival passes & single ticket variants:-
Gold Pass‍ ‍$179 / 161 / 85
valid 12pm - 9pm to all shows
BUY GOLD PASS
The complete festival experience! includes entry to all festival events including Gala Concert, Jef Neve & Teus Nobel, Kristin Berardi & Florian Ross w/Strings
See what YOU want, when YOU want it and not have to fuss about multiple tickets…just wear your gold pass with pride and enjoy the ride!
All-Day Pass‍ ‍$135 / 117 / 55
valid 12pm - 7.30pm
BUY ALL-DAY PASS
Our most popular ticket and includes access to all festival events (except Gala Concert) between 12pm and 7.30pm
Choose between 24 events showcasing over 140 performers
Afternoon Pass‍ ‍$79 / 72 / 35
valid 12pm - 3pm
BUY AFTERNOON PASS
Pressed for time? On a budget? Got evening plans? Is 26 concerts and 140+ artists too much choice for this jazz lover?
The afternoon pass gives patrons access to all festival concerts between 12pm & 3pm at an affordable price
Twilight Pass‍ ‍$79 / 72 / 35
valid 4pm - 8pm
BUY TWILIGHT PASS
Like your Sunday afternoon Jazz?
Perhaps alongside a drink from the festival bar?
The twilight pass gives patrons access to all festival concerts between 4pm & 8pm (except Gala Concert)
Gala Concert $69 / 62 / 30
BUY GALA CONCERT TIX
our festival closing concert featuring Ben van Gelder / Reinier Baas (60 mins) plus opening set from Leah Berry & Mike Nock (30mins)
entry to this event is either by single ticket or included for Festival Gold Pass holders
Single Tickets $49 / 44/ 30
the following concerts have a limited number of single tickets available for sale
- Kristin Berardi & Florian Ross w/ strings BUY TIX
- Jef Neve & Teus Nobel BUY TIX
click on buy tickets or click here to purchase tickets from the Conservatorium Box Office website
NOTE All shows are general admission and some high demand shows can reach venue capacity…it is advisable to queue early to guarantee entry to your preferred acts however if a venue is at capacity, there will always be an alternative, high-quality act elsewhere at the festival for you to check out
In the case of the Gala Concert, if you have a gold pass or a single ticket you are guaranteed entry to these events
There is no reserved seating at the 2026 Festival except for VIP’s & press
click here to download Festival Program
Studio 1095
Studio 1095 is a creative research project documenting the diverse practices, ideas, and artistic voices shaping contemporary Australian jazz and improvised music. Through filmed conversations, performances, and demonstrations, the project captures musicians speaking directly about how they create, collaborate, practise, listen, and make artistic decisions in real time.
Developed at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Studio 1095 explores jazz as an evolving art form grounded in experimentation, community, embodied knowledge, and diverse improvisatory traditions. Rather than focusing solely on finished performances, the project highlights the processes behind the music — the creative thinking, rehearsal practices, influences, values, and artistic approaches that shape musical work and identity. The project engages with the ongoing conversations around artistic research, aural and embodied knowledge traditions, and the role of improvisation as a form of cultural and creative inquiry.
The films presented at the Sydney Con Jazz Festival 2026 feature leading Australian improvising artists sharing insights into composition, interaction, rhythm, sound, listening, collaboration, and the realities of sustaining a creative life in music today. The featured artists represent a broad cross-section of contemporary Australian creative music practice: established senior figures in Australian jazz, intercultural and cross-disciplinary ensembles, artists working within straight-ahead jazz traditions, and emerging voices from a new generation of improvisers.
Studio 1095 aims to preserve and share these conversations as a valuable cultural, artistic, and educational resource for musicians, students, researchers, and audiences interested in the richness of Australian creative music.
The following four episodes will be on rotation in Room 2003 between 12pm & 8pm at the 2026 Sydney Con Jazz Festival
Evans Robson Quartet
Sandy Evans tenor and soprano saxophone
Andrew Robson alto and baritone saxophone, recorder
Brett Hirst bass
Hamish Stuart drums
“The sandy evans/andrew robson quartet members are close to oz jazz royalty” — John Shand
This collaboration features renowned saxophonists Sandy Evans and Andrew Robson in a dynamic ensemble rich with energy, passion, groove, spontaneity, and imagination. Completing the stellar line-up are the sensational bass player Brett Hirst and brilliant drummer Hamish Stuart.
Evans and Robson have worked together in several projects since the early 1990s including, Ten Part Invention, the Mara Big Band and Robson’s Thomas Tallis Project, but for the first time, the Evans/Robson Quartet sees them join forces to co-lead a small group.
The project features compositions by Evans and Robson that explore a wide range of contemporary jazz and improvised music. Evans’ powerful tenor sound and soaring soprano melodies combined with Robson’s great sense of groove and an uncanny instinct for melodic lyricism create a beautiful and engaging musical dialogue. In Hurst and Stuart, there is one of Australia’s most accomplished rhythm sections generating a funky, joyous improvised space that can be deep, driving, fun-filled, or tender.
Visions of NAR
Jeremy Rose soprano & tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
Zela Margossian piano
Hilary Geddes guitar
Adem Yilmaz percussion
Visions of Nar brings together some of the most exciting voices in Australian jazz; pianist Zela Margossian, saxophonist Jeremy Rose. Together they bring in guests guitarist Hilary Geddes, percussionist Adem Yilmaz and tabla player Bobby Singh. A kaleidoscopic ride through Armenian folk, jazz and fresh compositions with a nod to the fiery Armenian goddess of water, sea and rain, Nar. This musical journey sends a message of hope and celebration of new beginnings, perfect as the world awakens after a long period of disruption.
Visions of Nar formed as part of an ABC Fresh Start commission. In 2021 they performed to a sold out crowd at the Sydney Opera House as part of SIMA’s International Women’s Jazz Festival. Their debut album, Daughter of the Seas, was released ABC Jazz/Earshift Music.
Pocket Trio
Andrew Scott piano
Max Alduca double bass
Tim Geldens drums
The Pocket Trio are a feel-good jazz ensemble with a focus on tight arrangements and groovy pockets. Together they swing with an incredible sense of energy and rhythm, guaranteed to provoke smiles, foot-tapping and good times. They love to re- perform complex and exciting arrangements transcribed from recordings of other classic jazz trios from the Jazz canon, namely those led by Oscar Peterson, Bill Charlap, Christian McBride and Ahmad Jamal. Trio features some of sydneys finest working artists with diverse careers across film composition, session performers and band leaders in thier own right.
Tessie Overmeyer Quartet
Tessie Overmyer alto Saxophone Whilbur Whitta piano
Oscar Peterson contrabass
Jack Rosenzweig drums and cymbals
Tessie Overmyer is one of the most exciting, dynamic saxophone players to emerge from the Sydney jazz scene, in the last few years. Originally from Newcastle,, Tessie completed her Bachelor of Music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, She has performed alongside jazz luminaries including Harry Connick Jr. (USA), Will Vinson (USA/UK), Remy Le Boeuf (USA), Scott Tinkler (AUS), Sandy Evans (AUS), Mike Nock (AUS), and Barney Mcall (AUS); appeared as a guest artist with the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra, as a member of the Australian National Youth Jazz Orchestra, and as a featured performer/composer at the APRA Art Music Awards. Tessie is currently living in New York City, after recently relocating to study a Master of Music at the Manhattan School of Music (MSM).
“Tessie has a natural flow for the future and the ability to speak the poetry of life and death through her horn
— Barney Mcall
Videos edited by David Theak
Recorded at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, 2024, on Gadigal Land
Studio 1095 Human Research Ethics Committee Approval: 2023/809 V1.0 (August 2023)
Studio 1095 is a collaborative creative research project developed by Sydney Conservatorium of Music Jazz Studies lecturers Hannah James, David Theak, and Dr Steve Barry.
6 world class concert halls in one venue
26 concerts & events featuring 140+ musicians
our festival is staged on one day, Sunday May 31, 2026 between 12pm & 9.30pm
a range of affordable ticket options from $29 - $179
for the first time in 2026, limited numbers of single tickets will be sold to premium international concerts in the Music Workshop.
the festival offers a huge variety of artists from newly commissioned & cutting edge works to good-time swing bands
the festival has an acoustic music philosophy avoiding amplification where possible and leaving the control of the sound to those who know best…the musicians!
On behalf of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 Sydney Con Jazz Festival. For our seventh instalment we are thrilled to present an incredible array of styles, artists, ground-breaking ensembles and brand-new collaborations that include some of Australia (and the worlds) finest musicians.
It has been a challenging couple of years for our creative musicians, and our Conservatorium is committed to presenting this boutique festival, the only one of its kind in Australia, to continue to provide professional performance and music creation opportunities for industry leaders and emerging artists alike. With major festivals. Australia wide, no longer being presented, and long standing jazz clubs closing down too, I am grateful for the support of the University and its philanthropists for the continued support of this event.
The Sydney Con Jazz Festival is a collaboration between Sydney Conservatorium’s Jazz unit, the Conservatorium Open Academy and the Sydney Improvised Music Association and this dynamic team has sought to create an event where the musicians and their art is the primary focus. Our concerts are uniquely acoustic in a world where amplification and volume is increasing and with 26 concerts (and over 140 musicians!) the Festival literally has something for everybody.
From cutting edge new commissions and international debuts to the award winning sounds of our café stage, this entire event is housed in a world class venue, held on one day and offers affordable ticket options for the entire community.
Come and join us for a one-day celebration of one of the world’s most vibrant and creative artforms, Jazz.
David Theak
Festival Artistic Director & Senior Lecturer Jazz Studies, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
What will I see & hear?
The Sydney Con Jazz Festival includes 26 concerts, featuring 140+ musicians, occurring in 6 performance spaces at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, on Sunday May 31, between 12pm & 9.30pm
The Festival has a broad range of concerts covering most jazz ensemble sizes and genres from Big Band to solo piano performing popular jazz classics to the new music of today, performed by established international and domestic artists as well as the artists of tomorrow and brand-new collaborations
Browse our artists page and start deciding what you’d like to see and which pass option will suit you best
Also free to pass holders, are performances in the Atrium and various elite student ensembles from the Sydney Con Jazz Studies Course.
How long do shows go for?
All festival concerts are 45mins except the 90min Gala Concert ( Leah Berry & Mike Nock 30mins / Ben van Gelder & Reinier Baas 60 mins) giving patrons time to move between shows and queue for high demand shows.
Atrium shows are varied length based on audience movements, to guarantee all patrons continued access to quality music during peak show times.
Whats on in the Music Cafe?
This year the Music Cafe features all the award winning artists of Australia’s major jazz prizes (Jann Rutherford Scholarship, ARIA awards, Freedman & National Jazz Award Winner) from 2025 performing between 12pm & 7pm in the Music Cafe.
What is a CONVERGE concert?
The CONverge in the atrium series features leading student bands from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and has been curated by students Emma Chau, Sam Leong & Sophia Hunt.
Is there parking at the Conservatorium?
No. There is no public parking at the Sydney Conservatorium. See our Festival info section below for more detail about public transport options for getting to the event
Is there catering?
A range of hot and cold snacks, beverages and drinks will be available for patrons to purchase throughout the day.
Festival supporter Bird in Hand winery will be supplying a range of their delicious wines for patrons to enjoy.
Sydney micro brewery Slow Lane Brewing will be providing refreshing beers from their most recent batches.
Food will be provided by catering company Cupcakes and Canapes.
Terms of entry
https://www.sydney.edu.au/music/about/ticketing-information.html#accordion-3d6fff9df4-item-47b96563db
festival date: Sunday, May 31, 2026
festival time:‍ ‍12pm - 9.30pm‍ ‍
festival location:‍ ‍Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Macquarie Street, Sydney
Getting to the Conservatorium: The Conservatorium is located in the CBD and easily accessible by train, bus, ferry and taxi
By Train:‍ ‍Catch a train to Circular Quay or train/metro to Martin Place and then a short walk to the Conservatorium
By Bus:‍ ‍Catch any bus going to Circular Quay, alight there and a short walk to the Conservatorium
Parking:‍ ‍There is no onsite parking at the Conservatorium, however private parking stations can be found close by on Macquarie Street
Sydney Conservatorium International Jazz Festival
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW, 2001
e: con.openacademy@sydney.edu.au
t: (02) 9351 1400

Sydney Conservatorium Box Office
con.boxoffice@sydney.edu.au
(02) 9351 1222 at the following times: Monday-Friday: 10am-1pm, 2pm-4pm* 
*The Box Office phone is for enquiries only. Ticket sales are not available via the phone. The phone information service is not available on Weekends, public holidays and University shut down period
Dean and Head of School Professor Anna Reid
Festival Artistic Director David Theak
Festival Producer Marcus Hodgson
Festival Co-Presenters Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Open Academy, Sydney Improvised Music Association
Publicist Emma Collison Publicity
Social Media Marketing & Support Lauren White and Geetha Balakrishnan
Graphic Design Amanda Edwards
Production Supervision Anthony Lorenzo, Jarrad Salmon, Lee Edwards
Box Office & FOH Vanessa Agius
USYD Marketing and PR Support Elissa Blake
Website Design & Maintenance David Theak
CONverge in the atrium curation by Emma Chau, Sam Leong, Sophia Hunt