Under clear blue skies on a lazy Sunday afternoon, the world-renowned Galapagos Duck took to an outdoor stage in front of the Spanish-style arches of Stella Maris College to launch a brilliant new addition to Manly’s music calendar. As an encouraging first-time crowd set up picnic tables in the shade beneath two giant Moreton Bay Fig trees, band member Matt Baker commented: “We could be anywhere… Spain, California, France…”

Showing all their customary brilliance, The Duck showcased the full diversity of their repertoire with pianist Matt Baker and long-time bass and double bass player John Conley on fire, combining beautifully throughout the hour-long first set.

After a short break, guest vocalist Carol Ralph added a sweet interlude of ballads – a perfect accompaniment to the slices of fresh camembert and full glasses of sauvignon blanc being consumed throughout this ‘secret garden’ – then the powerhouse Delilah swept to centre stage to close the show in style.

While the audience remained protected, the sun crept lower and started to shine directly on the band. As she gently dabbed her forehead with a silk handkerchief, Delilah let fly with some classic one-liners that only she could get away with: “Man it’s starting to warm-up up here… I’m getting wet just looking at you guys!” And again … “I stay here much longer and I’ll be getting a tan!”

In the middle of her heart-rending rendition of ‘My Funny Valentine’, a flock of lorikeets flew overhead, chirping their appreciation, causing Delilah to stop mid-note and exclaim: “I have the best back-up singers in the world!” and then continue on without missing a beat. It was a beautiful afternoon holding wonderful promise of more to come.

The second concert in the Jazz Sundaze series will prove a perfect way to warm up for New Year celebrations, taking place on Sunday 30th December. Back to Bacharach features Debby Baker with the Ten to Ten big band and will celebrate the chart-topping songbook of Burt Bacharach and Hal David along with legendary pop divas, Dionne Warwick and Dusty Springfield.

The concert starts at 2pm sharp with tickets from just $15. For bookings and further information, phone 9555 6795.

CC Entertainment’s first show on Sydney’s northern beaches –The Great Gig in the Sky at Dee Why RSL in early November - was a massive success. The bulk of the 400 available tickets to this brilliant homage to Pink Floyd were snapped up pre-show and the remainder sold out quickly on the night

Featuring stunning vocal performances from the likes of Danny Marx-Young, Simon Meli, Zkye and the amazing Miss Minn, together with instrumental brilliance from Mark Taylor (sax & flute) and Joseph Calderazzo among others, the band had the beaches audience in raptures from their first number, Shine On You Crazy Diamond.

The crowd went off when guitar virtuoso, Peter Northcote ripped out solos to make Dave Gilmour blush… and the night finished with two encores as 400 plus punters stood as one, cheering, whistling, clapping their hands and stomping their feet on the venue’s wooden floor.

CCE partner, Martin Contempree, sat back with a satisfied look on his face after the show as he watched fans buying merchandise in the foyer and said: “It was a calculated risk adding this show to the double-header at our spiritual home at The Basement… but it’s certainly paid off. The northern beaches has always been home to great music and thousands of fans, so it’s wonderful to be able to bring them some of the best musicians they’ll ever hear and in such a great room. We’ll be back in February with our Rolling Stones show.”

Contempree paid tribute to the work of Perfect Pitch in marketing the event and has already appointed the agency to do a similar job with the Stones show next year.