Finally... A President with Discerning Taste!
by Jo Hogan ~ Director Vintrix Entertainment

What a great start to the year. The globe has seen the appointment of a black American as the 44^th President of the United States of America. Barack Obama, a charismatic leader with a neighbourhood approach, a man who believes that music needs to have....  the audacity of hope.

Some of President Obama’s favourite tunes include Frank Sinatra’s You’d Be So Easy To Love, Nina Simone’s version of Sinner Man, Aretha Franklin’s Think and let's not forget his appreciation for the jazz sounds of Miles Davies, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker. He also enjoys the old school guys such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and Earth, Wind and Fire; music that will soothe his soul amidst the challenges in the ever confronting world in which we now live.

Despite the media reports of economic doom and gloom, the year has started with good news for Australian independent labels with the success of AIR (Australian Independent Records) negotiations with the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission). AIR will be able to jointly offer licenses to broadcasters who air independent artists' music clips. No longer will AIR members be concerned with breaking the 1974 Trade Practices Act regarding competition, enabling Independents to collectively negotiate with the likes of MTV Networks, Telstra, Optus, BigPond, Austar, Foxtel, XYZ Networks & Fuel TV.

Vintrix has an exciting year ahead. Vintrix will soon launch its on-line Jazz Radio Program  – Jazz Trade and continue to work with its overseas alliances in the field of publishing and recording. No matter what happens in the coming months the words of Duke Ellington are a good reminder... music will be there when the money is gone.

Vintrix also delights in welcoming to its stable, Ireland’s famous jazz chanteuse, Maria Tecce. See her bio in the side bar of this newsletter. Born in Boston, USA of Italian heritage and residing in Dublin, Ireland, Maria Tecce has recently returned from a successful tour of the USA East Coast, where she received outstanding accolades.

It’s been said that current economic times reflect the 1930’s great depression. Not since this time has the music industry been provided with an opportunity to open up the next Jazz Age. The Age of Rebellion is upon us, pushing new frontiers, reflecting the sentiment of a brave new world, creating a new distinguished mark on the genre.

In light of this, may I leave you with the words of Rev Wright to the then President Elect, Obama prior to his official inauguration;.......we cannot change what we cannot confront...may the force be with you.

There are lots of great things coming up the pike in 2009, so for those of you out and about, there'll be lots of chances to see my new stuff in 2009.

I'll be recording an album of music inspired by my new show Viva! and the accompanying launch party is going to be a doozy. Everyone on my mailing list will receive an invitation, so if you're not already on there, get on there pronto so you don't miss out on this extravaganza of a bash.

I'll be performing Viva! and jazz programs based around this music, for most of 2009. Look for gigs in Edinburgh, London, Dubrovnik, New York, Boston, Australia, Italy, and lovely old Ireland this year in festivals and venues around the place. Fingers crossed, it's going to be a hot one and I'll be collecting musicians from all over the world to join me on the various stages.

Enjoy it all, it won't be here forever.

Love well, love often,

Maria :-)

JOY 94.9 FM has a special place for many international and local and emerging artists and has been honoured with many awards through the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia. A frequent guest on JOY, Garth recently joined popular program host, Leanne Renfrey in the booth on The Morning Program.

Garth Ploog with JOY Announcer, Leanne Renfrey

Garth & Grand Wazoo
Throughout the month of February, look out for Garth performing with Grand Wazoo at the Blue Diamond every Sunday at 6.00pm. This 15 piece band led by Australia's Ambassador of Soul, Mr John Montesante, pays homage to great Afro-American Soul, Rhythm and Blues legends of the 60's and 70's. Grand Wazoo is acknowledged as a soul institution, having backed and supported many international and local artists including Renée Geyer, Venetta Fields, Max Merritt and Joe Camiller as well as having fostered talents that have become names within the Australian Music Industry such as Kate Ceberano.

Blue Diamond, Level 15 -123 Queen St Melb. at 6.00pm every Sunday

Maria Tecce at The Hennessy Gold Cup Race Day - Dublin, Ireland - Sunday, 8th February 2009
Hennessy represents the United Kingdom's longest commercial sponsorship of a horse race. The inaugural winner, Mandarin was owned by Peggy Hennessy, a member of the Hennessy Company. The Leopardstown Race Course is one of Europe's premier race tracks and Maria Tecce is one of Europe's premier jazz artists. The Hennessy Gold Cup is the most star studded event of the year. Maria Tecce will put an even brighter shine in that star - not to be missed. Perhaps we will be fortunate to have her in Australia for the 2009 Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Garth Ploog at The Sebel - Albert Park - Melbourne, Australia - 14th February, 2009
Vintrix Entertainment is delighted to announce a partnership with The Sebel on Queens Road, Albert Park, which is part of the Mirvac Group. This retro style chic facility has recently undergone a multi million dollar transformation. In 2009, you will be able to enjoy the contemporary jazz grooves of Garth in the newly refurbished, Atrium Bar. Put the 14th February in your diaries, book yourselves a romantic dinner at Sebel’s Windows Restaurant and be swooned away by Garth’s vocals and original music.

Maria Tecce
Elegant, cool, seductive......if Audrey hepburn had ever learned to sing, she would have become Maria Tecce. The Prague Post

Recent addition to the Vintrix stable, jazz chanteuse, Maria Tecce is creating a strong presence in the European jazz scene. Maria's live performances have packed venues in Ireland, UK, Europe and USA. She is considered to be Ireland's most respected female vocalist and Jazz performer, having performed with international artists such as Dionne Warwick. Maria continues to move from strength to strength, performing to ever widening audiences and garnering universal praise from both audiences and critics alike. Vintrix looks forward to working with Maria in bringing her stellar music and beautiful singing to the South East Asian Region.
Wondeful talent! Superb...I will be featuring more of MsTecce in future programs! - Michael Parkinson, BBC Radio 2 - Sunday Supplement.

Acting runs in tandem with music in this versatile performer's life and Maria is regularly invited to work in Irish and UK theatre, television, and film. Multi-talented, Maria also presents her own radio program on RTE Radio 1 (Ireland) and comperes Artist Nights at Hennessey Cognac. 2008 saw her performing in Dubrovnik, Prague, Belfast, Boston and New York with rave reviews..

Boston born, Maria now makes Dublin her home. Her musical career began seven years ago in Europe and she has steadily gained recognition and critical acclaim both as a performer and composer/arranger. Vintrix is working to bring Maria out at the end of 2009. Be sure to check out her website

Songwriter's Profile
Ben Cripps
Over January, Garth Ploog worked with Human Nature's Bass Player, Ben Cripps. Ben has been bassing with Garth for the past 18 months as a session musician. Now the two of them are putting their heads together in the song writing department.

In the early 90’s Ben joined forces with songstress Lisa Maxwell (Kate Ceberano, Wendy Mathews, INXS) and co-wrote 3 songs and played bass on her album, Wish (Sony/Dancepool) which contained two top ten hits in Japan. Ben completed the Associate Diploma in Jazz Studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is currently performing and touring with ARIA award winners Human Nature. who he has been with for over 8 years now. He recently recorded bass on their new album, A Symphony of Hits. He has also worked with Smokey Robinson, Mary Wilson (The Supremes), Paulini , Doug Parkinson, David Campbell and Paul Mac to name a few....

Fan of the Month Mark Smith - Age: 30+ Professional.
Favourite GP song: Blow Your Mind

Mark discovered Garth at the 2008 Midsumma Carnival and has introduced many of his interstate guests to the sounds of Garth through performances ranging from the Blue Diamond through to the John Montesante Quintet.

To be eligible for exclusive invites to Garth's shows, nominate yourself for Fan of the Month. Send an email to entertainment@vintrix.com.au and let us know your favourite Garth Ploog song.