CAMERON OUTTERSIDE

(Drums/vocals)

Cameron is an accomplished Sydney drummer with a great groove, accurate time-keeping and a wealth of experience in clubs, pubs and function centres across Sydney and NSW. He trained with Australian/NZ jazz drummer Barry Woods and had further tuition with jazz/fusion legend David Jones.

As a reading drummer he has backed artists such as John Paul Young, The New Seekers, Little Patti, Peter Byrne, Lucky Starr, Johnny Devlin, Ricky Organ, Melanie Parry, Liz Taylor, David Owen, Danny Elliot, David Stephens, Morgan Kent, Roland Storm, Jaques Renay, Al James and an array of Elvis impersonators.

Cameron’s has played in Sydney bands including The Echoes, The Swinging 60s, The Bandits, Pink Chevies, On The Prowl, McCauleys Raiders and many more. He has also lead several of his own bands playing funk, RnB, latin, jazz, fusion, rock, pop and rock n’ roll. He currently leads three of his own bands -50s/60s band The Hit Makers 4, 3-piece The Hit Makers Trio and retro 7-piece dance band Groovin Hard.

Cameron has drummed in resident bands backing talent quests across Sydney and has filled-in in too many bands to mention. He was a reliable dep in Italian reception lounges and played in amateur productions of Godspell and Joseph and his Technicolour Dream Coat and various University reviews. He has backed countless Elvis Presley impersonators.

Concept shows Cameron has played in include Neil Diamond Experience (Al James), Stars in Your Eyes, Heroes from Heaven, Love Generation, British Invasion, Chuck Berry, The Johnny Show, JOK (John Vickers), Buddy Holly (Paul McCann), Kylie (Carla Marie) and in backing bands for numerous charity events.

Cameron is the musical director of the successful concept show The Hit Makers and taught percussion in various Sydney primary schools for many years, having taught drums privately for about 10 years. Cameron also writes some of the arrangements for his show and bands, sings lead and back-up vocals and plays both guitar and clarinet.

PINO DI MAGGIO

(Bass)

An accomplished and well-respected player with a great feel, Pino has played across clubs, reception lounge and other venues in Sydney for many years. He appears in numerous backing bands for cabaret and Morning Melodies and occasional cruise ship shows.

Pino graduated from the Jazz course at Sydney Conservatorium of Music and works with many acts and shows in the Sydney club scene, including The Hit Makers. He has worked and toured with Simon Gallagher, The Four Kinsmen, Sandy Scott, and others including overseas acts such as Max Pellicano “Elvis to the Max”, Ronnie Corbett, Max Bygraves and Cilla Black.

BRUCE MAINSTONE

(Keys/vocals)

Bruce has more than 30 years experience as a professional musician playing at venues all over Sydney, as well as interstate and beyond in situations ranging from one man band to big bands. He has also served as a more than capable musical director for various concept and tribute shows.

Bruce has played in Sydney shows such as The Hit Makers and Neil Diamond Experience as the main keyboardist and has backed such leading artists as Melanie Parry, Shelley White, Al James, The Drifters, Jade Hurley, Little Pattie, Toni Stevens, Debbie Newsome. His training includes 8^th Grade Piano (AMEB) and Associate & Licentiate Diplomas on Electronic Organ (Aust. Guild of Music Education)

Bruce has also been a Musical Director for numerous shows with Melanie Parry – Vera Lynn, Judy Garland and several singers in the club scene

TRACY ELLIS

(Lead vocals/Percussion)

Tracy, an ACE award winning powerhouse vocalist, began her career in a show called ‘Starz” at Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast. She progressed to multiple appearances on Ray Martin’s “The Midday Show” and numerous other morning variety shows.

In the early 90s Tracy toured with Tom Jones and performed in cabaret and corporate show in Australia and overseas from the 90s to the 00s. Since completing a University degree she is currently working in a range of musical entertainment settings. Tracy’s huge vocal range and exceptional feel continues to impress audiences.

ANITA HARTMANN

(Lead vocals/percussion)

Rising through the ranks of Theatre, TV and cabaret as an actor, presenter, voice over artist and singer since the age of 13, Anita has performed on stages throughout Australia, the US, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, and for audiences on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Costa and P&O.

Her musical theatre credits include West Side Story – Anita, Chess – Florence Vassy, Fiddler on the Roof – Hodel, and Beaudy as Stephanie Henderson.

Show credits include: Single (one woman’s journey), Beehive or Else, FABBA, The Hit Makers, Raven Divas, Frock up, The Sound of Music 50th anniversary tour, The Magic of the Musicals, Swing Time Memories, Quick Change – a journey through time, Carnaby St Divas and When Johnnie Meets Connie.

Anita loves performing, singing, playing her guitar and entertaining her audiences. She shares her love of great songs and artists who have influenced her. She regularly performs with the Remembering the Carpenters Show (Lisa Budin) and in solo and duo settings around Sydney clubs and other venues. Anita also sings cabaret spots in NSW clubs.

ED SCHOTS

(Saxes/flute)

Edwin Schots started his musical career in his native country, the Netherlands, in 1989 studying Jazz Performance on saxophone at the Royal Conservatorium, The Hague, and bass guitar at the Rotterdam Conservatorium. Whilst studying he had the great fortune to play with artists such as Dizzie Gillespie and Pat Metheny and subsequently formed several highly successful jazz, rock and soul ensembles.

In 1993 he moved to Australia and continued his performance career in various Sydney ensembles – ‘United Notions’, ‘Honeydripper’, ‘Heart’n Soul’, ‘What Is Hip’ and ‘Enormous Horns’ to name a few – and expanded his field to include performing in show orchestras – ‘Miss Saigon’ and ‘Crazy for You’ and various latin bands.

Ed is currently active with groups such as ‘Bump City’, ‘Big Old Bus’, ‘That Funny Brass Band’ and ‘Bellhops’ and is sought after as a freelance musician in the Sydney music scene.

Ed’s instrumental skills include doubling on clarinet, bass clarinet and flute. He tutors saxophone, clarinet and bass guitar at several Sydney private schools as well as in his Sydney home studio. His tuition experience spans more than two decades and combines a strong technical methodology with musicality development tailored to individual requirements, in both classical and contemporary music styles.

JAKE WILSON

Jake is a talented musician, having trained originally on keyboards, progressing to guitar later in life. He teaches guitar at various Sydney schools and is a creative and exciting guitarist in many musical settings.

He has performed with Peter Byrne’s Neil Diamond tribute shows, Forever Diamond and Neil Diamond – A Hot August Night and with award winning vocalist Lisa Crouch in many of her shows and cabaret performances.

Jake also plays with an array of country music acts in NSW and is a tasteful player in any setting. He adds energy and great solo virtuosity to Groovin Hard’s performances and diverse retro repertoire.

JENNIFER GRAY

Bachelor of Performance and Theatre graduate Jennifer Gray tours nationally and internationally onboard cruise lines including Regent, Oceania, Viking, Seabourn and Norwegian Cruises, delighting and astounding audiences not only with her powerful and stirring vocals but with her glamorous and captivating stage presence.

Recently Jennifer performed with the Australian Pop Orchestra, and the Adelaide, Perth and Sydney Symphony Orchestras under the direction of internationally acclaimed conductor, Nicholas Buc.

Jennifer’s stunning and diverse vocal ability has attracted lead roles in numerous theatre productions including Tanya in Mamma Mia!, Eva Peron in Evita, Mamma Rose in Gypsy, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar and twice as Fantine in Les Miserables. The latter role earning her a CAT Award nomination for Lead Actress in a Musical.

Jennifer’s performances on television include the Australian National Anthem, live for the Australia vs New Zealand Rugby League Match, for former Australian Prime Minster John Howard. She has shared the stage with the likes of Mark Vincent, Leo Sayer, John Stevens and Doc Neeson. Mark Vincent commented “The next Celine Dion”.

Jennifer has performed throughout Southern England, and has provided vocals for numerous television commercials including Toyota, Holden and Harvey Norman.

She is also a creative and forceful band vocalist, appearing with Groovin Hard and other bands, belting out pop tunes and providing an energetic stage presence.

LISA PAGE

Lisa is a versatile entertainer best known as a pocket rocket with a vibrant personality and a passion for everything showbiz. She trained and worked as a high school teacher for several years until her desire to perform took over.

Her first break came when she was plucked from talent quests to perform in the award-winning Fifty’s show in 1990. Since then she has performed as a solo cabaret artist in addition to creating numerous Cabaret production shows of her own including TThe Supergirls (a celebration of female entertainers), The Swing Sisters (Wartime Tribute show) and The ABBA Experience Duo, tributing the Voices of Agnetha and Frida.

Lisa’s bubbly personality and stage presence entertains and energize audiences. Her repertoire is an absolute smorgasbord of hits covering everything from Jazz Standards to Disco, Rock, Motown and current Pop/Dance chart hits.

Her classical and contemporary training with some of the best vocal teachers in Sydney have equipped Lisa to mastered a comprehensive range of musical styles.

Lisa has also appeared as lead vocalist with many pop/rock bands including Yesterdays Heroes, a Retro concept show featuring costumed tributes of various artists (such as Tina Turner, Madonna & ABBA). She portrayed Rizzo in Greased Lightning showband and was lead singer of corporate dance bands the Rock Lobsters, Groovalicious and Expresso.

Lisa has a wealth of experience as a freelance vocalist, playing in duos, trios and bands at clubs and private functions. She often appears with Groovin Hard and is also an experienced compere of children’s shows, club shows and promotions.

KERRIE ROBSON

After seven years of Royal School of Music Piano and Singing tuition, Kerrie sung in Bands and Cabaret in New Zealand from the age of 16. She toured New Zealand and South Pacific, and appeared in T.V. Specials with Dick Emery, Danny La Rue, and Hudson and Halls.

Arriving in Australia in 1981 Kerrie performed regularly at Rogues Nightclub and the Hilton Hotel, then joining a three-piece group (Alston and High Voltage) touring Sri Lanka and Indonesia on a regular basis and securing a regular contract on P & O Oriana.

Kerrie toured Malaysia and Egypt entertaining the Peacekeeping Troops as a solo singer with the legendary Rolf Harris and Maria Venuti. She continued working with Rolf Harris in Australia thereafter at Launceston Casino.

She teamed up with Guitarist/Singer Darryl Talbot performing Cabaret spots for Sitmar Cruises, CTC Cruises and P & O. As part of the duo “Take Two” she received 10 industry awards ( SIX Awards, and Four ACE Awards) to date, for the Best Duo. Her last Mo Award was July 2015. Take Two also had a regular 2-month contract for 7 years, performing a 1 hour show at the Hotel Bali Beach Supper Club, Bali and Hotel Indonesia (Jakarta)

Kerrie appeared on Australian TV shows – Good Morning Australia, Ernie Sigley Show, John Mangos Show. She supported overseas acts such as Matt Monroe, The Bachelors, Baron Knights, Phyllis Diller.

Kerrie had acting parts on “Home and Away” and “Richmond Hill”

In 1991 Kerrie formed a 5-piece show group called “Solid Gold 70’s” and toured Malaysia multiple times.

From 1997 until 2002 Kerrie ran, coordinated and compered the Coca Cola Singing Quest at Panthers which led to other Quests in and around Sydney.

Kerrie has performed at corporate functions for The Regent Hotel. Star City Casino, ANA, Ritz Carlton Double Bay, Hilton Convention Centre, Shangri-La Hotel Wentworth Hotel, for Qantas, Australia Post, Private Schools Tara and Kings. Kerrie also presently works as a Part – time Model and Presenter for TVSN (Australia/New Zealand) and the new Chanel 75 Open Shop.

Kerrie performs with Groovin Hard, having a strong stage presence and providing soulful vocals. A true entertainer!