
Local favourite, Gianni Puli’s final gig on the Pablo’s stage before he ventures over the strait and relocates to Canberra.
A band leader, sideman and educator, Gianni holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours from the University of Tasmania. Gianni has studied under internationally-acclaimed American guitarist, Peter Bernstein (Lou Donaldson, Jimmy Cobb, Sonny Rollins) in Dusseldorf and New York City, and performed with international artists, Neff Irizarry (FIN/USA/PUR) and Andy Davies (UK), in addition to some of Australia’s finest including ARIA-nominated pianist, Dr. Andrew Legg (Kirk Franklin, Myron Butler), saxophonist Ralph Franke (B.B. King, Sting) and vocalist Marty Rhone (Rolling Stones, Bee Gees). Gianni has performed in Europe, UK and Australia on various club and festival stages, namely Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club (UK), Schloss Wissen (GER), The ROCK PROMS (VIC), Clarence Jazz Festival (TAS), and a mainstay at Pablo’s Cocktails and Dreams since 2022. Gianni’s accolades include 2023 OSSA Music Prize Finalist and 2023 Clarence Jazz Festival Hot House Artist.
For this special organ trio performance, Gianni will be joined by recently relocated and sought after session musician, Kim Kelaart on Hammond organ. Hand-picked by saxophonist Dave Leibman (Miles Davis Band) to perform on After Utopia (2004), Kim has spent many years recording and touring with Kate Cebrano and Human Nature, among others.