The Graduates Premium Sydney jazz band for weddings, corporate events and private functions.

The Graduates require access to power close to the performance area, suitable stage or performance space for the selected lineup, and appropriate access for bump-in and pack-down.

Parking is to be provided for musicians, or any parking expenses are to be covered by the client.

For larger events, The Graduates can provide our own PA system where required, or work directly with your venue or AV suppliers. We are also able to send through our stage plot and technical requirements ahead of the event to assist with planning and setup.

To assist with planning and setup, The Graduates require the following venue details prior to the event:

* Venue name, address and performance location
* Load-in/access details, including loading dock, security and timing requirements
* Whether stairs or a lift are required for equipment access
* Parking arrangements, or confirmation that parking costs will be covered
* Access to power near the performance area
* Any noise restrictions, sound limits or curfews
* Whether the performance is indoors, undercover or outdoors

For outdoor performances, suitable protection from sun, rain, wind and other elements must be provided. For safety reasons, we are unable to perform in direct rain, unsafe weather or prolonged direct sun without adequate cover.

For our larger vocal packages, The Graduates can provide a professional sound system suitable for most wedding and event settings. We can also work directly with your venue or external AV provider and supply our stage plot and technical requirements in advance.

For smaller duo and trio packages, PA hire is not generally included, as these lineups often do not require amplification in intimate settings. However, sound reinforcement can be provided as an optional upgrade for larger venues or events where additional coverage is required.

Lighting is not generally included, but we are happy to work with your venue or AV supplier where lighting is required.

Where The Graduates are providing a PA system, generally for our larger vocal packages, we can provide a Spotify playlist before and between live sets to maintain atmosphere throughout the event.

For events requiring a designated DJ set, particularly for dance-floor entertainment later in the evening, we offer a DJ add-on package. This can be discussed at the time of booking and tailored to suit your event timeline, music preferences and overall entertainment requirements.

One of the best gigs we’ve ever performed was a luxury wedding at the Sydney Opera House in 2023. It was an incredible setting, and performing live jazz at such an iconic venue for such a beautifully curated event was a real highlight for the band. The Sydney Opera House is also one of the best venues we’ve had the pleasure of working at.

Our favourite type of event is definitely weddings. There is something very special about being part of such an important day, and live music can add so much warmth, elegance and emotion to each stage of the celebration. We particularly enjoy working with couples to create a musical journey that feels personal, memorable and beautifully suited to the atmosphere of their wedding.

All of us in the band first met while studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music back in 2004, where we formed close musical friendships and began performing together.

The band’s first major gig was performing at the Macquarie University graduation ceremonies, where we played for graduating students twice a year over a six-year period. It became our longest-running residency to date — and is actually where the name "The Graduates" came from.

Since then, we’ve gone on to perform extensively at weddings, corporate events, private functions and premium venues across Sydney and NSW, bringing together over 20 years of shared experience as professional musicians.

Our influences come from a broad mix of classic jazz recordings, Great American Songbook standards and timeless popular music.

As a jazz band, we’ve been heavily influenced by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald and the great instrumental jazz recordings of the 20th century. At the same time, our wider event repertoire draws inspiration from artists as diverse as Michael Bublé, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel and even Bruce Springsteen — we play a mean version of “Dancing in the Dark” in our dance sets!

It’s almost impossible to name one favourite song to perform, as there are so many incredible songs in our repertoire. However, one song that always gets a fantastic crowd response is Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are”. It creates a beautiful moment at weddings and really captures the warmth, romance and nostalgia that live music can bring to an event.

We generally allow up to two hours for bump-in, setup and soundcheck, depending on the size of the lineup and venue access requirements.

Our live sets are typically structured around 45-minute performances, with breaks in between. However, we are very flexible and can work around your runsheet, tailoring our set times around speeches, formalities, meals and other key moments throughout the event.

As a general guide, we perform a maximum of four live sets for any given event.

Yes, we are happy to perform outside, provided there is suitable protection for the musicians and equipment.

For outdoor performances, The Graduates require a safe, level performance area with adequate cover from sun, rain, wind and other elements. This may include a marquee, covered terrace, shade structure or similar protected area.

For safety reasons, and to protect our instruments and sound equipment, we are unable to perform in direct rain, unsafe weather conditions or prolonged direct sun without appropriate cover.

Yes. For weddings, we offer clients the opportunity to request specific songs for key moments such as entrances, cake cutting and the First Dance. Where suitable, we are happy to learn these songs if they are not already on our standard song list.

For our general live sets, clients are welcome to select any songs from our standard repertoire list that they would particularly like included, or let us know if there are any songs they would prefer us to avoid.

We are also happy to take guest requests on the night where they are from our existing repertoire and suitable for the event atmosphere.

Previous clients most commonly describe our performances as elegant, professional and beautifully suited to the atmosphere of their event.

In our recent Google reviews, clients often mention the quality of the musicianship, the warmth and sophistication of the music, and how much their guests enjoyed the performance. We are also frequently praised for being reliable, easy to communicate with and well organised in the lead-up to the event.

Many couples describe The Graduates as adding a special touch to their wedding day, creating a refined live music atmosphere without overpowering the celebration.