Original compositions sit alongside jazz standards, with blues, soul, bossa nova and pop threaded through the set — played by a group that has been a fixture of the Canberra scene for years.
A jazz singer and flautist with warmth and depth.
Beat Magazine
As a performer
Elise has been performing since the age of ten, beginning her training at the Young People’s Theatre in Newcastle. She took up the flute at eleven and later studied classical flute at the Newcastle Conservatorium.
She went on to study vocal and instrumental jazz with the Sydney Jazz Action Society, the Sydney Conservatorium, Bud Shank Jazz Workshops, Port Townsend, USA, and pioneering free-jazz vocalist Jay Clayton on the US West Coast.
Throughout her career, Elise has performed at venues and private functions across Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Port Townsend in the United States. Now based in Canberra, she performs regularly at local venues and events, including Smith’s Alternative, the National Portrait Gallery, Floriade, and Enlighten.
Elise also maintains a strong connection to her Novocastrian roots, returning to perform at the Newcastle Improvised Music Association’s (NIMA) live jazz night at the Grand Hotel. She also appears at Lazybones, a popular live music venue in Marrickville, Sydney.
Songwriter and composer
With an eclectic appreciation of diverse musical styles, Elise’s original music blurs the line between traditional and contemporary jazz, blues, and pop. She independently released her debut album, City Lights, in 2017, followed by a live recording at Smith’s Alternative in Canberra in 2021.
Her second album of original music, currently in progress, explores human connection and our relationship with the environment. The project features a group of renowned local musicians, including guitarist and arranger Matt Lustri and acclaimed trumpeter, composer, and educator Miroslav Bukovsky.
The musicians
Bella Groove performs as a duo, trio, quartet, or full band, featuring musicians of national standing. Elise’s current core band members and recent collaborators include:
- Matt Lustri — guitarist, vocalist, arranger and collaborator. An ANU School of Music alumnus, Matt also performs with Latin group Los Chavos, Afro-beat/ska ensemble This Way Orkestra, and the Canberra Tango Quintet.
- Eric Ajaye — bass player and educator, formerly of the ANU School of Music. An active member of Australia’s jazz community, Eric established The Jazz Haus Canberra, a New York-style jazz supper club and theatre in Canberra, and hosts two ABC Jazz programs.
- Miroslav Bukovsky — distinguished jazz trumpeter, composer and educator. Miroslav was one of the founders of the renowned jazz ensemble Ten Part Invention. He has led the award-winning ensemble Wanderlust for many years and remains active as a composer and performer with both groups.
- Luke Glanville — drummer. A sought-after local player, Luke performs with a variety of acts around Canberra and has a regular gig at Tilley’s with the Wayne Kelly Trio.
Sydney and Newcastle musicians
- Tim Rollinson — guitarist and founder of Dig, also known as Directions in Groove. Tim has performed with Vince Jones, The Black-Eyed Susans and Phil Slater.
- Toby Hall — drummer. One of Australia’s most highly regarded drummers, Toby has performed with Don Burrows, James Morrison, Sandy Evans, Bernie McGann, Paul Grabowsky and Mike Nock.
- Hugh Barrett — pianist and arranger. Hugh featured on Elise’s debut jazz album, City Lights, and arranged several of her tunes, including the title track.
Other notable Canberra players
- Danny Junor — saxophonist and educator. Danny has performed with Bella Groove at Smith’s Alternative and will join the group on their second album in 2027.
- Mic Knight — emerging jazz pianist on the Canberra scene. Mic has performed with Bella Groove and will also join the group on the second album.
- Somesh Putcha — drummer. Somesh has performed live with Bella Groove over the years.
- John Black — pianist and keyboard player. John featured on both City Lights and Bella Groove’s live EP.
- Chris Pound — highly sought-after local bass player.
- Peter Barta — bass player with Kooky Fandango.
- Ross Buchanan — pianist with Just Groovin’.
Many more wonderful musicians have worked with Elise and Bella Groove over the years than could fit on this page.
Awards and press
Elise received the Canberra Critics’ Circle Music Award for her leadership as vocalist, flautist and songwriter of Bella Groove, and for the launch of City Lights at the Ainslie Arts Centre.
The arrangements were brilliant, especially in the variety of styles and rhythms employed.
Clinton White, Canberra CityNews
Bella Groove was included in BMA Magazine’s Best Canberra Music of 2021, and has featured in Geoff Page’s Jazz in Concert series at the ANU Pop-Up Village.
As a writer
Elise also writes — lyrics, prose and short stories drawn from her life experience.