ABOUT US
RACHAEL DEE
Vocalist
Rachael has a passion for connecting with people. With an authentic twang you cannot deny her country roots, having been raised in the outback in Central Western Queensland. Rachael has always found satisfaction in contribution to help others lead a healthy, happy life. Collaboration through music and singing has been an ever present outlet throughout her life, and Rachael acknowledges music as a powerful vehicle for expression to reach people of all ages, backgrounds, and stages of life. As a graduate of the 2018 CMAA Senior Academy of Country Music, Rachael has been mentored by industry names including Roger Corbett, Kevin Bennett, Lachlan Bryan, Lyn Bowtell and Ashleigh Dallas. She has performed as part of the Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Tamworth Country Music Festival, Better in Blackall Festival, and the Rockhampton River Festival. Rachael has dipped her toe into the world of artistry, having successfully released singles 'Little eyes' and 'Braveheart in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Rachael continues to perform throughout Queensland at various private and public functions. From weddings and sporting events, through to music festivals, Rachael is enthusiastic about coordinating and producing high quality entertainment which caters to the audience.
When not performing, you will likely find Rachael at home raising her son, and planning her next adventure or creative project!
JEREMY ELLIS
Bassist
Jeremy is an Australian bass player, composer and music educator whose passionate ethos is a mark of his musical endevours. Originally hailing from New Zealand, and having family influences ranging from musical theatre to air force swing band, this diversity has impressed itself upon his approach to life and music. As a Golden Key Invitee, and 2nd place winner of the Sid SJ Bromley Jazz Award he was able to excel academically while completing a Bachelor of Music at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith Unviersity in 2017 under the direction of world class musicians Peter Walters and Jose McLaughlin (Gerry and the Pacemakers). Most recently he has performed jazz with several ensembles at venues such as Doo-Bop Jazz Bar, QPAC Green Jam, Studio 188, Eat Street NorthShore, and BJC. Branching out in terms of genre, he performs contemporary covers, funk and alternative country with Dan England Band, Ben Westphal Trio, Rachael Dee and Sammy White at venues such as Coolangatta Hotel, Twin Towns, Gympie Muster, CMC Rocks and The Man from Snowy River Festival. Jeremy is also band leader, composer and bass player of alternative pop outfit Jabberwocky Down.
BEN WESTPHAL
Guitarist
Ben is a versatile, multi-instrumentalist whose career has led him to perform with a range of artists such as Warren H Williams, Echoes of Pink Floyd, the Art Deco Dance Orchestra, and many singer songwriters. He has also supported top Australian acts such as Travis Collins, The Wolfe Brothers, The McClymonts, and Lee Kernighan. He has explored the sounds of classical, jazz, funk, finger-style and country styles of playing on guitar, saxophone, clarinet, bass and drums.
In 2017 he graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and in 2018 the CMAA Academy of Country Music. His performing has taken him to many festivals around the country including Tamworth Country Music Festival, Gympie Muster and Mitchell Creek Blues Festival. During this time, he performed on the Toyota Park stage for the festivals' opening concert in 2018 and at the Golden Guitar Awards Ceremony with the country duo O'Shea.
Now, Ben continues to build his name as a solo and trio acoustic finger-style guitarist, free lancing multi-instrumentalist, teacher, producer and audio technician in a range of genres across the Australian music scene.
DANIEL JAMES
Drummer
After nearly 20 years of live performance, Daniel is more passionate than ever about playing great music to many. His training in the revered Jazz department at Queensland Conservatorium of Music Griffith University, under some of the greats in Australia's scene such as Ben Vanderwall, John Parker, David Jones and Paul Hudson gave Daniel his deeply comfortable and melodic flavour of drumming, which he is known for amongst his musical peers. Daniel has played in a large array of venues and festivals including QPAC, P&O Cruise Ships, Gympie Music Muster, Felons Brewing Company, Brooklyn Standard, Doo-Bop Jazz Bar and many more in genres spanning from Indie Rock to Ragtime arranged for ballet dancing.
When Daniel isn't performing, teaching or practicing in the home studio, much of his time is spent with his wife Ashleigh, coffee, walks in nature and a few mates and their favourite sport - disc golf.