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Suede

GAYLE SMYTHE - Lead Vocals
Originally from Zimbabwe, Gayl has come along way since running off stage in terror at age 6 and during her formal vocal training won the best female singer under 18 in Zimbabwe at age 13. 
Through the ensuing years Gayl has sung and acted in, as well as produced numerous musicals, variety shows, fund raising concerts & bands in her hometown of Bulawayo. 

Gayl and Garry first teamed up about 17 years ago forming a trio with Garry’s wife Penny, until the Bells made their move to Perth. 
Since also moving to Perth with her family, Gayl has sung with the Chris Martin Big Band for a year & at private functions with the Bells. 

In 2007 Gayl teamed up with fellow big band musicians Ben Lanzon and Matthew Bell to form the band Suede. She is delighted to be a part of this extremely talented group of professional musicians, who are always keen to create something unique in the arrangements of their diverse repertoire, whilst being able to sing songs from some of her favourite genre....

GARY BELL - Keyboard & Vocals
Garry has been involved in musical and theatrical performance since senior school in his home town of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. These included the Bulawayo Folk Club, the Bulawayo Theatre and a variety of small group performances for public & private functions. 
For five years Garry was a key member of the semi-professional funk group, Shine, performing in a number of cities across Zimbabwe as well as neighbouring Botswana. 
Since arriving in Perth, Garry has been involved with music in local churches and community events, including Carols by Candle Light and other informal private performances. Garry is delighted to be performing with his son, Matthew, and longstanding fellow performer, Gayl, in the group Suede....

Christian Chevelley - Guitar
Christian is originally from Geneva, Switzerland. He started to play the guitar at the age of eleven on a single pickup Framus electric guitar, plugged into a Grundig Valve Radio. 
Whilst playing in a school band, Christian had an early exposure to jazz-rock through Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Billy Cobham, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock recordings, as well as Stravinsky & Bartok. At the same time as pursuing his formal studies, Christian played in a number of local bands. He spent time learning, listening to & exploring multiple horizons in jazz, classical & contemporary music. 
Christian then gradually got involved in the Geneva musical scene, playing with numerous musicians. He played in various jazz clubs, including the renowned ‘New Morning’, as well as at large music festivals. He has played with other musicians from a variety of styles and influence, including post industrial rock (the Young Gods), folk, brazilian (José Barrense-Dias), free jazz, punk and experimental electro-acoustic, with long term friend and fretless bass player Enzo Criscuolo. 
Christian arrived in Perth three years ago and has since been teaching guitar and, in 2007 joined the professional funk jazz cover band Suede.

Matthew Bell - Bass Guitar & Backup Vocals
From the depths of Africa comes one of Perth's most promising talents. Led from one instrument to another by his father Garry, 
Matt has mastered a variety of instruments in an assortment of bands since his first introduction to the piano. 
After his high school involvements with the Lake Joondalup swing band, Matt took his talents to the next level and was accepted into The West Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2007. While completing his studies at the university, Matt was selected to play in the WAAPA Big Funk Band. 
Suede is just one of Matt's latest endeavours, which incorporates the sounds of many of his most influential artists and music genre...

Listen to sound sample here.

Song List: