Paul Furniss, a long term friend and colleague of Tom heads this band on clarinet and sax. He was in Tom’s first venture as a band leader, The San Francisco Jazz Band. Paul fronts this still today and brought them here for the 2003 Festival.

Geoff Bull is the only Australian to be invited to play at Preservation Hall in New Orleans, the shrine of Traditional Jazz and has recorded there with many of the original legends. Geoff has led The Olympia Band in Sydney for 40 years and is one of the world’s finest New Orleans trumpeters.

Paul Finnerty (banjo, guitar) was in Geoff Bull’s Band and briefly involved in Tom’s Groove City venture, circa 1979. He then became a foundation member of The Chicago Seven around 1988. Paul has produced historic DVDs and CDs from recordings of Tom and his bands. These will available for purchase at the Festival.

Gary Walford (piano) began his regular association with Tom Baker around 1990 in The Roger Janes Band at the Unity Hall Hotel, Balmain. Gary is an exciting soloist and the most wonderful band piano player. He currently leads the Band at the Unity Hall, one of the longest running Jazz gigs.

Anthony Howe, aka ‘Howler’ had his first sit-in on drums at the age of 16 with Tom’s Chicago Seven, at the now fabled Saturday Nights at the ‘Strawb’. Tom Baker inspired a generation of younger players – among them Howler and Dan Barnett.

Dan Barnett (trombone, vocalist) is the regular trombonist in The Unity Hall Jazz Band. He had many years of inspiration hearing Tom at the Strawberry Hills and Unity Hall.

This Band is the 20th Bellingen Festival’s way of honouring, dignifying and celebrating Tom Baker …an exceptional musician.