ABOUT US
Elevate that first dance and let your upcoming function or wedding sparkle with Sydney’s authentic voices of rich jazz, The 251 Clique.
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of yesteryear as The 251 Clique weave opulence throughout your evening, masterfully melting the magic of jazz with luxurious latin rhythms as you dance the night away.
With over a decade of professional experience each, there are none more skilful than The 251 Clique to add the perfect touch your evening.
Supported by a stellar and versatile collective of Sydney’s
most highly-trained jazz musicians, vocalist Cass Greaves’ soulful blend of true jazz and bluesy tones pays homage to the greats of the past, transporting you back to a golden age where Billie and Ella reigned over Birdland.
The 251 Clique will work with you to seamlessly craft the perfect luxe mood for your next function.
Blow your guests away with a blast of Be-Bop roaring from a full eight-piece brass band, or lower the lights and summon a touch of romance to your intimate gathering with a lavish piano quartet, guaranteed to have you dancing on air.
If an elegant experience like no other is what you crave, let The 251 Clique play you a Lullaby from
Birdland that you’ll never forget.
With her debut album “He’s Whiskey in A Teacup” Cass Greaves emerged as one of Australia’s most unique jazz & blues artists.
From the age of 16 Cass toured internationally to Cuba as well as Vienna fronting various big bands and jazz groups and has had the pleasure of singing alongside international artists including American Jazz vocalist Barbra Morrison and the Buena Vista Social Club.
During tours to the states, Cass, has been lucky enough to support well known blues artist Johnny Lang and host her own shows at the Village vanguard, NY, and Arlene’s Grocery as well as singing with some of New Orleans finest musicians at venues including the famous House of blues, Tipitinas and The Spotted Cat.
While her sound pays homage to the greats of the past, Cass Greaves is a truly original & fresh artist. She writes songs that are honest & sings them with a rawness that is rarely heard in modern music.
Aaron Blakey is a New-Zealand born jazz pianist/composer based in Sydney, Australia.
Aaron has been performing professionally since 2006 and has studied in New Zealand (Auckland University), Japan (under tutelage from Yuki Arimasa, former Berklee College Professor), and Australia (Sydney Conservatorium).
Aaron relocated to Sydney in 2011 after a four year stint of playing in Japan as an active pianist on the Tokyo Jazz Scene including a stint at the internationally renowned “New York Bar and Grill” at the Shinjuku Park Hyatt hotel, as featured in the 2003 blockbuster "Lost in Translation".
Aaron writes music for and runs his own quintet and gigs regurlarly at the likes of Venue 505, Foundry616, Low302, Lazybones, Butchers Brew, Potts Point Hotel and other various other venues in Sydney.
The triple National Jazz Award finalist (2003, 2010 and 2017) is a long-standing member of the award-winning Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra with which he has toured extensively throughout Australia and internationally whilst sharing the stage with many leading international jazz musicians including Grammy winner Maria Schneider and Grammy nominees Darcy James Argue and Chris Potter. Simon's self-titled release from 2013, an album of his own compositions and improvisations, has been described by Australian jazz icon Lloyd Swanton (The Necks, The Catholics) as “an excellent blend of jazz sensibilities [and] abstract textures.” Simon is in high demand around the Sydney scene regularly playing with acts such as Godtet, Hammerhead and Freyja Garbett.
Michael is a musician, bandleader and educator with over twenty years experience on the acoustic and electric bass. During his study at the prestigious Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Michael had the opportunity to study under leading jazz musicians Craig Scott and Steve Brien and has since become an active member in the Sydney jazz community.
Michael has toured and recorded with numerous bands and artists in the Australian music scene. Some of these highlights include performing with Australian icon Tom Burlinson at the 2019 Susu Mamas Charity Fundraising Ball in Papua New Guinea, headlining the 2013 Limund-Oz music festival with renowned American gospel singer Joshua Nelson and performing at the 2015 Woodford Folk Festival with acclaimed Sydney French duo Baby et Lulu. Michael has also performed extensively with other musicians and artists at prominent music venues in Sydney, including The Basement, Oxford Art Factory, The Vanguard, Venue 505 and the Camelot Lounge, as well as countless corporate events and private functions.
Alex Hirlian is a drummer currently living in Sydney, Australia. He graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2016 where he received a Bachelor of Jazz Performance. He has studied under both Simon Barker and Andrew Dickeson during his time at the Sydney Conservatorium and has also received training in orchestral percussion, studying with Daryl Pratt and Richard Miller.
Alex plays regularly around Sydney and has performed in groups led by prominent Australian jazz figures such as James Muller, Sean Wayland, Mike Nock, Judy Bailey, Mike Rivett and Carl Morgan just to name a few.
In 2014, Alex was selected as a finalist for the Generations in Jazz competition in Mount Gambier run by James Morrison (South Australia) and recently won the prestigious 'National Jazz Awards' competition held in Wangaratta, Victoria In 2018, being the youngest of the competitors under the age of 35.
