The Garland Minnelli Effect is a vibrant celebration of the music made famous by Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli. Inspired by Anthea Palmer’s own upbringing—her mother being a passionate Garland devotee—the show pays deep respect to the original tunes while infusing them with a fresh, modern energy. With a set list geared toward the upbeat, audiences can expect swinging arrangements, and heartfelt vocals. Anthea and guitarist Mark Morand will be joined by some of Melbourne’s finest jazz musicians, making each performance a rich collaboration that brims with unrepeatable joy and style.
GEORGE LANE – SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 2026
Anthea Palmer is a dynamic vocalist, known for projects such as original rock band Drama Queen, jazz/blues with duo Blackburn or Bust, and currently sings in Atomic: the songs of Blondie. With a versatile voice that moves effortlessly from theatrical intensity to playful jazz phrasing, Anthea brings an emotional depth to the stage. Drawing on her lifelong connection to Garland’s music, she channels her influences into performances that are both nostalgic and uniquely her own, delivering each song with passion, humor, and heartfelt storytelling.
Mark Morand is a highly regarded jazz guitarist, arranger, and band leader with decades of experience in Melbourne’s live music scene. His artistry lies not only in his elegant, swinging guitar style but also in his ability to gather and inspire ensembles that bring out the very best in each tune. With a deep respect for the jazz tradition and a keen eye for fresh interpretation, Mark provides the perfect musical counterpart to Anthea’s vocals. Together, they create a sound that honours the classics while delighting modern audiences.
Annette Yates is a seasoned double-bass player whose rich tone and deeply rooted swing feel have made her a mainstay in the city’s jazz scene. She has performed with the legendary women’s ensemble Morgana — alongside vocalist Lisa Young, soprano saxophonist Fiona Burnett and drummer Sonja Horbelt — in their original lineup for milestone events in Melbourne. dingojazz.com Her rhythmic precision, lyrical basslines and warm presence have also earned her recognition in club gigs (such as at Hawthorn’s Lido Jazz Room) and collaborative projects with acclaimed vocalists.
Niko Schäuble is a German-born drummer, composer and audio engineer whose eclectic creative practice has made a deep mark on the city’s jazz and experimental music scene. He moved to Australia in 1989 and has since performed with some of the world’s most distinguished jazz figures, including Wynton Marsalis, Lee Konitz and Enrico Rava. Wikipedia+2All About Jazz+2
Schäuble is also the founder of the acclaimed recording facility Pughouse Studios in Thornbury, Melbourne, where he has produced and engineered more than 150 albums, bridging performance, composition and production roles.
Callum Mintzis is a multifaceted artist — composer, trombonist, writer and psychotherapist — whose musical voice melds jazz, chamber, and experimental textures. Born in Australia, he made waves early by performing with the Monash Art Ensemble as its youngest‐ever member at age sixteen, and by the age of twenty he had performed with acclaimed artists such as Vijay Iyer, Linda Oh, Ambrose Akinmusire and Terri Lyne Carrington — with Akinmusire describing Mintzis’s trombone playing as “extremely unique” and “unlike any trombonist he’d ever heard.”