Carolyn “Cazzbo” Johns
Sousaphone, jug, electric bass, swanee whistle, soprano vacuum cleaner tube, hosepipe trumpet, vocals.Musical from an early age (harmonizing with her mother from the womb), Cazzbo took a long time to get around to harnessing this latent talent formally. At 16 she agreed to try the tuba in the school brass band - for a joke - and she’s still laughing!
Australia’s British-style brass band scene was the ideal environment to develop and foster brass playing and beer drinking skills.
Whilst obtaining a Degree in Musical Stiff-Upper-Lippery at the Victorian College of the Arts, the Melbourne jazz scene offered opportunities to express her natural inclination for improvisation.
In 1987 Cazzbo moved to Sydney to take up her new appointment as Principal Tuba in the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra (Opera Australia), a position she still holds. Cazzbo has numerous Aussie film and commercial soundtracks to her credit.
Outside the orchestra pit in the Sydney Opera House it’s jazz, blues, world music and funky street bands. Sandy Evans, Bob Brozman, Dame Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti are just a few of the esteemed performers who have adjusted their curriculum vitaes to include: “I’ve played with Cazzbo”.
A chance meeting with Mic Conway prompted further study as Cazzbo undertook Mic’s comprehensive 30-second course in the art of jug playing. She’s even done commercial soundtrack recordings equipped with only the jug!
Inspired by hearing The Hoosier Hotshots (on a cassette in Mic’s van on tour) she promptly took up the swanee whistle.
Cazzbo’s hobbies include cycling, recycling, staying up past her bedtime, and protecting the Old Growth Weeds in her garden.
“Despite her classical training, Cazzbo is a brilliant improviser with a great ear.”
: Bob Brozman
"Australia's free-wheeling tuba virtuoso."
: Doug Spencer, Founder and Producer 'The Planet' ABC Radio National
“The Paul McCartney of the jug.”
: Mic Conway
Cazzbo’s Home Page
go.to/cazz
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