Margie Lou Dyer

The Margie Lou Dyer Quintet is a dynamic and distinctive ensemble, featuring Margie Lou Dyer on piano and vocals, Eugene Ball on trumpet, Cameron Robbins on clarinet, Howard Cairns on bass, and Hayley Miro Browne (aka Washy) on washboard.

Their debut album, Old Digger's Picnic, was nominated for Best Australian Vocal Jazz Album at the 2019 Bell Awards. The band has also been the recipient of several grants to support their creative projects, including the ABC’s Fresh Start Fund, which enabled them to write and produce their latest album, Survival Day, during Melbourne's 2020 lockdown. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Mal Stanley at the ABC studios in South Bank, Survival Day reflects the band’s resilience and adaptability during challenging times.

Having spent five years with a Sunday night residency at Claypots in St Kilda, the band developed a unique musical language, allowing them to experiment and connect with audiences in a relaxed, spontaneous environment. These Sunday sessions became a Melbourne institution, attracting not just locals but international visitors and fellow musicians of all genres. Over the years, they’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with a range of exceptional artists, including Mat Jodrell, Gil Askey, George Garzone, Eamon McNellis, James Macaulay, Sam Anning, Barry Wratten, Aaron Choulai, John Scurry, and Peter Knight, among many others. Sadly, this residency came to an end due to the impact of COVID-19.

In addition to their regular St Kilda gigs, The Quintet has performed at prestigious venues such as the MONA Sidney Nolan Room, the Wangaratta Jazz Festival, and the inaugural concert series at Eastern Beach Art House. The band is now eagerly awaiting the opportunity to tour Japan once the world returns to normal.

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