Frequently Asked Questions is a band made up of vocals, piano and bass, specialising in jazz, swing, and lounge, with a touch of blues and Latin. We have been playing together since 2002, and each of us has played in a number of other ensembles. Together we play regularly at Casino Canberra, and for functions of the Canberra Repertory Theatre Company. Other venues where we have played include Old Parliament House, the Hyatt Hotel, the National Press Club, the Southern Cross Yacht Club, the George Harcourt Inn, Kamberra Winery, Knightsbridge Bar, the Royal Canberra Golf Club, the Oaks Brasserie, First Floor Restaurant, the Ottoman Restaurant, Z Brasserie, the Hellenic Club, and even a boat, the MV Southern Cross! We have also played in private homes, and at festivals - recently returning from some very successful performances at the 2008 Merimbula Jazz Festival.
Sarah Byrne - Vocals
Sarah studied jazz vocals in Brisbane with Joe Andre, before her move to Canberra, where she later studied for several years with the legendary jazz singer Gery Scott. After fronting a local amateur seven-piece jazz & blues combo in 2000, and performing as a duo with a jazz guitarist (who sadly moved to Paris), she met James and Peter in 2002. After toying with a few even-less-Googleable band names, they formed Frequently Asked Questions in 2002 and have never looked back. Sarah is also the vocalist for the 20-piece Spectrum Big Band, playing recently to excellent reviews at the Wagga Wagga, Moruya and Merimbula Jazz Festivals, and sings occasionally with other bands around town. Sarah is a true jazz stylist whose warm, mezzo tones are perfectly suited to everything from swing to blues.
James Groves - Piano
James' first ever job, at the age of seventeen, was as the regular jazz pianist at a Port Adelaide hotel. Flash forward a few years and he is bringing his sensitive touch and innovative style to the keys at venues all over Canberra. James has been Musical Director for a few theatre productions, and has written a couple of scores, but is recently known for his work as pianist for Frequently Asked Questions and for Canberra big band In Full Swing, appearing on their CD "Swing Set". He also sometimes performs with the Spectrum Big Band, including their recent very successful performances at the 28th Merimbula Jazz Festival. He is blessed with a great jazz sensibility as well as a hot set of fingers!
Peter McDonald - Electric Bass
Peter is something of a renaissance man. On those rare occasions when he is not playing bass for Frequently Asked Questions, the 20-piece Spectrum Big Band, the Canberra City Concert Band, or pretty much every musical theatre orchestra in Canberra, he is playing the tuba or percussion instead. That is unless he is writing one of his award-winning children's musicals. Peter is a true musician's musician, providing a groovy bass rhythm - and a few witty solo licks - which make him an in-demand player for a whole variety of ensembles around Canberra, supporting everyone from Leisa Keen to Toni Lamond ("The Full Monty"). Recently he has been experimenting with some jazz tuba solos which have been hugely successful with FAQ audiences!
Guest Artists
Frequently Asked Questions sometimes likes to "upsize the combo" by adding other instruments. Some bios will be posted shortly, but in the meantime you can read about gigs with our favourite guest musicians on the News page.
