S  A  S  S  A  F  R  A  S

Doors 6pm
Show 7pm

Formed in 2015, Sassafras combines toe-tapping swing, breakneck gypsy classics, wistful french ballads and re-worked jazz standards in a vibrant and engaging mix of acoustic music, all performed with the dazzling virtuosity and passion that is intrinsic to the gypsy jazz tradition.

Led by double bassist Pete Jeavons, the group performs in a range of different formats and was a regular feature on the WA live music scene for 8 years (2016-2023). However, the band has been on hiatus for the last few years having performed only a handful of shows since 2024.

Having already made their return to the Ellington stage in June this year, Sassafras is very happy to announce this follow-up performance on Saturday November 14. This special show will feature Pete Jeavons (double bass/musical director) along side the supreme talents of Emily Gelineau (violin), Aaron Deacon & Michael Ellis (acoustic guitars) and vocalist Jessie Gordon who is re-uniting with the band after nearly 3 years!

You can expect to hear classic Sassafras arrangements of music from composers such as Django Reinhardt, Edith Piaf, Cole Porter, Charles Trenet, Jacques Brel – and more.

Over the years, the band has delighted many audiences at The Ellington Jazz Club, as well as other venues including The Duke of George, Lyric’s Underground, Government House, and The Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre to name a few. Sassafras has also featured in a number of festivals including: The Jazz By The Bay Festival (2017, 2019), Perth International Jazz Festival (2017, 2018, 2022, 2025), Oz Manouche Festival (Brisbane, 2018), King Street Corner Pocket Festival (2018, 2019), Perth Festival (2021), York Festival (2021, 2022) and the WA Guitar Festival (2021). For seven years in a row, Sassafras presented a season of shows as part of the Perth Fringeworld Festival (2016-2022) and the band released their debut, eponymous album in 2021.

Join us to celebrate the return of Sassafras & Jessie Gordon to The Ellington Jazz Club for a great evening of musical entertainment that is guaranteed to please.

“The infectious swing and gypsy jazz of Perth’s superb Sassafras provides an upbeat and enjoyable program of variety and consummate musicianship…”
Garry Lee, Seesaw, March 2023

“From the very first mellow notes, Sassafras: An Evening of Gypsy Swing was simply spellbinding… What a pleasure to see such excellent artists performing this dazzling repertoire in Perth!”
Chelsea Hayes, Fringefeed, Feb 10th 2020

“Acoustic gypsy jazz band Sassafras presented a world-class musical performance to the capacity audience that filled (the) Ellington Jazz Club…”
Steve Baitz, Seesaw Mag, Jan 26th 2019

“What a truly extraordinary group of talented performers. This 5-piece Perth jazz band is an amalgamation of 4 of the most enigmatic musicians you’ll ever see. Not to mention, the vocals of Jessie Gordon who has the most astoundingly powerful range”
Amanda Lancaster, Fourth Wall Media, Jan 31st 2018

“A clear French theme with familiar swing classics and gypsy jazz radiating with attitude”
Jess Ammon, Fringefeed, Jan 30th 2018 

“Sassafras, the gypsy jazz band won a heap of local fans at Juniper Studio… A full house relished performances from consummate musicians, with Jessie Gordon singing, encouraging audience participation and pulling it all together with engaging humour.” 
Darlington Review, July 2017

“The (Perth) International Jazz Festival is a serious affair… there was, however, a moment of joyous gypsy-style jazz from Sassafras, a local group who took the audience on a pleasure-filled journey, aided by brilliant gypsy guitarists and singer Jessie Gordon.”
Ron Banks, The West Australian Newspaper, June 2017

“Sassafras is undoubtedly a smooth, well-rehearsed and tightly run ship headed by a sassy great singer…”
Mariyon Slany, Artshub, Feb 1st 2016

“The Sassafras instrumentalists excelled throughout the evening, with virtuosic solos and seamless transitions. The acoustic guitar playing was perfect and lovely… and Pete Jeavons reliable double bass playing shows his great experience.”
Mariyon Slany, Artshub, Feb 1st 2016

“You may already know Sassafras, the local gypsy jazz 5-piece known to play Perth spots like The Playroom and The Ellington. If you don’t, any doubt you have that they play excellent fast, tight and wild swing music will be banished by their Fringeworld act”
Brandon Taylor, The Australia Times,  Jan 31st 2016