In 1998, a young seventeen-year-old New Zealander, Wil Sargisson was invited to perform at the ‘Piano Night’, a prestigious event featuring some of the best piano players in the world, run as part of the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The only non-American to be invited there, he blew the audience away with his skill, musicality and dexterity, and was subsequently invited back to perform on three consecutive occasions. With his debut album, recorded when he was just 17, selling in places as far afield as New Orleans, Holland and Western Europe, his piano technique won him rave reviews from many music critics. However, Wil is still largely unknown.

Playing piano since he was five, Wil planned a career as a piano player from a young age. While most young people are raised on pop music, Wil listened to the music of Stride and Boogie Woogie players Fats Waller, James P. Johnson, Professor Longhair and James Booker. James Booker has been his main influence. “I first heard Booker’s stuff on the album ‘New Orleans Piano Wizard Live’ in about 1992, when I was 12, and was quite intimidated by his technique and musical scope. I put the CD away for about 12 months, while I concentrated on Professor Longhair, Dr John and of course the great Boogie Woogie pianists from Chicago. Then in 1993 I pulled the CD out again and was able to appreciate it a lot more. And for the last decade I’ve been listening to Booker more than any other pianist. ”

Wil’s talent has taken him around the world and has seen him play with international acts that include ‘The Coasters’ and ‘The Platters’, perform at dozens of Jazz Festivals over Australia, USA and New Zealand, feature on about 2 dozen albums from Jazz trios to Blues quartets to Funk ensembles and now has him playing for internationally -renowned Australian Jazz band, ‘Galapagos Duck’. Being one of the few pianists well-versed in Boogie Woogie, Harlem Stride and New Orleans Rhythm & Blues, he is a force to be reckoned with.

Showcasing his interest and talents in these styles, Wil is bringing his Trio to The Jazz Sessions held at The Presynct in Nambour. With all of them being some of Brisbane’s top musicians, this will be an amazing concert of the jubilant music of the 1920’s and 1930’s when the Boogie Woogie and Stride players were king!