Profile

X-Collective is a 12-piece cabaret ensemble based in Brisbane that has blurred the line between classical music and the cabaret stage. This talented group of classically trained musicians has stepped outside their comfort zones, taking on new skills in the areas of jazz, comedy, singing and dancing to produce a unique style of entertainment that thrills audiences wherever they perform.

X-Collective started its life in the QLD Philharmonic Orchestra as a 10-piece touring chamber-music ensemble for the QLD Arts Council. As there is no music written for this size group, they had to improvise and decided to tackle Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet” and some piano music by Gershwin.

Since that first tour, they have evolved into the group we see today, taking on the master-works of the classical repertoire plus an eclectic mix of Jazz, Rock, Funk and original compositions.

They also perform in traditional chamber settings, premiering new chamber works such as versions of Debussy’s cello sonata, Franck’s violin sonata and Stravinsky’s Petrouchka arranged by cellist Craig Allister Young.

In 2004 X-Collective launched its first CD entitled "It Don't Mean A Thing..." a compilation of Jazz standards with a few surprises and have a CD for children entitled "Daisy May - The Impossibly Cool Cat". In 2007 they will perform their new show "Dags and Divas" with the Sirens of Song and Leisa Barry-Smith in Brisbane and at the 2007 New Mardi Gras, plus undertake their sixth tour of country Qld in collaboration with the Qld Orchestra and the Qld Arts Council.