INTRO
Based in Nipaluna Lutruwita (Hobart, Tasmania), Sasha Gavlek (they/them) is a contemporary bassist, band leader, composer, visual artist, and educator, with a love for improvisation, alternative jazz, and indie rock/folk.
Gavlek graduated from the UTAS Conservatorium of music with a Bachelor of Music in 2019, and is a prominent and busy musician of the island, regularly performing within several established ensembles, and often travelling interstate to play and connect with musicians in Naarm (Melbourne) and Gadigal (Sydney).
In 2022, they released their debut original alt-jazz album, On Second Thoughts by the Sasha Gavlek Quartet, and in 2025 have begun performing with their indie rock/folk singer-songwriter project Soupy Mood.
Focusing heavily on atmosphere and interpersonal connection, Gavlek’s compositions utilize improvisation to explore themes of personal struggle and growth, their pieces allowing space for each band member’s own abstract musical interpretation of the subject matter.
Passionate in introspection, Gavlek is currently seeking collaborations and learning opportunities that will further develop their cultural understanding, and connection to self, both within and outside of music. With knowledge gained they wish to create greater opportunities and staunch advocacy for gender diversity within Lutruwita's music scene.
JAZZ
Following a two-page feature in Dingo Jazz Magazine, Spring 2022 edition, Gavlek launched their alt-jazz debut EP On Second Thoughts with their self-titled quartet at Lutruwita’s (TAS) Clarence Jazz Festival in early 2023, a festival of which they have been heavily involved with for almost ten years, having won the ‘Prolific Player Award’ twice (2021-2022) in recognition of most acts played in across the festival.
In December of 2023, Gavlek performed their compositions at The Jazzlab in Naarm (MEL), fulfilling the first phase of a collaboration between the Clarence Jazz Festival and the Melbourne Women's International Jazz Festival. There, they performed alongside Naarm based Stella Anning, Holly Thomas, Ashley Ballat, and (Lutruwita based) Gus Leighton, and were the recipient of the 'MWIJF 2023 Recording Prize at Rolling Stock Studios'. In February of 2024, Gavlek completed the second phase of this collaboration, performing together with Australian jazz legends Shannon Barnett, Kyrie Anderson, and Stella Anning at the Clarence Jazz Festival in 2024.
Continuing to create connections and strengthen pre-existing musical friendships interstate, Gavlek completed their first tour under their name in 2025. Beginning in Naarm at Bar 303, dual headlining with violinist Annwen Roberts, and then continuing to Gadigal (SYD) and Ngambri & Ngunnawal (ACT) where they performed as the Sasha Gavlek Quartet with Gadigal based musicians Michael J Brady, Alex Inman-Hislop, Kali Gillen, and Ngambri & Ngunnawal based Somesh Putcha at multiple venues including the iconic Monday Night Confessions at Church St Studios. Back home in Lutruwita, the Sasha Gavlek Quartet had the honour of opening for renowned American jazz singer and five-times Grammy winner, Samara Joy at the Odeon on October 18th.
Within Lutruwita Gavlek performs within a myriad of jazz ensembles outside of their own quartet including The Gus Leighton Quartet, A Supreme Love (led by Spike Mason), and Uncle Gus & the Rimshots to name a few. In 2024 they received the Hobart Jazz Club’s Jack Duffy award in recognition of their contribution to the Hobart Jazz scene.
CONTEMPORARY
A prolific performer within Lutruwita’s music scene for over ten years, Gavlek is no stranger to playing across a diverse range of contemporary genres outside of jazz including neo-soul, indie pop and rock, afrobeat, funk, and folk to name some, solidifying themselves as not only a prominent bassist, but as a valued bandleader and songwriter within the island state.
In 2025 they debuted their original indie rock/folk group Soupy Mood, officially launching their singer-songwriter works for the first time.
CURRENT CONTEMPORARY PROJECTS AS BASSIST/WRITER/CO-WRITER
Soupy Mood (indie rock/folk)
Shade (instrumental groove)
The Lutruwita Art Orchestra (improvised, genre-bending)
FFLORA (improvised alt pop)
FFLORA X Grace Chia (9 piece hip hop)
Kudu Joy (alt pop)
Eliza Bird (alt pop/indie rock)
Rá Bellatrix (dance/electronic)
Balachko Beats (European folk/pop).
Gavlek has also performed in Nipaluna with various high profile artists based locally, out of state, and internationally, including Dewayne Everettsmith (2024), Shannon Barnett (Clarence Jazz Festival 2024), Sandy Evans (Clarence Jazz Festival 2023), Peter Combe (Christmas Tour 2018, Greatest Hits Tour 2021), Maddy Jane (2021-2023), Dami Im (Festival of Voices 2019), and as a support act (Kudu Joy) for The Veronicas (2020).
When they’re not performing or writing, Gavlek tutors contemporary bass, provides musical accompaniment across local schools, and dabbles in event production.