21 August 2025
Nine emerging jazz musicians were presented with $32,500 in awards at A Night of Jazz with Linda May Han Oh – Helpmann Academy’s annual jazz awards event that honours outstanding musicians from the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide.
Held at the beautiful UKARIA Cultural Centre at Mount Barker Summit, on Saturday 16 August, the event was a celebration of contemporary jazz and artistry, offering the rare opportunity for ticket holders to witness world-class talent alongside the next generation of jazz musicians in an unforgettable performance.
“Linda May Han Oh’s return to Adelaide offered an instrumental experience for our jazz students and graduates. Her global perspective, artistic integrity, and invaluable mentorship deeply resonated with our music community. Working with an artist of her calibre at such a formative stage in their careers can be life–changing, and we are delighted to have presented this extraordinary opportunity in partnership with the Helpmann Academy.”
Professor Jennie Shaw, Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Academic), University of Adelaide
The performance started with the award-winning jazz graduates showcasing their talents after an intensive and hands-on week of workshops with Linda May Han Oh, with each musician having their moment to shine on stage.
Linda May Han Oh then joined the band of award winners who captured the audience with a range of contemporary and classic tunes, ahead of the Elder Conservatorium lecturers and teaching staff taking to the stage to close the event. Highlights were the a capelle start with four talented vocalists and a ‘super bass’ set with two Double Bass musicians joining Linda on stage.
“Past award nights have been modelled after the concert-hall jazz tradition, but this year’s award afternoon was presented in the bare intimacy of a chamber setting.”
Edmund Black, in his article ‘Music review: A Night of Jazz with Linda May Han Oh’ (InReview)
Read the full InReview article here and check out our photo gallery below.
Helpmann Academy Langley Award for Jazz 2025: Lachlan McGargill
Image: Lachlan McGargill playing saxophone. Photo credit: Sam Roberts.
Jazz graduate Lachlan McGargill was presented with the top honour of the night, the Helpmann Academy Langley Award for Jazz valued at $7,500, which is supported by K&S Langley Family.
After graduating from the James Morrison Academy of Music (UniSA) with academic excellence in 2020, Lachlan continued his academic career at the Elder Conservatorium of Music the following year. Completing the Honours Degree of Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance) with a 7.0 GPA, he was awarded with First Class Honours. During Lachlan’s time studying, he was selected to be second alto for the inaugural Australian National Youth Jazz Orchestra (2021) featuring Will Vinson. Following this, in both 2023 and 2024 he was successful in auditioning for the ‘JM Jazz World Orchestra’ and was privileged to tour across Europe as both first and second tenor.
This year, Lachlan’s focus has been on touring his original music across Australia and playing with other young Australian professionals. His original music has been a culmination of modern and traditional jazz, funk, gospel, heavy metal, jungle/DnB and a focus on unique forms, metric modulations, harmonic complexity and pushing his technical and musical boundaries.
“I feel very lucky to have won the Helpmann Academy Langley Award for Jazz. A lot of work has gone into not only my music but the whole application for this award, and I’m very privileged to be awarded it today.”
Lachlan McGargill, Helpmann Academy Langley Award for Jazz 2025 recipient
Having achieved this award, Lachlan is now set to record his first album titled ‘Beyond’. The album will be comprised of ten original compositions that feature jazz, heavy metal, gospel, funk and jungle/DnB elements, performed by a 6-piece band, including himself. The project will begin recording in early April through Wizard Tone Studios.
Helpmann Academy Award for Voice 2025: Ruby Zoontjens
Image: Ruby Zoontjens and Dr. Rob Lyons. Photo credit: Sam Roberts.
Vocalist Ruby Zoontjens was the recipient of the Helpmann Academy Award for Voice 2025 valued at $5,000, supported by Dr Rob Lyons.
Ruby Zoontjens is a vocalist from Adelaide in her final year at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, studying a Bachelor of Music, Jazz Performance – Voice. As a self-employed musician, she regularly performs across diverse genres, showcasing her versatility. Ruby proudly serves as a vocalist in the Royal Australian Navy Band and is a dedicated vocal teacher. Ruby’s artistry and dedication have been recognised through various accolades, most notably being the recipient of this award.
“Having the opportunity to attend a five-day songwriting retreat in New York alongside award-winning songwriter Andrea Stolpe and other international artists will allow me to collaborate and develop as a songwriter to eventually release my own music. I am so grateful for the generous support the Helpmann Academy and Dr Rob Lyons have provided to make this happen. Thank you so much.”
Ruby Zoontjens, Helpmann Academy Award for Voice 2025 recipient
Congratulations to all the winners:
LACHLAN MCGARGILL
Helpmann Academy Langley Award for Jazz
$7,500 | Supported by K&S Langley Family
RUBY ZOONTJENS
Helpmann Academy Award for Voice 2025
$5,000 | Supported by Dr Rob Lyons
MILLIE CURRY
Helpmann Academy Top Honours Award
$5,000 | Supported by Lang Family Foundation
COURTENEY HOOPER
Helpmann Academy Top Undergraduate Award
$5,000 | Supported by Rod & Christine Cornish
MAISIE AITKEN
Helpmann Academy Award for Outstanding Vocalist
$2,000 | Supported by Dr Rob Lyons
LACHLAN DURRANS
Helpmann Academy Award for Outstanding Drummer
$2,000 | Supported by DankPods
CHRISTOPHER ALLEN
Helpmann Academy Award for Outstanding Bassist
$2,000 | Supported by DankPods
KALLAN FRANCIS
Helpmann Academy Award for Outstanding Guitar
$2,000 | Supported by Jeremy Duffy
JACOB PHILLIPS
Tommy Norman Award 2024
$2,000 | Supported by Kim Norman & Family, University of Adelaide & Helpmann Academy
CHAIR ANDERSON
Tommy Norman Award 2023
$2,000 | Supported by Kim Norman & Family, University of Adelaide & Helpmann Academy
A Night of Jazz returns in 2026.
A huge thank you to the presenting partners, supporting partners and the award donors.
PRESENTING PARTNERS
Helpmann Academy
The University of Adelaide
SUPPORTED BY
Government of South Australia, through CreateSA
UKARIA Cultural Centre
David McKee AO & Pam McKee
AWARD DONORS
K&S Langley Family
Dr Rob Lyons
Lang Family Foundation
Rod & Christine Cornish
DankPods
Jeremy Duffy, The Chili Crabs
The University of Adelaide
Kim Norman & Family
Images: Courtesy of Helpmann Academy. Photos by Sam Roberts.
IMAGE GALLERY:
