2nd, 3rd May 2026
The Jazz Jammers Newsletter 13th March 2026
Fasten seat belts
Appeal for helping hands...
The Jam Session will be missing Nev and Colin this weekend as they have a gig on Sunday afternoon.
If you are able to get to the jam early this Sunday, Mike and others who regularly do the bump in and soundcheck would certainly appreciate some extra hands to get the gear set up and going. If you come later, please consider staying just a little longer to give a hand packing up. Thanks!
This week direct to you via the tarmac at Heathrow....
The jam on Sunday 8th March at The Palace: the afternoon went well with a much improved sound ,
2 local musicians arrived to check us out. Hopefully they will bring their instruments next week, There were about 20 listeners in the room who stayed all day. Downstairs/ lots of people watching the Grand Prix
The Jam:
Guitars; Ashley, Mike, Neville and Roger.
Saxophones: Jeff and Col
Vocals: Buddy, Gary Moran, Annie and Debbie.
Piano; Malcolm, Phil and John
Drums: Martin, Mac and Andre, plus Mike on bongos
Flute: Ruby
Bass: Stan and Adam
Might see you next Sunday or the one after?
Next Jam at the Palace: 2.30pm Sunday 15th March:
More Gigs and stuff....
Jazz at the Boatshed Cafe
Update: no jazz at the Boatshed for another week while the Grand Prix folks pack up. We will return on
Sunday 22nd March, 10.30am - 1.30pm.
The Boatshed Cafe, Albert Park: stop in the Aquatic Drive car park, and head for the water's edge. Munchies, toasties and a coffee served by Anna's hand-picked friendly staff...
The Duchess: not this week
The Captain Chaos Quartet will be skipping next Saturday morning 14th March.
The Duchess of Spotswood Cafe, 87 Hudsons Road, Spotswood
Next session: Saturday 21st March 10.30 - 12.30
The Bandwagon this Sunday
Megan & Aneta & The CCQ will instead be performing across the road on the Bandwagon (cnr Forrest St and Hudsons Rd) on Sunday 15th March 2:30-3:30 as part of Spotswood Summer Sessions.
Street closed off, seating, umbrellas, wine bar, pet friendly!
The Umbrella Lounge Bar
put on your boogie shoes and come and party with the 'Martini Men' featuring Phil Ress (piano/vocals), Ash Thompson (vocals/harmonica), Martin Clifton (drums) Roger 'Heavens' (guitar) and Steve Martin (bass).
7pm - 9pm Friday 13th March
338-340 Glen Huntly Rd, Elsternwick VIC 3185
This Friday!
Mr Boogie Man Bar
Bop Till ya Drop supported by Captain Chaos Quartet featuring Aneta Graham and Megan Slattery
7pm - late Thursday 26th March
166 Hoddle St Abbotsford
Bob Sedergreen and Friends
A Tribute to Jazz Pianists
If you love jazz, love jazz piano players, play jazz piano or are a student of piano, then you will love this gig. Audiences always walk away saying how great this show is.
Saluting the great pianists/composers from Earl ‘Fatha’ Hines to Keith Jarrett. Jazz is a litany of great pianists Fats
Waller and Earl Hines in the thirties, Duke Ellington in the forties and fifties, Les McCann and Bobby Timmins in the sixties. The big three, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul and Chick Corea in the seventies as well as a few other surprises.
Come on this musical journey with legendary pianist Bob Sedergreen whose career now spans sixty years of hard driving jazz of all genres. Joining Bob for this musical tour will be bassist, Jon Chidgey and drummer Gordon Pendleton.
Their empathy will be apparent to all. A must see for lovers of jazz piano - a light-hearted fun romp
Friday 27th March 2026
Time: 6:00 pm
Venue: Paris Cat,
6 Goldie Place,
Melbourne
Castlemaine (Jazz Jam ) - new format...
The next Jam session will be on 5th April at The Maurocco Bar, 4 Templeton St, Castlemaine VIC 3450. ( first Sunday of every month, 2 - 5pm )...
Photos of the last jam:
https://www.facebook.com/gwynn.james.7/
The Castlemaine Jam Session is seeking to try new formats - maybe a house band to accompany soloists and singers, maybe continue the open mic approach, maybe rely on half a dozen or so established players, and encourage newcomers
Every good jam session should do this - constantly evolving and developing... exciting times ahead, so now would be a good time to to give it a whirl.
Festival News - and news of other Festivals
Newport Jazz Festival Australia
2nd, 3rd May 2026
Band offers have been sent out*
* If you registered your band and have not received a 'yay' or 'nay' email yet, please check your spam folder.
If you received a 'yay', it's time for your group members to register on the musicians registration page.
The sixth annual triumph of optimism and amnesia over experience and enthusiasm...
The friendly Festival is back - we have been planning this for a while now, and confirm that Festival favourites Bob Sedergreen and band, and the delightful Sarah Maclaine with her quartet, will be back - along with around 40 other bands - some crowd favourites returning, some new faces to add spice to the mix, and a coupla big bands to add some oomph to the ooh...
This year, we are using the two Bowls Club stages, the Scout Hall and the Library, and squeezing the programme into two packed days.
Save the date!
https://www.melbournejazzjammers.com.au/
Inverloch Jazz Festival
31 July - 2nd August 2026
The Inverloch lads are just getting under way on the 2026 Festival - we don't have the details yet, but this Festival has always been a favourite, and we will post info as it comes to hand...
https://www.inverlochjazzfestival.com/
Done and Dusted
Port Fairy Jazz Festival
February 13th - 15th 2026
The biggest Festival in Victoria and we don't have an exhaustive list of all the jammers who went, but there were a lot - by all accounts a really good weekend.
Gwynn James posted some video clips on FB, including a couple of Jammers' bands:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/4221071461489172/?referral_source=external_deeplink
https://www.portfairyjazz.com.au/
Geelong Jazz & Blues Festival
14 & 15 March 2026
THIS WEEKEND
About Melbourne Jazz Jammers
The jam sessions are a side gig run by the Melbourne Jazz Jammers Inc., a Not For Profit Incorporated Association - the Jam Sessions started before 2002 at Dizzy's Jazz Club, and have run on a weekly basis ever since. We also promote The Newport Jazz Festival Australia, which is coming up for its sixth year.
The Jammers are loosely run by an organising Committee of volunteers.
If you would like volunteer for the Festival and/or help pack up after the Jam each week, you are unlikely to meet much resistance. Really...
If you would like to throw your hat in the ring for a spot at one of the gigs, contact Col (he needs a new hat), or Ted at the jam sessions.