Jazz Jammers' Newsletter April 26th 2024
Serafina: a classy upgrade on the inside, still the Old Beehive on the outside, and there is free parking on the left...
Too Many Good Musos
Jam session review for Sunday 21st April 2024
Well, as somone remarked midway through a great session, there are too many good musos here .. although the Good Captain did well to get everyone a spot. The day started, as ever, with a guitar only session, which is one way of ensuring things improve as the day wears on...then came some terrific performances, aided and abetted by we managed to get the sound balance right from the get 0- go. The Bounder shone, Annie made a welcome return, and the seven saxophonists set a new record for (a) being seven saxophonists, and (b) behaving rather well.
Pick of the day? A fine funk version of Summertime from pianist Philip, Jamie on bass, Tony Wharton on sax: Moishe Gershowvitz would have been proud of this take on his sons' song.
We cannot possibly maintain this standard, (but it is fun while it lasts) and must implore singers Brigid, Paul and Elly, saxophonists Mike, Tony, the Captain, the Cad and others, drummers Martin, Mike and I forget whosisname, guitarists Neville, Roger, Mike (Harper) and whatever to lower their game on occasion..
Next week will be the last Jam before the Jazz Festival and we expect it will be a quiet one (hah!) - props to all those who are putting in some long hours on the Fest - and still turning up for a quiet little Jam.
See ya Sunday!,
The next Sunday Jam Session is on 28th April
4.00pm at Serafina, corner of Barkers Road and Church Street, Kew.,
Upcoming Gigs This Week and beyond
The Challis Street Fandango, Saturday 27th April
This Saturday, The Gypsy Djangos. Never quite sure who will be in it as it does seem to change every fortnight, but you will have to turn up to find out.
Al Fresco Jazz at Challis Street Cafe, Newport: Saturday 27th April, probably start around 11.00am.,
Sunday Jazz at the Boatshed Cafe, Sunday 28th April
This week, Poppy La Novia adds her unique style to the Trio (meself, Ivan Sultanoff (double bass) and I am not sure who soloing. Expect lots of Latin, in exotic keys only a mother could love. Rather looking forward to this one...
The Cafe is now a sponsor of the Newport Jazz Festival. This is the only cafe in Albert Park, on the
lake's edge. Drinks, snacks, coffees and gossip, followed by Anna's signature toasties. Kick back and listen to some jazz in the sun.
Other Festival News - and news of other Festivals
Newport Jazz Festival, 3rd, 4th, 5th May 2024
The MJJ sponsored event is now in its fourth year.(check out the Home page on this website and click on the link below for a review - interesting how we are perceived from the outside!).
90 bands applied, for the 41 available spots, including Bob Sedergreen, Shirazz, and Julie O'Hara with Adam Rudegeair as featured artists. As a result, even though some seriously good musos missed out, the standard will be ridiculously high.
Tickets are selling now - and the lowest ticket prices of all the Festivals listed.
A heap of fun all weekend, great venues, and your chance to catch up with friends, including some of the finest jazz musicians. I'm going. Are you?.
Castlemaine Jazz Festival 7th To 9th June 2024
Started by Melbourne Jazz Jammers in 2014, so we have a soft spot for this one.
Band applications have now closed and the program is out. Headline Act Vince Jones! Hmmm... Check out the promo video - hot!
Merimbula Jazz Festival 42nd Merimbula Jazz Festival 7-10 June 2024
"If you want to experience the pleasure of playing and/or listening to some wonderfully talented jazz musicians of all ages, put June 7-10, 2024 in your diary."
Inverloch Jazz Festival 2-4 August 2024
This Festival, in the delightful seaside town of Inverloch, has always been a good one, and has thrived post Covid. All the regular Festival bands will be there again- and a few new faces thrown in for good measure.
Wangaratta Jazz Festival, 1-3 November 2024
Yes, you read that right: a bunch of local enthusiasts/dreamers/lunatics (not sure which, you decide) is proposing to revive the Festival, which we all thought had carked it ("The Last Hurrah") in 2023
The jam sessions are a side gig run by the Melbourne Jazz Jammers Inc., who are currently spending more time on the upcoming Newport Festival which is our main focus for the next few weeks.
If you would like to help pack up after the Jam each week, you are unlikely to meet much resistance. Really...
About Melbourne Jazz Jammers Inc.
