The Jazz Jammers Newsletter 27th August 2025
2.30pm start next Sunday
Quando'nt Quando'nt Quando'nt
Jam Session Review for 23rd August 2025
A Session cut short (2.30 - 5.30) as the Gov had some real people coming in at 6.00pm and their venue insurance does not include for hearing loss...
Of the jammers, Annie Rossini turned up too late - apologies but we couldn't run over; and Rose gave up trying after being caught up in a traffic incident. Mike Holt turned up and didn't play, Alan West, looking good, sat and listened, Paolo (guitar) did get up but quietly left the stage when he could find no place to fit in with the lineup - (see The Boatshed Cafe below for his next appearance).
It started as a quiet jam, but by mid arvo the kitchen's order rack was filling up nicely. 18 jammers did play - and were all upstaged by a cameo from Roger, looking a bit better than his last appearance, and fresh from a stint with Larry Keane at The Umbrella Bar.
Trumpeter James made a tentative first appearance - he will improve with experience - accompanied by bassist Kaori amongst others. Andrea was back for a warble after several years, and Keith (sax) decided to play up a storm - nice one!
The Hero To Zero Award (I didn't know there was one, but hey ho...) must go to Annabelle Crutchely Smythe's antipodean cousin who, having sung Quando Quando Quando (does it have three verses?) to an appreciative crowd at the Boatshed Cafe in the morning, found herself completely at sea with the same song, due to a jammers accompaniment that could best be described as... but probably won't be.
The rest of you - Mike P, Ash, Libby, Debbie, Christine, Phil, Paul (sax), Bruce (drums) and Stan (bass) shall all remain nameless.
It was, perhaps, not the best jam session ever, but was possibly the shortest.
The Governors Hall
27 Hall St, Hawthorn East VIC 3123
Every Sunday, 2.30pm to 6.00pm. Bring your own charts, or use ours. Enthusiasm essential, Performance Anxiety optional, Charts a bonus, Competence to be well concealed as a kindness to others.
More Gigs and stuff....
Jazz at the Boatshed Cafe
Last week's session saw Annie Smith in fine form, and another good crowd stopping by for a listen.
This week, Megan Slattery, with Don Gula on bass, Paolo on guitar, and the usual rubbish on keys.
Sunday 31st August, swinging hard from 10.30am - 1.30pm. Drop by and say g'day!
The Boatshed Cafe, Albert Park: stop in the Aquatic Drive car park, and head for the water's edge. Munchies and a coffee served by Anna's hand-picked friendly staff...
The Dirty Duchess and the CCQ are starting to cook
Rose put up a really good set last week - and this gig is starting to feel like it is going to be a winner - owner Sam keeps asking us back, and we keep coming...even Dot turned up for this one.
This week, Aneta, another of the locals, will be back from Broome to, hopefully, sing up a storm, accompanied by Steve Martin (bass), Neville Broatch (guitar), The Good Captain (sax) and the extra 3b Reserve Copyboy, all the way from Bendigo Towers, on keys.
Quite how long we can keep this swinging remains to be seen, but so far so good...Drop by for a coffee and a chat.
The Duchess of Spotswood Cafe, 87 Hudsons Road, Spotswood, each Saturday 10.30am to 12.30 pm.
Castlemaine Jazz Jam
Now at The Maurocco Bar, Midland Hotel, Castlemaine, opposite the railway station.
First Sunday of every month, 2 - 5pm... The next jam will be on Sunday 7th September.
Click on the link to get some of Gwynn's photos of past sessions.
https://www.facebook.com/gwynn.james.7/
News of other Festivals
Australian Jazz Convention
26 - 31 December 2025
The 79th AJC - the Daddy of them all. Their first Newsletter for the Mildura based Convention is out, and well worth a read - pretty much all the information you need.
"The Australian Jazz Convention is the longest-running annual jazz event in the world, tracing its roots back to a 1944 idea by Ade Monsbourgh to host a jazz gathering after World War II. The first convention was held in Melbourne in 1946, and it has continued annually since then, moving between different cities and states across Australia. The convention is a volunteer-run, non-profit event where musicians, both amateur and professional, gather to perform and celebrate jazz music. "
source Wikipedia
Port Fairy Jazz Festival
February 13th - 15th 2026
The biggest Festival in Victoria. Quite a few Jammers have this on their to-do list. Lots of info on the website - band registrations are open.
https://www.portfairyjazz.com.au/
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.