The Jazz Jammers Newsletter 21st October 2025
Back at The Gov
Wot - No Jam?
So some of us went to Col's 80th instead...
And what a bash that turned out to be - well over 80 jammers, musos, Challis Street fandangoists, family and friends at The Junction Hotel, which has probably never had that many musos in the joint before. Even the bar staff had fun...
Started with a full set from The Port Phillip Show Band - and if any of you guys read this drivel, that was a great set - culminating in Aneta, Megan and Fris headlining "Happy". Then Southern Duck - Sala's trio, followed by a whole bunch of musos - I was long gone by then but I am told the traditional dreadful racket ran to nearly midnight, and a good time was had by all. Props to Megan for leading the chaotic conga, to Neville, Mike, Roger and all the others who helped set up and pack up.
It has taken The Good Captain, aka Captain Chaos, aka The Duracell Kid, eighty years to organise this so we really should not be surprised that it ran so well.
The next Jam (this Sunday) is going to seem positively restrained by comparison.
See ya at The Gov?
Jam Session at The Governors Hall
27 Hall St, Hawthorn East VIC 3123
Every Sunday, 2.30pm to 6.00pm. back on October 26th. 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.
This week from the Archives
Click on the link: browse the past newsletter article, waste an entire afternoon.
Jazz Genres Explained:
https://www.melbournejazzjammers.com.au/post/jazz-genres-explained-1
More Gigs and stuff....
Jazz at the Boatshed Cafe
Change the Date!
Yuko's set last week was one of the best for quite a while - a smaller but enthusiasticish (I looked that adjective up in the Dictionary to make sure it wasn't there) audience.
This week, we will be playing on Saturday - the irrepressible Annie Smith sings, Hermann Schweiger on bass, with saxophonist Jeff Harris, joining the usual rubbish on keys...looking forward to this one!
Saturday 25th October, 10.30am - 1.30pm.
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...
Annie at the Boatshed Cafe
Jeff Harris - first time at the Boatshed.
Jazz at The Duchess
Last week's singer Aneta was the real deal - and yet again the Duchess was stuffed to the gills, while outside appeared reserved for friends of the band....
This Saturday, Megan Slattery is back with the band - with pianist Tony Luxmoore joining the CCQ. Drop by and say g'day!
Saturday 25th October, at The Duchess of Spotswood, 87 Hudsons Road, Spotswood. the CCQ goes wild - 10.30am - 12.30pm.
Castlemaine Jazz Jam
At The Maurocco Bar, Midland Hotel, Castlemaine, opposite the railway station. Get your band in early as this is a popular event with the locals.
First Sunday of every month, 2 - 5pm... The next jam will be on Sunday 2nd November.
Click on the link to get some of Gwynn's photos of past sessions.
News of other Festivals
Next Week!
Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival
31st October - 3rd November 2025
The Festival is back for a second year after its successful relaunch. Emma Pask with Bob Sedergreen, amongst others, are headlining, and there is a strong blues component.
All performances are individually ticketed which means you can just pay for the acts you want to see. Check out their promo
https://wangjazzblues.com.au/#/
Link to their latest news; The Brass Battle Heats Up - $12,000 in prizes, which is quite a lot for polishing the bugle....:
https://www.melbournejazzjammers.com.au/post/wangaratta-jazz-and-blues-2025
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/
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. And the October newsletter is in - click on the link below.
https://www.portfairyjazz.com.au/
https://www.melbournejazzjammers.com.au/post/port-fairy-jazz-festival-2026
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.