Wondering about 2027? The committee is working on the 2027 Newport Jazz Festival, planned for May 1st and 2nd.
The Jazz Jammers Newsletter 21st October 2026
The 18th of October Jam
2:30-5:30 @ The Palace Hotel 893 Burke Rd Camberwell 3124 (9813 3566)
Musicians by instrument in alphabetical order:
Bass: Ivan, Joe, Mike H
Drums: Prosper, Mac
Guitar: Fermin, Mike H, Mike P, Neville, Roger
Keyboard: Phil (Vocal)
Percussion: Mike
Saxophone: Colin, Jeff, Keith
Flute: Julian (Elec. Sax)
Flugelhorn: Andre
Vocals: Annie, Brian, Julie, Kerry, Kevin, Lisbeth, Susan
We were joined by a family of ten having a meal plus a birthday cake who stayed all day on the front table, that’s a first.
A benefit of the jam is when someone performs a knock out song that you are unaware of, the song was A Beautiful Friendship composed Donald Kahn lyrics Stanley Styne first recorded by Ella Fitzgerald in 1956 well worth checking out.
The Tina Arena documentary “Unravel Me” on 7+ is a great insight into a super singer.
Jammers Prosper and Phil have their first-year recital on the 10 Nov at Monash University which is an open event.
When Colin says you are on next it is important that you have your charts ready, instruments tuned so when you get on stage you are ready for the count. There shouldn’t need to be any discussion on the intro or ending, the chart should tell the musicians everything i.e. tempo, style. A lot of time is lost on stage without playing music which makes it hard to fit everyone in who arrives.
If you have created your charts in IReal, then if you practice with IReal the charts will work at the jam the way you expect.
Please forward any pictures to 0423499836, one picture per band. *
Ensure your name is on the attendance sheet.
Parking a problem? - Camberwell railway station is next door to The Palace.
Thanks to Mike P for providing this report.
* Photos may also be sent to info@melbournejazzjammers.com.au , (to avoid the inherent loss of quality when being sent by MMS). Feel free to add a review of any outstanding successes or trainwrecks during the jam - nothing defamatory!
More Gigs and stuff....
Jazz at the Boatshed Cafe
The next Boatshed Cafe session will be on
Sunday 25th October,
10.30am - 1.30pm.
This week, Annie Smith will be singing, backed by Steve Gilbert on violin, Don Gula on bass and Ted 'The Usual' on keys.
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
The Captain Chaos Quartet will appear this Saturday, 24th October, headed up by
Debra Woodroffe on vocals.
Drop by for a coffee and/or stay for lunch!
The Duchess of Spotswood Cafe, 87 Hudsons Road, Spotswood
Saturday mornings, 10.30 - 12.30
Mr Boogie Man Bar
Bop Till ya Drop with support band
7pm til late on the last Thursday of every month
166 Hoddle St Abbotsford
This Sunday!
Castlemaine Jazz Jam
First Sunday of the month
Train! All the way from Southern Cross for small coin – and a mighty pleasant trip for Melbournians in need of some country air. The Maurocco Bar is nearly 200m from the station, so you will probably need a rest when you get there…
...and the Castlemaine Jam, which has been running since 2014, is characterised by a warm welcome, an enthusiastic audience, and some musos of satisfyingly varied abilities. Worth a visit but don’t do it too often, as we would all like to see you at the Melbourne Jazz Jammers....
The next Jam session will be on 1st November at The Maurocco Bar, 4 Templeton St, Castlemaine VIC 3450. ( and the first Sunday of every month)
2 - 5pm ...
Photos of the last jam:
https://www.facebook.com/gwynn.james.7/
A great place to jam, meet other musicians, and have a lot of fun!
The Maroonday Jazz Jam is a musical space for anybody regardless of musical skills. Our jam normally takes place on the first Saturday of each month.
See our website for more information and details about our next FREE jam in Ringwood North, next to North Ringwood Tennis Club
Other festivals news
The 80th Australian Jazz Convention will be celebrated this December in Dubbo NSW.
This letter from the Jazz Convention Executive is seeking donations to keep the event going.
Inverloch Jazz Festival was planned for July 31st to August 2nd
Cancelled due to new superannuation laws.
Port Fairy will be back on 12-14 February 2027. Here is their latest newsletter. Details are also available at their website (band registrations opening soon).
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 recently celebrated its sixth sucessful 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) at the jam sessions.