EDITORIAL On Sunday week (the 28th.) the MJC has a large-scale, all-day "marathon" presentation to mark our 35th. Anniversary Celebration, with almost 10 hours of music at two venues. 35 years of continual year-round programming is, of course, quite a significant achievement purely in terms of survival and commitment in an era of constantly changing trends and fashions. Unlike some other funded - and more fashionable - arts organisations we have not managed to create an "empire" (there is only a home office and one part-time staff after all of this time). However, we are justifiably proud of our undeniably vital contribution to the impressive growth of Melbourne's contemporary jazz scene over the past 35 years, and we are celebrating that achievement. Unlike our 25th. and 30th. Celebrations, the 35th. has not been curated by me, but by our Chairperson, trumpeter/composer Eugene Ball, and he has come up with a great program. Firstly, while this is not quite a 'handing-on of the baton' moment, it does demonstrate that the MJC would continue along smoothly if I was run over by that proverbial bus. Secondly, while there are many well- established artists in the program (including Barney McAll, Andrea Keller, Miroslav Bukovsky, Gian Slater, Sam Keevers, Scott Tinkler and Simon Barker), there is also a definite inclusion of some 'newer' artists such as James Macaulay's septet; Jenny Barnes; Andrea Keller's Apprentices; and, numerous younger artists (such as drummer Maddison Carter with MiroBall) performing with the experienced bandleaders. The MJC will continue to look to the future of this music (as well as providing a platform for experienced artists). In contrast to our 30th. Anniversary venue, The Edge at Federation Square, the Moreland Band Room is a venue that is comfortable and functional, but more "no-frills" and certainly unpretentious (harking back to many of our early venues). It is a hub of "northside" creativity, with various groups rehearsing there, and regular concerts, such as the Lebowski's Series, presented there. There is a large, no-cost off-street car park, and the Hall is situated a few blocks between the restaurants of Nicholson and Lygon Streets. It is entirely appropriate, as this event is intended to be both a great musical AND social day, when Melbourne's jazz community can come together with its supporters and listeners (with various musicians helping out behind the bar or serving food). It also marks the 'farewell' performance of trumpeter Scott Tinkler (a Brunswick resident, incidentally) before he and his wife relocate to Bruny Island, Tasmania. While we expect Scott to return regularly, it must be acknowledged that while he has been an integral member of some Melbourne ensembles, he has mainly concentrated on his own projects and being a creative artist, successfully developing his own personal sound and unique style (It was pleasing to see this achievement formally recognised by the Melbourne Music Prize award a few years back). So that is a further inducement - if needed - to attend. We hope to see you there! (And for those who cannot make the day, we have the impressive emerging talent of Niran Dasika that night at The Jazzlab, before he relocates to Perth). ▪ Martin Jackson
| Sunday, January 21, 8.30 pm-11 pm, at The Jazzlab, 27 Leslie Street, Brunswick $20 & $15 concessions Expatriate saxophonist Anton Delecca is on a brief visit from New York, where is undertaking post-graduate studies. His Quartet plays powerful, emotionally driven music with influences spanning contemporary NYC jazz to the spiritual jazz of Alice Coltrane and Middle Eastern influences. Their sound is underscored by the notion of emotional and spiritual connection through music. Their album The Healer (on Jazzhead), won ‘Best Jazz Album’ in the Music Victoria Genre Awards for 2014, with a follow-up album out this year. They will be performing music from this recording tonight. Featuring Anton Delecca (tenor saxophone), Luke Howard (piano), Jonathan Zion (bass), and Daniel Farrugia (drums). Visit www.antondeleccaquartet.com | JULIEN WILSON’S Mini-ARC (Autonomous Resilience Collective) + SCOTT VAN GEMERT OCTET -Premiere Thursday, January 25, 8.30 pm-11 pm, at Uptown Jazz Cafe, 177 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy $15 & $10 concessions This concert marks the last ever presentation by the M.I.C. (Melbourne Improvisers’ Collective), which has presented a weekly series at Uptown on Thursdays over the past three years, providing a platform for emerging young jazz-based artists. Tonight’s concert features an opening set by the Scott Van Gemert Octet, presenting “The Music of Thelonious Monk”. Trombonist van Gemert’s distinctive arranging style will produce a new perspective on the unique compositions of Monk. His ensemble features
Eugene Ball (trumpet), Carl Mackey (alto saxophone), Jonathon Cooper (tenor saxophone, flute), Adam Simmons (baritone saxophone), Kade Brown (piano), Paddy Fitzgerald (bass) and Luke Andresen (drums).
Julien Wilson (tenor sax) reconvenes a lithe version of the Autonomous Resilience Collective featuring Barney McAll (piano/bulbul tarang), Sam Anning (bass), Leigh Fisher (drums) and Javier Fredes (percussion). Australia Day Eve (and the conclusion of the MIC) presents the perfect moment for music that celebrates resistance, revolution and struggle. (Co-presented by the M.I.C. and the M.J.C.) | MJC'S 35th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION / PARTY Sunday, January 28th., 12.30-9.00 pm (Doors open noon)
Moreland City Band Hall, 16-22 Cross Street, Brunswick East
$35 & $25 concessions/Child $15/ Family of 4 $70/ Family of 5+ $75 TryBooking MJC Member Concessions (at the Door): Silver & Bronze Members $25 ($20 con.); Gold Members $20. Scott Tinkler and Simon Barker (Sydney)
Barney McAll Trio
Gian Slater with Invenio Choir
Andrea Keller: Masters and Apprentices
James Macaulay’s Happy Hoppy Orchestra
Sam Keevers’ Red Fish Blue (with Simon Barker)
Jenny Barnes and Mick Meagher
MiroBall Ensemble, with Miroslav Bukovsky (Canberra) To celebrate the MJC’s 35th. Anniversary (and the commencement of our 36th. Annual Program), MJC Chairperson Eugene Ball has curated an 8 hour event (and party) featuring many of Melbourne’s creative jazz artists (collaborating with Sydney drummer Simon Barker and Canberra-based trumpeter/composer Miroslav Bukovsky). Local trumpet iconoclast Scott Tinkler will perform in a duo with long-standing colleague Barker, in a final performance before relocating to Tasmania. Trumpeters Ball and Bukovsky will co-lead MiroBall. James Macaulay, recent winner of the National Jazz Brass Award, performs originals with his septet from his forthcoming album (which was recorded in Tokyo). Pianist Sam Keevers reconvenes his quartet, Red Fish Blue, which has recorded two albums. The duo of improvising vocalist Jenny Barnes and bassist Mick Meagher came together in 2016, releasing their debut album, “Cluster” that year. Their free improvisations explore aspects such as close intervals and dissonance. Over the past decade Gian Slater has established a formidable reputation as an improvising vocalist and leader of her Invenio choir (producing several albums, including Barney McAll’s “Graft”). The internationally-acclaimed McAll, who returned to Australia three years ago after two decades based in New York, and is the winner of the 2017 Jazz ARIA, will perform his originals with his Trio. And triple-ARIA winning pianist/composer Andrea Keller will open the event with one of her on-going projects, Masters and Apprentices (which combines recognised musicians with emerging talents) – something that the MJC has aimed to do throughout its 35 years.
Program (in order): Andrea Keller, Masters and Apprentices Collaboration between Andrea Keller and Sam Dates with recent VCA graduates, and current VCA students
Bede Ford-Gaddes (trumpet)
Max Slorach (tenor sax)
Andrea Keller (piano)
Robbie Finch (acoustic bass)
Sam Bates (drums) Scott Tinkler & Simon Barker (Duo) Improvised celebration of their several decades long musical relationship. MiroBall Collaboration between Eugene Ball and Miroslav Bukovsky (Canberra). Presenting a selection of Bukovsky’s tunes for Ten Part Invention, and Ball’s tunes for the Bennetts Lane Big Band for a 10-piece ensemble. Jenny Barnes and Mick Meagher (Duo) Vocal and electric bass improvisation Red Fish Blue Sam Keevers’ celebrated quartet featuring Sydney’s Simon Barker (drums), Javier Fredes (percussion), and guest, Christopher Hale (bass) Gian Slater and Invenio Josh Kyle
Louisa Rankin
Audur Zoega
Mim Crellin (tbc)
Gian Slater Barney McAll Trio Featuring Phillip Rex (bass) and Leigh Fisher (drums) James Macaulay’s Happy Hoppy Orchestra Recent National Jazz Brass Award winner James Macaulay presents an all-Australian personnel of the project he recently recorded in Tokyo, in collaboration with some of Japan’s finest young musicians. Featuring James Macaulay (trombone), Ben Harrison (trumpet), Scott McConnachie (alto sax), Kieran Hensey (tenor sax), Marty Holoubek (bass), Andrea Keller (piano) and Maria Moles (drums). Staged at Moreland City Band Room, Cross Street, Brunswick, it will be a musical event not-to-be-missed (like the MJC's 30th. Anniversary Concert). Accessible by No.1 or 96 Tram, or a 10 minute walk from Brunswick Train Station, there will be reasonably-priced bar and food service available throughout the event.
Pictured: Sam Keevers and Scott Tinkler, who performed a stunning duo set at Adrian Jackson's Jazz Benefit Concert in November. | Sunday, January 28, 8.30 pm, at The Jazzlab $20 & $15 concessions Young trumpeter Niran Dasika, who has spent much of the past year based in Japan, fulfilled much of his promise as runner-up at the 2017 National Jazz Brass Awards at the Wangaratta Festival. Equally at home in a variety of musical worlds from the straight ahead to the avant-garde, he always maintains a focus on lyricism and beauty. As a graduate from Monash, he has performed and recorded with the Monash Art Ensemble with international artists such as George Lewis, Mike Nock, Barney McAll, Nasheet Waits and Mark Helias. He released a debut album, Manticore (Phantom) in 2015. Only just returned from Tokyo, he is about to relocate to Perth, making this an exclusive performance. For this concert he will collaborate with pianist Joseph O’Connor and bassist Marty Holoubek, performing some music from the album as well as some new compositions. | MAKE-IT-UP CLUB TURNS 20 in JANUARY Congratulations to the Make-It-Up Club on reaching their 20th. Anniversary! There have been several variants in programming policy as the 'baton' has passed on from founders Ren Walters and Will Guthrie, but it still presents adventurous music-making on a weekly basis. Every Tuesday night at Bar Open, on Brunswick Street. | MELBOURNE IMPROVISERS COLLECTIVE BEING DISSOLVED IN JANUARY The Committee of the M.I.C. (the Melbourne Improvisers Collective) have decided to cease operations after their last presentation on January 25 at Uptown Jazz Café. Formed in 2010 to present emerging young jazz-based artists, their weekly series started at Gertrude’s Brown Couch and has run at Uptown on Thursdays over the past three years, usually presenting double bills. The M.I.C. has been managed by various young musicians, including trumpeter Travis Woods and saxophonist Liam Werrett (pictured), and had been a valuable additional platform for Melbourne’s under-resourced contemporary jazz scene. The MJC had been co-presenting a monthly concert in the MIC's Series, enabling the musicians to be paid a set fee. | NEW CD RELEASE BY TED VINING TRIO (FROM A MJC GIG) Hobart-based drummer Ted Vining, pianist Bob Sedergreen and bassist Gareth Hill were recorded live at The Jazzlab on October 1, 2017 as part of the MJC’s Sunday night series. Titled Some Other Time, there are eight tracks, mainly not-s standard pieces, with one Sedergreen original, “Holmes Jones”. It can be purchased at gigs, or for $25 (including postage and handling) by contacting: edwardnormanvining@gmail.com raeseds@ozemail.com.au gareth@keanyhill.wattle.id.au | BILL FRISELL Film: DVD & BluRay now available for purchase! Emma Franz's acclaimed film on Bill Frisell is now available of DVD and BluRay.
Limited first-run stock will be sent out in early January, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Second run to be sent out mid-January. Gift Certificates available now! All items sold exclusively through the film's website: www.BillFrisellFilm.com | NEW POLICY FOR REVIEWS OF JAZZ ALBUMS IN "THE AUSTRALIAN" NEWSPAPER Eric Myers, currently reviewing jazz CDs for The Weekend Australian newspaper, advises as follows. The new Music Reviews editor Andrew McMillen, who has succeeded the late Iain Shedden, has issued guidelines that are more stringent than in the past. He has asked that all critics pitch him albums that are soon-to-be-released, rather than recently released. “The reviews page is meant to be populated with brand new releases, as close to release date as possible”, he says. So, all jazz artists who wish to have their albums considered for review should email Eric at emyers2568@gmail.com as soon as the impending date of release of an album is known. Or, CDs should be sent to 11 Brunton Pl, Marsfield NSW 2122, as soon as possible. If Eric is aware that an album is about to be released, this minimises the possibility that an album review may be rejected by Andrew McMillen because it has come to Andrew’s notice too late for publication. | VIRGIL DONATI BAND + KARRYN ALLISON at BIRD'S BASEMENT Bird's Basement's program for January and February features vocalist KARRIN ALLYSON (USA) with the Joe Chindamo Trio on January 24-28;
VIRGIL DONATI BAND (USA) on January 30-February 4; and CYRUS CHESTNUT TRIO (USA) on February 21-25. | KAMASI WASHINGTON Thursday, March 8, at The Forum, After his debut 2016 'side tour' (via the Byron Bay Blues Fest) tenor saxophonist Kamasi Wasahington returns with a 10-piece ensemble. | JOHANNES LUEBBERS, JAMES MULLER, DAVID ADES & OTHER AUSTRALIAN JAZZ ALBUMS AVAILABLE FROM THE MJC In its support of some artists with independent releases (whom we have presented), the MJC has bought a quantity of their CD albums to sell for only $20 (including postage).
One of these is that of former Perth-based arranger Johannes Luebbers Dectet ("The Exquisite Corpse Of Beethoven"). The more recent of these is James Muller's "NEUROTICA", his first album in almost a decade. Recorded in Melbourne (in conjunction with MJC gigs), the album features his Trio, with guest keyboardist Sean Wayland on some tracks, performing all-originals.
In addition we have "A GLORIOUS UNCERTAINTY", the second last album by the late alto saxophonist David Ades, recorded in New York with Tony Malaby, Mark Helias and Gerard Cleaver. It won two Bell Awards: for Best Jazz Ensemble, and Best Jazz Composition.
There are also limited numbers of albums by US-based expatriate saxophonist Jacam Manricks ("Labyrinth"),. For those who attended Allan Browne's funeral service and were impressed by the beautiful classic New Orleans style ensemble in the church which featured clarinetist Barry Wratten, we have his New Orleans Pelicans album. | M.J.C. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP: SUPPORT THE CO-OP & LIVE MUSIC IN MELBOURNE in 2018 MJC Associate Membership for 2018 is available in three tiers: Gold level is $75; Silver level is $30 ($20 concessions), and Bronze level is $10 for musicians. Associate Membership of the MJC costs just $75 for Gold Membership. When you sign up for Gold Membership you receive a free pass to one MJC Club performance by a Victorian ensemble and concession rates to all gigs all year, equating to large savings for frequent MJC audience members.
Silver membership costs $30 (or $20 for concession holders, $2 for Tertiary students). Silver members also receive one free pass to an MJC Club performance by a Victorian ensemble, as well as standard member benefits.
Musicians are encouraged to join at the special Bronze rate of only $10 per year and support the continued operations of the MJC, an organisation that supports them!
All members receive enewsletters, brochures, a range of discounts to sister businesses and opportunities to win a range of giveaways (CDs, tickets and more) throughout the year.
For more information, email [melbournejazzcooperative@gmail.com] or visit our website for the easy Renewals page, or new Membership page. | Do you have a gig coming up or a new album out? We would love to do a CD or ticket giveaway for you! email mjac@netspace.net.au or melbournejazzcooperative@gmail.com www.mjc.org.au | Founding Artistic Patron: the late Brian Brown, OA Artistic Patrons: Mike Nock, ONZM, Professor Tony Gould, OA MJC Chairperson: Eugene Ball Piano at Uptown Jazz Café is generously supplied by Kawai Pianos, Australia www.kawai.net.au/ | |
