The Jazz Jammers Newsletter 30th October 2024
Small, Good
Quite Where to Start
A replay of last week opening stanza - with Roger Evans (guitar), the Good Captain (saxophone) Neville B on Bass, Martin "Haircut" Clifton wilder than ever on drums, and meself tickling the odd ivory: thirty minutes or so of fun for starters.
Of the miscreants, ne'er do wells and scoundrels to follow - the pick of the bunch was the Debster (Mark 1), who regularly sings songs that are horribly complicated, and /or outside her comfortable vocal range, and certainly beyond the abilities of the jam session band - but this arvo managed to forget to do any of those things - which resulted in Have You Seen Miss Jones being the pick of the day.
Followed by Deb Mark 2. As this was her first time singing at the jam, and as the vocal mic was playing up somewhat, she made full use of the support coming from the customary audience . Luckily, she got the chance to sing a second set, and was totally convincing on They Can't Take That Away From Me amongst others. Nice work, hope she comes again.
Later in the day, Felix (vocals and guitar) put up a terrific set , Van the Man's Moondance swinging particularly well. Nice work, etc.etc. hope he comes again too!
Christine sang a lively set, as is her wont, can't remember whether this was with Ivan Sultanoff or Adam Fforde on bass - really doesn't matter as they were both good, and La C as entertaining as ever.
And in the end, the Good Captain called stumps before we had all really lowered our standards - a smaller sort of jam. Twenty jammers played, + the Hirsch who turned up but didn't.. at least he is in one piece. And apologies to Gentleman John Curtis, Tony Luxmoore, Philip, Jeff, Bruce, Ashley, and Jane all of whom neglected to be so awful or otherwise egregious as to deserve a mention, and remain, therefore, unmentionable, in the hope that they will turn up next week and tear the place apart...
Stick, chaps, to the black notes - they are cheaper..
The Next Jam Session Sunday 3rd November
The Cornerstone was quieter than previous weeks, but with a smattering of drinkers enjoying the racket. The jazz (see, we can do irony) continues to be part class, part rubbish, all satisfying, and the gossip remains of the highest standard.
Sunday 3rd November. 4.00pm at The Cornerstone Hotel, cnr Bay and Raglan Streets , Port Melbourne.
The Challis Street Fandango
Gypsy Djangos will be playing this week. The Fandango resumes on Saturday November 9th. Last week's Djangos featured three clarinets and no Michael Stewart. Strewth.
Sunday Jazz at the Boatshed 3rd November
This Sunday, the best line-up we can put together: Lee Jones (guitar), Andy Moon (double bass) will be accompanying vocalist Aneta Graham. Usual rubbish on piano
Sunday 3rd November 10.30am - 1.30pm at The Boatshed Cafe on the shores of Albert Park Lake. Coffee, boats, gossip, children, dogs, haloumi burgers to die for, or a beer if it is hot, Summer, children, is with us....
Live Music at The Umbrella Bar 338 Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick
Saturdays: Jane Little and Roy Voogd are playing the one more Saturday night at what must be Elsternwick's most idiosyncratic Bar. Previous weeks have been prett much packed out.
Sundays: Miss Debbie and the Hank Hornbender Band. Miss Debbie, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Deborah Salkov, sings every Sunday, with the eponymous HHB. The band features, from time to time, Ken Cowan, Mike Zutenis, sometimes Hermann Schweiger, Dave Hardy, and Ken White.
Every Sunday, 1.00pm - 3.00pm, free entry
Miss Debbie at the Umbrella
Castlemaine Jazz Jam
Not getting enough playing time at the Melbourne Jazz Jammers Sessions? You could try the Castlemaine Jam, and not get plenty of playing time there instead...
At the Maurocco Bar - conveniently located opposite the Castlemaine railway station and only 125km from Melbourne...
First Sunday of every month, 2 - 5pm...Next on Nov 3rd.
Other Festival News - and news of other Festivals
Wangaratta Jazz Festival, 1-3 November 2024
One week to go!
Thanks to everyone who has supported us so far.
The great news is that shows are selling out fast.
To be sure you don’t miss out visit our website to book your tickets today.
The Australian Jazz Convention, 26-31 Dec 2024
Update from the organisers (received 16 August):
This link gives you all the info you might need to attend the Convention/. Not sure how many jammers are going, but this has, in the past, been an important date on the calendar.
They have invited renowned trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso to the convention. Yes, I didn't know him from a bar of soap either, so I looked him up - first thing I found was a clip of him playing with Emmett Cohen (one of my favourite pianists). Jon-Erik: Instant elevation to minor royalty.
The Australian Jazz Convention is an annual gathering for musicians and jazz lovers to celebrate their music. While the focus is on traditional or “Dixieland” jazz, the convention is also open to groups playing swing, mainstream, bebop, modern, funk, and other jazz genres.Since 1946 the convention has been hosted by different cities and towns across Australia; in 2024 the 78th AJC will be held in Mildura, Victoria, from December 26th to 31st.
About Melbourne Jazz Jammers
The jam sessions are a side gig run by the Melbourne Jazz Jammers Inc., who are now sorting through an alarming array of wacky and not so wacky ideas for the 2025 Festival.
Meanwhile, back on planet Earth, if you would like to 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, or promote your gig through the Newsletter, contact Col (he needs a new hat), or Ted at the jam sessions.
