I’ve decided I should try as much as possible to talk about gigs that are coming up more so than what’s already gone down. However, I’m quite sure that there will still be some gigs that I’ll be squealing with delight to share with you all.
Starting out our little fortnightly listening period we have Ladies of Jazz at the Basement on Thursday September 25. The night features Christine Anu, backed by John Morrison’s Swing City with Jacki Cooper and Eva Spata and will be a night paying homage to those revolutionary ladies in true big band classic style.
Friday September 26 sees another Morrison, this time John’s brother James hitting the Basement with the lovely Emma Pask for their monthly undertaking reminding us why they’re at the top of the Aussie jazz scene. As well as The Basement, SIMA are heating things up this fine Friday with the Jackson Harrison and Matt Keegan Trios down at the Sound Lounge.
Continuing with SIMA’s trend of fine music delights on Saturday September 27 we have Eddie Bronson and friends taking to the stage while again over at the Basement another tribute show, this time for one of the greatest popular music composers, Quincy Jones featuring Back on the Block and Steve Clisby with Bill Risby.
Jumping across to the Excelsior Hotel on Tuesday September 30 for some earthy tribal jazz in the James Annesley Quartet up from Melbourne, followed by Soundgun adding their own experimental flavour to the mix.
On to the weekend, and what a fine weekend it will be, not only for the obvious reason that a whole day longer! The October long weekend has always meant that the Manly Jazz Festival is upon us and what better way to spend a long weekend then by a relaxing ferry ride across to Manly for some of the best jazz in the country. This year sees a stellar line up including Exposed Bone, Gerard Masters Trio, Adrian Cunningham Quartet, Jeff Duff & the Prophets as well as a whole stage dedicated to big bands from primary school right through to university.
Not to be forgotten, SIMA have their own delightful serving over the Labour Day weekend in Guy Strazz and Matt McMahon on Friday the 3rd and the Dale Barlow project on the Saturday the 4th.
On the Sunday night the 5th of October Sydney’s Soul Sister Georgina Reed is holding her 7th Funkfest at The Basement with the Darryl Beaton Band and David Weir’s Slewfoot. It’s a special night as it’s her farewell DJ performance after 26 years, as well as a milestone birthday!
So I leave you once again, wishing Georgina a happy birthday and still drooling over the intense jazz I witnessed last week at the Jazz:Now festival. Stay tuned for all sorts of fun gigs over the next coming weeks as we start to heat things up for summer. Take it easy.
