The Melbourne Jazz Co-operative celebrates its 25th birthday this week – 12 months later than planned.
A 25th anniversary concert was scheduled for January 2007 but the MJC did not receive enough additional funding for it. A similar situation arose again this year. While the organisation received both state and federal increases for 2008 the total was less than requested and some of the money was tied to certain areas.
So one year later the MJC is putting on a benefit concert at Bennetts Lane – its base since January 1993 – to mark the occasion.
The benefit will run from 3pm to 7pm in both rooms of the venue, with the premiere of the new Mike Nock Trio (Sydney) the nominal headline act. A selected range of Melbourne’s outstanding contemporary jazz artists were invited to perform on a no-fee basis – with all door proceeds to the MJC – and an impressive and exciting roster of artists volunteered their services.
In addition to the new Mike Nock Trio, artists and ensembles include Wilson/Hopkins/Collings (saxophonist Julien Wilson, pianist Colin Hopkins and drummer Phil Collings) and a reworking of Eugene Ball’s The Fool Poet’s Portion Suite for the Bennetts Lane Big Band (in only its third public performance of this commissioned work). Saxophonist Jamie Oehlers (who is relocating to Perth in February) and pianist Marc Hannaford will also revisit their highly successful Monk Project, while Sydney trombonist James Greening makes a rare Melbourne appearance as a leader with originals from his own group, The World According to James.
Our regular evening presentation will see the CD launch of the Mike Nock Project (an octet of Melbourne and Sydney musicians) at the same venue at 9pm. A combined day/evening ticket is available.
Old Room
3.00-3.35 Ren Walters’ TiP
3.40-4.05 Luke Howard & Christopher Hale
4.10-4.50 James Greening Trio (Sydney) & Scott Tinkler
5.00-5.35 Wilson/Hopkins/Collings
5.45-6.00 Stephen Magnusson (solo) & duo with Ren Walters
Jazz Lab
3.00-3.25 Keller/Murphy/Browne
3.30-3.55 Burke/Gould Quartet
4.05-4.55 Bennetts Lane BigBand The Fool Poet’s Portion
4.55-5.05 Mark Fitzgibbon (solo)
5.10-6.05 Mike Nock Trio (Sydney)
6.10-7.00 Oehlers-Hannaford “Monk Project”
MJC history
The MJC has been a constant and integral part of the Melbourne jazz scene since January 1983, and has made a highly significant contribution to the impressive development of this scene over that period.
Unlike some musician-run co-operatives based mainly on one stylistic genre, the MJC has always presented a diverse range of contemporary jazz styles from Melbourne and interstate artists seeking to be innovative and original. It has regenerated and remained relevant by introducing and nurturing a continuous line of emerging artists, as well as maintaining its support of established artists. It also enables the presentation of large ensembles and special projects, including interstate and international collaborations, through its financial support.
I was the organisation’s founding member and have been part-time paid co-ordinator for the past 15 years (having worked in this role on a voluntary basis for a decade). Allan Browne is the chairperson.
For 2008 the MJC received $50,000 form the Music Board of the Australia Council, and $35,000 from Arts Victoria.
MJC highlights
• Expansion to third weekly series at the new Paris Cat Jazz Club venue in February 2007, clearly making the MJC the busiest jazz presenter organization in Australia in terms of number of performances per annum.
• Weekly Sunday night “A-Live Jazz” series at Bennetts Lane Jazz Club venue since January 1993, and Tuesday night “Transitions” series since January 1998 (which enable the venue to open seven nights per week). The MJC program has contributed significantly to the artistic integrity of this well-respected venue, initially providing special performances or weekend seasons by artists such as The Necks , Mike Nock Quintet, and the Bernie McGann Quartet, as well as facilitating internationals such as Sheila Jordan, Billy Harper, John Stubblefield and Cindy Blackman.
• Conceived and inaugurated the Melbourne Women’s Jazz Festival in 1997 (featuring Sydney guest pianist/composer Judy Bailey with a string quartet). Managed and curated the Festival until 2004, securing state, federal and City of Melbourne funding, and expanding it to an eight-night international event. Conceived and introduced the all-female Festival Sextet and the Jazz Workshop for female students.
• Co-presented the premiere of the Paul Grabowsky Orchestra (forerunner the Australian Art Orchestra) in Ringing The Bell Backwards at the Malthouse Theatre over three nights as part of the 1993 M.I.F.A. program
• Presented the first concert jazz event to be included in the Melbourne International Festival of the Arts (M.I.F.A.) with the 1990 concert of expatriate U.S. pianist/composer Mickey Tucker and Sydney pianist/composer Mike Nock performing solo, together with their compositions for string quartet (and respectively flute and piano).
• 1991-1992 Weekly “A-Live Jazz” series at the Limerick Arms Hotel. Influenced the venues change to a modern policy with the presentation of The Benders in 1983. Other concerts there in the 1980s included interstate acts such as Ten Part Invention and the Bernie McGann Trio, as well as expatriate guitarist Peter O’Mara.
• 1985 to 1991, a two-day 12 hour “A-Live Jazz” Festival was staged over the Australia Day long weekend, with visiting interstate acts (such as Schmoe & Co, Chris Abrahams, Serge Ermoll, and Bob Bertles) as headliners.
• January 1983-1985 saw a ground-breaking monthly concert series (on Sunday afternoons) at the newly completed at the R.M.I.T. Glasshouse Theatre. The inaugural concert featured the premiere of the dual ARIA-winning Browne-Costello-Grabowsky Trio, with interstate artists including The Benders, Bernie McGann, Michael Sheridan’s Great White Noise (with Sandy Evans and Tony Buck), Mark Simmonds’ Freeboppers, Mike Nock, Musiikki Oy, the late John Sangster and Bruce Cale, plus Jon Rose, Louie Burdett and U.S. pianist George Cables.
Discography of albums from MJC concerts
Dale Barlow: Dale Barlow Live (JazzHead JH 028) April 1, 2001
Blow: Live at Bennetts Lane (NewMarket NEW 3100.2) November 27, 2001
Jamie Fielding (with Odwala): Jamie Fielding: “Notes From the Underground” (AIJA 006-008) January 30 & March 24, 1983, and January 28, 1985
Chris Hale Ensemble: February Concert (UAR 024) February 26, 2002
Bernie McGann: Bernie McGann with the Ted Vining Trio** (Anteater cassette 018) April 24, 1983
Mark Simmonds’ Space Society Orchestra: Duality of Opposites track on Jamie Fielding: Notes From the Underground (AIJA 006-008) December 18, 1983
Ted Vining Trio For Elvin: Live (Move MD 3287) March 28, 2004
Find out more
Melbourne Jazz Co-op
