Stonnington Jazz 2010

STONNINGTON JAZZ CELEBRATES 5th YEAR AND APPOINTS LOCAL GREAT AS PATRON
Stonnington Jazz celebrates its fifth year in 2010 with an exciting program of concerts featuring the very best in Australian jazz, from established names like James Morrison, Vince Jones and Allan Browne, to rising young stars like Rai Thistlethwaite, Zac Hurren and Sarah McKenzie.

This year’s program will feature more than 30 concerts over 11 days, with performances at the Malvern Town Hall, Chapel Off Chapel, Red Bennies, Ormond Hall, The Greek Deli, Prahran Market and The Mt Erica Hotel.

Creative Director of Stonnington Jazz since it began in 2006, Adrian Jackson, said it is fantastic that the City Of Stonnington has had the vision to support a jazz program like this for five years now.
“Stonnington Jazz is firmly established as an important fixture on the national jazz calendar. We have also enjoyed great support from audiences, and the musicians see it as a great event of which to be a part, so I am sure that this year’s festival will be another great success.
“Vince Jones has produced a really interesting concept for this year’s program, with the Australian Jazz Songbook. Vince will take a number of compositions by distinguished Australian jazz artists like Mike Nock, Paul Grabowsky and Bernie McGann, and add lyrics. Vince will perform these songs with his band, and guests including Julien Wilson. The results should be something special.
“James Morrison is always a great crowd-pleaser and I’m sure his many fans will enjoy seeing him perform with an all-star band, featuring the great saxophonist Graeme Lyall, and a very talented young singer and pianist, Sarah McKenzie, who was discovered by James through his Generations In Jazz scholarship program.
”But that’s just two concerts on the program. Every night from May 20-30 (and some afternoons), there will be great jazz on offer, confirming Melbourne’s reputation as the creative centre of Australian jazz, and Stonnington Jazz as a vital part of the Melbourne jazz scene,” Adrian said.
Award-winning Australian jazz musician and writer, and long-time Stonnington resident, Allan Browne, said it was a great honour to be offered the role of Patron at his favourite festival. “Director Adrian Jackson has produced a key event in our jazz calendar, imbued with the underlying philosophy of presenting Australian groups and integrating young musicians with established players and composers. I thank the Mayor and Council for their ongoing support. I am honoured to accept the duties that befall me as Stonnington Jazz Patron and Co-director, with Bob Sedergreen, of the Stonnington Youth Jazz Initiative,” Allan said.

Mayor Cr Tim Smith said he was delighted to welcome Allan Browne as Stonnington Jazz Patron.

“This year, Allan is celebrating 50 years as a jazz musician. He is highly respected across all jazz genres, a valued jazz mentor and Stonnington resident, and we’re honoured to have him support Stonnington Jazz,” Cr Smith said.

2010 program highlights include:
    Vince Jones and friends performing The Australian Jazz Songbook, with Vince adding lyrics to compositions by Paul Grabowsky, Sam Keevers, Matt McMahon, Mike Nock, Bernie McGann, Doug DeVries, Lloyd Swanton and many more.
    Piano maestro Joe Chindamo performing his brilliant arrangements of songs from the films of the Coen brothers, with a band featuring the pedal steel guitar of Lucky Oceans. Also on the program is award-winning Sydney jazz and soul diva, Tina Harrod
    Popular jazz singer Nichaud Fitzgibbon paying tribute to her renowned father, the late ‘Smacka’ Fitzgibbon, with an all-star band featuring Sydney trumpeter, Bob Henderson.
    Pianist Tony Gould exploring his twin loves of jazz and classical music in a concert with the Stonnington Symphony Orchestra, along with special guest, Graeme Lyall.
    Pianist Bob Sedergreen will co-ordinate a youth jazz workshop, followed by a concert featuring young musicians (including the Stonnington Youth Jazz Initiative) along with guests including Mal Sedergreen, Paul Williamson, Jackson Jackson’s Chantal Mitvalsky and a cameo performance by Ross Irwin trumpet/flugelhorn.
    Drummer and bandleader Allan Browne celebrating 50 years in jazz, with a concert featuring his traditional Trio and his contemporary Quintet.
    Pianist-vocalist Rai Thistlethwaite and bassist Phil Stack will take a break from touring with Thirsty Merc to explore their love of jazz.
    Acclaimed Sydney ensemble Ten Part Invention, led by Bell Awards Hall of Fame member John Pochee, and featuring such outstanding soloists as Sandy Evans, Bob Bertles and James Greening, will make their first appearance in Melbourne since 1998
    Australian jazz icon, Sydney saxophonist Bernie McGann, will perform with special guests, Mark Fitzgibbon (piano) and Julien Wilson (saxophone).
    Melbourne jazz legend, drummer Ted Vining, will lead his Impressions trio, with the great Bob Sedergreen and young bassist Mick Meagher. Also on the program is exciting young Brisbane saxophonist Zac Hurren (winner of the 2009 National Jazz Awards) with his Trio.
    A ‘world jazz’ concert will feature the unique sounds of Way Out West, combining jazz with Vietnamese and west African instruments and sounds, along with District Six, led by drummer Brian Abrahams, who began his career in Cape Town, and recently moved to Melbourne.
    Internationally-renowned drum virtuoso David Jones will perform a series of improvisations and meditations with James Morrison, Evripides Evripidou and Carmen Warrington.
    Popular saxophonist-vocalist Paul Williamson will lead his Hammond Combo in a set with special guests, Gil Askey, James Black and Ben Gillespie. Pianist-vocalist Sarah McKenzie will open the night with her Sextet.
    Emma Franz’s acclaimed documentary Intangible Asset No. 82, a hit at last year’s Melbourne Film Festival, will receive an encore screening at Red Bennies. The film follows drummer Simon Barker’s journey into the heart of Korean music. Simon will be there to perform.
    There will also be range of other performances at other venues in Stonnington, including Red Bennies, Ormond Hall, The Greek Deli, The Cullen Hotel and Prahran Market.

Tickets range in price from $10 to $44 (+ transaction fees) and can be purchased by contacting Chapel Off Chapel Box Office telephone 8290 7000 or visit www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
For further information about Stonnington Jazz 2010, or to view the program online, visit www.stonningtonjazz.com.au