Congratulations to the Jazz Guitar Society of Perth, celebrating fifty years.

Back in 1989 I was WA Jazz Co-ordinator and my proudest and most enduring achievement in hindsight was recommending and co-founding the Jazz Guitar Society of Perth with. Scotsman and jazz guitar aficionado, Ian Macgregor who had made his home in Perth in the early 1980s. In Britain he had worked as road manager for the “Great Guitars” – Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis and Charlie Byrd – and in May 1984 he asked me, freshly arrived from Sydney late in 1983, to be part of a jazz guitar concert for Perth Jazz Society. Working with Ian on various occasions over the next few years I realised his passion for and knowledge of jazz guitar was phenomenal.

So in 1989 I suggested we form Jazz Guitar Society of Perth. Ray Walker – long regarded as WA’s senior jazz guitarist and jazz guitar educator – was keen to be involved and was immediately elected President – a role he has held to this day.

The organisation is not constituted but consists of like-minded professional and amateur jazz guitar enthusiasts. With a bi-monthly online newsletter [newsletter #151 has just been sent]providing information on jazz guitar releases worldwide and articles of interest to jazz guitarists, JGSWA also presents a bi-monthly meeting where members can jam and question Ray, Ian or myself on jazz guitar matters. JGSWA has presented an annual concert fundraiser in conjunction originally with Perth Jazz Society, but in recent times with Jazz Fremantle.

JGSWA also facilitates performances/workshops in Perth by international jazz guitarists. Past patrons are Joe Pass, Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd, Bruce Clarke, Ike Isaacs. Current patrons are Martin Taylor, Peter Leitch, John Pisano, Ulf Wakenius, George Benson, Hank Marvin, Paul Bollenback, Tommy Emmanuel and Peter Bernstein. Honorary members are George Golla, David Smith and Doug deVries.

New members are welcome from around Australia at $15 for annual membership.
Contact Ian Macgregor: jgswa@iinet.net.au

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