Month: November 2014

I was asked to play with these guys again in November.

A super fun event for the Donvale Probus Club 15th birthday celebrations, and later that week at the Manningham Centre – Cassia House.

We received some of the nicest feedback….

From ALL of our Probus members who attended our 15th Birthday on the 15th November, sincere thanks for a wonderful celebration. This Spit Roast Dinner is becoming a regular night out for our Club each year. And your Band gave us the best night we have had yet.
If I were to list the highlights of the evening, the Band would lead with a host of compliments. What a wonderful sound you achieve! It’s not only the professionalism of your musicians. It’s the energy, the relaxed fun, your fantastic timing and cohesion, and the joy you give out to everyone present. It seemed that we all “lost” a few solemn decades and really let our hair down.
After two brave souls led us on to the dance floor, the dancing took off and everyone had a BALL! Once again, it was the Band’s exuberance which led to so many dancers dropping their (careful, now!) inhibitions and jazzing with the best of them. Each player was totally absorbed in the music, sustaining a terrific beat. And the flute ‘solo’ was an unexpected and amazing performance. Next
time I want to SEE the drummer, as well as hear his rhythm. And as for the curious ORANGE trombone, I have to ask: HOW? WHY?
We hope that your musicians and their partners enjoyed the dinner as much as we did. The caterers are very well organised, and there was plenty of good food to sustain our energies. I’m confident our members will want a repeat performance, and we can improve at least two things: more room for the players to perform, and the Band’s lady guests being seated with Club members while the Band is playing.
On behalf of the Committee and Members of the Probus Club of Donvale-Tunstall, please accept our grateful thanks for your wonderful playing, friendliness and good humour. You did us proud!Yours sincerely, Margery Joan, Secretary

 

Wasn’t much more to say – it was fantastic….

 

I’ll get the chance to play with the Bluetone Jazz Band again in 2015 at Halls Gap.  That will be a great weekend – hope to see you there.

Our last Soiree Musique for 2014 was Friday 28th November.

It’s been a really enjoyable year, sharing music, organizing these events with Kevin.  I was surprised that I could actually help run something like this – thanks Kevin for encouraging me!

It’s also been so wonderful knowing that we are giving people a chance to perform, become confident in their own performance ability or just seeing everyone have a really great time.

I’ve met some great musicians and made loads of new friends.

The nights are really long, but usually the next morning my feet have recovered and I start to look forward to the next one.

We have a break in December but come back ready to have a whole lot more fun on 23rd January @ Francescas – Northcote.

For all the event details – check the Facebook Page (Melbourne Music Performers – Meetup), or better still – sign up to the group:-

http://www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Music-Performers

 

 

A really lovely night.� Excellent audience.� Thank you to all our loyal supporters.

It was a special night, two bands:-

• Sevil Sabah with
  Exercises that will sharpen your arms and back

  Jazz Notes

• Roger Clark Quartet with Annie Smith

Both bands were fantastic – thanks to Roger for inviting us and also for him and Rory for joining Jazz Notes as we backed Sevil Sabah in �Autumn Leaves�.

We hope to do it again in 2015 – In fact it’ll probably be round the end of February, so keep an eye on the “what’s on page”

Thanks Marion for the photos!

One of my former students is a member of the BEA Cantare Choir.  Over the last 4 years I have been invited to perform as part of their concert, sometimes accompanying the choir, other times as a solo artist with the wonderful Kate Denmead on piano, accompanying me.  It’s a chance for me to prepare some beautiful classical pieces.

This year Ashely and Kevin joined me.  I had been asked to fill two spots so, firstly I played a selection of tunes with Kevin, mainly modern and jazz, then later,  a lovely Handel Flute Sonata (accompanied by Kate) and then a interesting version of Take Five with Ashley and Kate .  It was a lovely afternoon, great music.  The Knox Community Arts Centre is a great performance venue.

It was a pleasure to be invited to perform.

 

 

It had been a while since we’d played at The Vesbar and I was very exited when Bev contacted me and asked if we could play on Friday 21st November.

So it was a quick trip down Eastlink on a beautiful,warm Friday evening, lovely friendly atmosphere – we had a great time. Good music too!

Thanks to Bev for inviting us to play, hope to be back again soon.

 

 

 

Thanks to Marion for talking such great photos.  Lots more on Jazz Notes website.

Buddy asked Kevin and I if we would like to join him and a few others for an evening at the Famous Blue Raincoat Cafe – The answer was YES!

It was a great chance to play with Buddy again as I had recently worked on a song or two on Buddy’s most recent recording project.

It was our first time at The Famous Blue Raincoat, a really nice venue where we were well looked after by James, Vanessa and Holly.

Unfortunately, the venue is changing hands and live music might not be in the future plans.

Buddy Love (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Jess Wood (bass)
Spike Kiernan (drums)

Tuesday October 28th.

Another fun spot at Dizzy’s with Standing Tall – A perfect opportunity to present our program for the Wangaratta Jazz Festival.

It was a great night of music – thanks to everyone who came to listen and enjoy.

 

Sunday 2nd November @ Wangaratta Jazz Festival

Standing Tall played on the Reid Street Stage – the audience was huge.  It was good to see some familiar faces and friends from the Jazz Jam come to hear us.  The session was recorded Live – and from all accounts, the recording is pretty good.  Apparently there will be a CD made from this recording and we’ll be offering  it to everyone at our Open Studio gig in December.