Playing – Music Ann

I am currently playing with some great bands.

Ann Craig – Duo/Trio. (aka Jazz Notes Duo/Trio)

Often asked why I don’t have my own band, usually my answer is – “because I’m so busy playing with other people”, but for the Grampians Jazz Festival in 2015 I decided to perform with my favorite guitarist under my name. It was a great success. We had people following our music all weekend – and received such wonderful feedback. Ann Craig (flute), Kevin Blazé (guitar).

At the Castlemaine Jazz Festival in June 2015 my band will also include the very talented Daniel Pickard on bass.

So look out for the Ann Craig Duo/Trio or otherwise listed as Jazz Notes Duo/Trio.

Jazz Notes – Jazz, Latin Standards & funky pop. Jazz Notes, a group of specially selected musicians, are available to decorate your function with their exquisite music.

2015 started with some new and exciting opportunities.

I am very happy to announce that I will be working with Kevin as we further develop Jazz Notes TOGETHER!. We have a musical connection that is very special.

Love the new logo!

We’ve had many playing opportunities to date in 2015; as a duo, and we been very lucky have met Daniel Pickard (bass). He has agreed to work with us as we further develop our new connection, and an exciting new repertoire also.

In 2014 Jazz Notes performed;

Inverloch Jazz Festival
Castlemaine Jazz Festival
Burrinja Café (Upwey)
Special events featuring Pippa Wilson with Jazz Notes
– The Ringwood RSL
– Burrinja Café Events (Upwey)
Dizzy’s Jazz Club (Richmond)
The Chandelier Room (Moorabbin)
Wyreena Conservatory (Croydon)
Treble Clef Jazz Lounge (Chirnside Park)
Vesbar (Somerville)
Kojo Brown (Richmond)
The Famous Blue Raincoat (Kingsville South)
La Niche (Fitzroy)
Charity – Fund Raising Events for
– Leukaemia Foundation’s ‘Light The Night’campaign (@ The Treble Clef Jazz Lounge)
– Isabella and Marcus Paediatric Brainstem Tumour Fund (@ Jazz on Main – Lilydale)

Prior to 2014 Jazz Notes played for

The Worlds’ Longest Lunch – Marysville
The Gala Dinner, Marysville Sparkling Wine Festival, Lake Mountain.
Mayoral Exhibition (Federation Estate – Ringwood)
Manningham Seniors Morning Tea & Charitable Trust Event (Manningham)
Eltham Jazz Festival
The Grampians Jazz
Inverloch Jazz Festival.
The Treble Clef Jazz Lounge – Chirnside Park
Vesbar Wine Bar -Sommerville
Bar Oussou – Brunswick.

Jazz Notes, led by Kevin Blazé, can be booked in various forms from duo to quintet, endless possibilities. (http://jazznotes.net.au/)

The Swingmasters – Dance Band. The Swingmasters play most Saturday nights at major venues throughout Melbourne. If you love your Ballroom Dancing, then you will enjoy an evening with The Swingmasters. The band is led by John Craig – Alto Saxophone, and Wendy Craig – Vocalist. Graeme Howie – Keyboard, Ann Craig – Flute and Drums (*).

The Swingmasters can also be booked for private functions including birthday parties, weddings etc..

The Swingmasters have been performing together for over 30 years, providing the dancers of Melbourne regular entertainment. You will also find The Swingmasters performing at major dance festivals throughout Country Victoria and NSW. To contact – please email via contact page.

(*) We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and drummer Joe Menezes in March 2015. Joe had played with The Swingmasters for over 17 years – He is missed by all of us and the many people he touched with his beautiful voice, friendly smile and brilliant drumming.

As the saying goes.. On with the show and the band continues with different drummers.

Jan Blake’s Body and Soul – Jazz, Blues, Latin – Jan Blake is a singer based in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Her band plays regularly at Jazz on Main in Lilydale and at other venues. You will also find Jan Blake’s Body and Soul performing at Jazz Festivals throughout Victoria and NSW. This band can be booked in the form of duo through to quintet. (Jan Blake’s Body & Soul – facebook link)

Easy Street Trio – Relaxing, Jazz, blues and latin. Led by Tony Robertson – Guitar, Jan Blake – Vocals, Ann Craig – Flute, this small group can be booked for intimate functions. Most recently performing at The Treble Clef Jazz Lounge – Chirnside Park, Jazz on Main – Lilydale, and The Basin Music Festival. (Easy Street Trio – facebook link)

Ladies Be Good!.

A fun group Ladies. I Formed this band in 2015. There aren’t too many ladies only bands, so we decided to get together and launch ourselves at the Grampians Jazz Festival. It was a huge success – both sets played to full a full house. Featuring Jan Blake (vocals), Ann Craig (flute), Ashley Thomas (Alto Saxophone), Suzanne Andrews (piano), Jess Wood (Double Bass), Chelsea Allen (drums). We play a mix of Jazz Standards/Mainstream, Blues and Funky Pop.

Email – via the contacts page, or check Ladies Be Good on facebook.

Bluetone Jazz Band – Traditional Jazz Band. A fun group of musicians who know their stuff. Playing all your Trad Jazz Favorites. This Band consists of piano, drums, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, sax, flute, bass/mandolin – can be booked in different combinations.

Hanshaw Sandwich – Traditional Jazz Band. Seasoned musicians who know their stuff. Playing all your Trad Jazz Favorites. This Band consists of piano, drums, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, sax, flute, bass/mandolin – can be booked in different combinations.

Melbourne Music Performers – House Band. I was very lucky to be invited to join the Melbourne Music Performers House band in 2012. This continued and I am now one of the organizers of a regular monthly Soirée with Kevin Blazé.

The House Band consists of Bass, Drums, Keyboard, Guitar & Flute – it is augmented with Sax and Vocals. We back members of the Meet-up Group “Melbourne Music Performers” on our organized evenings and support open mic acts. It’s a great fun night.

Our current location as of March 2015 is The Ember Lounge – 111 High Street, Northcote, prior to that our home was (for over 12 months) – Francesca’s Bar in Northcote, and originally the Soiree was held at Bar Oussou in Brunswick.

We welcome anyone to the group – performers, listeners, why not Join the group (it’s free) to see what, how and when.

It’s a whole lot of fun.

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

Standing Tall. “Standing Tall” is an exciting band that plays the kind of jazz popular in the 60’s and 70’s when the likes of Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, The Crusaders, Eddie Harris and Joe Zawinul were exploring funk, blues and Latin rhythms.
Led by bassist Stan van Hooft and propelled by percussionists Simon Atkinson and Dean Constable, it features Tim Beresford on guitar, Suzanne Andrews on keyboards, Chuck Probert on trumpet and Laurie Savage on hot R’n’B saxophone. Playing originals and classics, “Standing Tall” delivers driving jazz and funky grooves.

My Time with John Denver – Jimmy Fong.

In 2014 is was invited to join Jimmy Fong and his band for a series of shows to be presented in 2015 – My Time With John Denver 2015. I’ve already recorded with Jimmy for the cd which will be available at the live shows. This is going to be a great show, many exciting opportunities ahead.

Soloist.

As a solo artist I have the freedom to play classical, modern and jazz. I have a wide and varied repertoire, perform regularly at nursing homes and am available for special events, weddings, afternoon-tea parties, anywhere there is a need for a the gentle sounds of a Flute.