#12. May 2011View this online
"Hop Off" in Brunswick West
Venue: Estonian House, 43 Melville Rd, Brunswick West. Travel:Tram 55 from the CBD or Tram 55 from Royal Park Train Station Bix Lives Review
While Josh is an expert in the drumming styles of the 20’ and in particular the Goldkette drummer Chauncy Morehouse, Andy is an expert on Bix Beiderbecke’s cornet playing and teamed with Michael and Jason’s musical skills the music took off! The highlights for me were “Ostrich Walk”, then “Idolizing”, so well sung by Tamsin West, “Singing the Blues”, the quintessential Bix showpiece but most of all, the “planned” encore piece, “My Pretty Girl” which was stand up ovation material. I have heard other live bands play this tune and heard recorded versions but none could equal the fire engendered by the band on that night. As Josh Duffy said, “We too are young musicians playing what was the pop music of the day.” It was our privilege to get a feel for what it might have been like back then. To the Melbourne jazz enthusiasts (and the concert going population in general), you missed the musical event of the year. Please Jason, will there be a repeat performance? Bob Greaves, 28 Apr 2011 Musician Profile - John ScurryJohn Scurry, Melbourne born guitarist and banjoist started playing jazz around Melbourne with various bands before joining the highly successful Red Onion Jazz Band in the mid 1960s.
The band was a feature of the Australian jazz scene for several years, doing much television work and touring: Europe in 1967- 68 and again in 1970 playing at several international festivals as well as venues throughout England and Europe. John has been playing continually on the Melbourne jazz scene since 1970's playing in bands such as Frank Traynor's Jazz Preachers, Allan Leake's Swingshift, Peter Gaudion's Blues Express and The Allan Lee Quintet, balancing his music with an academic career. Read more... Where can you here John play? John is also playing with the Heather Stewart Quintet at the Paris Cat on Saturday May 7th. Mr Jelly Lord - a concert not to be missed!
On Wednesday 2 November, three internationally-renowned British jazz stars will join forces with Melbourne’s hottest 1920s jazz band, bringing to life the amazing story of ‘Jelly Roll’ Morton. Join Litton, Langham, Sked and the Red Hot Rhythmakers as they follow Morton’s rise from teenage pianist in the whorehouses of New Orleans to the dizzy heights of fame in 1920s Chicago. Experience the story of a musical genius brought to a tragic end by ill fortune and his own pride. The brilliant Martin Litton is perfectly suited to play the part of Jelly Roll the pianist, while Spats Langham will take on Jelly Roll the singer and personality. Michael McQuaid’s Red Hot Rhythmakers are acclaimed for their vibrant yet authentic 1920s jazz sounds, and will represent Morton’s various bands, large and small. A gambler, pimp, vaudeville comedian, pianist, bandleader and composer, Morton claimed he invented jazz in 1902. Come along and judge for yourself. All tickets $30.00 Some more gigs about townForward to a friend...We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter from Jason Downes Entertainment. Our aim is to promote and provide live music and we'd love you to help us do this. Please feel free to forward this to friends you think would appreciate it. I hope to see you out and about... Jason |
