Welcome to another newsletter from Jason Downes Entertainment. The boys from the UK are here, summer is on the way (and so are the markets) and there are gigs-a-plenty.
Just in case you're in a real rush, here's the index!
- Litton, Langham & Furniss @ The Convent
- Supper Markets
- Liam O'Connel - CD Launch delay
- Musician Profile - Paul Furniss
- Review: A Night At The Cotton Club
- Red Hot Rhythmakers seek a venue - Can you help?
- Forward to a friend
Litton, Langham and Furniss at The Abbotsford Convent
HOORAY - Martin Litton and Spats Langham are here! For those who enjoyed them at Wangaratta, here's your only chance to see them in Melbourne. TICKETS HERE
This Friday we're delighted to present a dynamic jazz concert featuring some of the world's best traditional jazz musicians. Fresh from their storming appearance at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Martin Litton and Thomas 'Spats' Langham will lead this combined UK/Australian group. Click here for a video of Spats and Martin performing Harry Reser's "Lollipops" at Wangaratta.
Also featured at this concert will be the Sydney 'monster of jazz', Paul Furniss. He's such a wonderful player, I've written a full feature on Paul below!
Joining this all-star group will be Melbourne's very own Mark Elton on double bass and Ian Smith on drums. You'll kick yourself if you miss this concert: $30 online or $35 on the door (A seating limit applies so tickets may not be available on the door).
Supper Markets
Supper Gigs Cancelled
Liam O'Connell CD Launch delay
| Due to illness Liam has had to postpone his CD Launch. Originally it was set for this Thursday, Nov 5th at The Lomond Hotel, East Brunswick. Please note: we will advertise Liam's new date once it has been set - stay tuned.
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Musician Profile - Paul Furniss
Paul Furniss is without doubt one of Australia's most widely respected jazz musicians. While he is a noted clarinetist and saxophonist, Paul plays various instruments including clarinet, flute, soprano, alto and tenor saxophones. Paul began his music studies early with Victor McMahon, a wonderful flautist/musician who taught many of Australia's finest, including the great jazz musician and ambassador Don Burrows. Don was an early inspiration and taught Paul after he caught the "jazz bug" around 15 years' of age. Well-regarded by musicians and music fans alike, Paul has the rare combination of taste and flare. He can play explosively on all reed instruments or produce beautiful lyrical melodies.
In 1975, Furniss became an inaugural member of Tom Baker's San Francisco Jazz Band eventually taking over the leadership of the Jazz Band in 1979. In 1982, Furniss was chosen to join Bill Dillard's band for the show "One Mo' Time", which ran for several months in both Melbourne and Sydney. He toured with Dillard and the Blue Serenaders in Australia the following year for the Victorian Arts Council.
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Paul has also played for the Sidney Bechet Society in New York and in 2004, Furniss played in leading Australian jazz musician Graeme Bell's reunion band. In addition to this Paul has also played with other notable jazz artists such as Dave Dallwitz, Tom Baker and Geoff Bull, the Adrian Ford Big Band, the band of the late Nancy Stuart, a 9 year stint with Graeme Bell's All Stars, and Paul's own Eclipse Alley Five and the San Francisco Jazz Band.
Review: A Night At The Cotton Club
On the evening of Friday 9th November, the Northcote Town Hall opened its doors to a one-off show called A Night at The Cotton Club. By 8pm more than 300 people had gathered and the atmosphere was electric. Opening the evening with Duke Ellington's Black and Tan Fantasy, Michael McQuaid's Red Hot Rhythmakers were in absolutely top form. In addition to the usual 9-piece group, Stephen Grant played on the concert grand piano with such taste and ease most assumed he was a part of the regular band. From the first note to their last, the music was played impeccably with soaring solos, beautiful vocals from Tamsin West and exquisite arrangements evoking the sound of the early jazz orchestras.
Collaborating with the orchestra was Swing Patrol's Echoes of Harlem, an elite swing dancing troupe. Echoes of Harlem performed 6 pieces with the band including It Don't Mean A Thing, Black Beauty, The Mooche, Creole Love Call, East St Louis Toodle-oo and Jubliee Stomp....and they were electrifying. Their choreographed dances were hot, sweet, sexy and slow and the crowd couldn't get enough. It's not often you get to hear the crowd screaming at a jazz concert!
Overall the night was such a success we are very keen to do something similar in the not too distant future. If you missed this concert, be sure to not to miss the next one! We've posted more photos and videos of all 6 danceshere.
Red Hot Rhythmakers seek a venue
Michael McQuaid's Red Hot Rhythmakers are on the hunt for a venue to start a regular gig. It's going to be great but we can't find a venue! Can you help?
We are seeking:
- A small to medium-sized hall
- In or around the Brunswick/Fitzroy area
- Ideally we'd like it have a stage and a dance floor
We would like to hire it on a long-term ongoing basis. If you know of a suitable venue, please contact Jason Downes - 0423 593 692.
Forward 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 you to see you out and about...
Jason
