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Here's some links to MORE jazz around the Illawarra, Sydney, and beyond:

Illawarra Jazz Club

Master Builders Sunday Jazz 

Kiama Jazz Club

Sydney Improvised Music Assoc (Sydney)

JazzGroove (Sydney)

Club 505 (Sydney)

Foundry 616 (Sydney)

Also find us on Facebook:

Welcome to Wollongong Jazz, an e-bulletin to keep you informed about jazz in Wollongong. It includes this website, a Facebook page, and an email list. The email list is used by Wollongong Conservatorium of Music to help promote the Con Jazz Series. Wollongong Conservatorium is not accountable for the content of this site or the Facebook pages.
Upcoming Jazz
Winter Jazz Series 2018
June 24th - Jason Bruer and Hammerhead
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
Jason Bruer - saxophones; Andrew Robertson - alto saxophone/flute; Simon Ferenci - trumpet; Greg Coffin - piano; Max Alduca - bass; Alex Hirlian - drums 

Inspired by the sound and spirit of the late 50s & early 60s 'Hard Bop' movement, Internationally acclaimed saxophonist / composer Jason Bruer and his dynamic sextet 'Hammerhead' return to the Wollongong Conservatoire of Music. Featuring a new line up of Sydney's finest musicians they offer an original & contemporary re-telling of the great music from that era with a 'take no prisoners' approach. An exciting & diverse repertoire made up of Bruer's compositions, showcase an eclectic array of influences ranging from hard bop, urban jazz, funk, chamber jazz and Latin styles.



7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S at the door

Click HERE for tickets
July 21st - Jayden Clark Quartet
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
Jayden Clark - saxophone; Aaron Blakey - piano; Thomas Botting - bass; Tim Geldans - drums

Wollongong's own Jayden Clark will return home from his studies at the prestigious San Francisco Conservatory for a special concert presenting his original compositions. The former Wollongong Conservatorium of Music student has forged a growing reputation as musician to watch on the international jazz scene and for this home-coming concert has enlisted the help of some fellow young jazz firebrands in Aaron Blakey (Dale Barlow), Thomas Botting (Mike Nock, Barney McAll) and Tim Geldans (Errol Buddle). 

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S at the door

Click HERE for tickets

July 28th - Bungalow (JPN)
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
Mike Rivett - Saxophone, Koichi Sato - piano; Hiroshi Ikejiri - bass; Ko Omura - drums

"This is what modern jazz should be all about..." - Dave Liebman


"It’s inspiring to hear such creative and intelligent music being made by the younger generation – it gives me hope for the future!” - Mike Nock

 

Bungalow’s sound is sometimes introspective, sometimes bold and energized but always is highly emotionally engaging. The melodies are often simple, like folk music from the future. With their feet planted in the cool school of jazz, the Japanese based group maintains an emotional vulnerability; their beating hearts delivered up on spikes for the audience to devour. These four musicians strive to balance this openness and simple clarity, with their virtuosity and group interplay, to create musical landscapes that may indeed express the intangible. Featuring the 2017 National Jazz Award winning saxophonist, Mike Rivett, this unique ensemble is not to be missed.


7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium


$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S at the door


Click HERE for tickets


August 5th - Evan Harris Quintet
2pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
Evan Harris - tenor sax; Will Vinson - alto sax; Harry Sutherland - piano; Thomas Botting - bass; Tim Firth - drums
 
"Evan is one of the most talented musicians I've heard in a long time" - Miguel Zenon

"An extraordinarily gifted and accomplished saxophonist" - James Muller 

It seems the whole jazz world is talking about Evan Harris. The precociously talented saxophonist has taken the fiercely competitive New York Jazz scene by storm since moving over to study at the famed Julliard School 2 years ago and in his fledgeling career has already played alongside icons such as Wynton Marsalis and Miguel Zenon. This concert is part of a national tour to promote his Bell Award nominated debut album Skylines which has garnered rave reviews from critics and fellow musicians alike and will feature star British alto saxophonist (and fellow NYC resident) Will Vinson. Not to be missed!


2pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S at the door

Click HERE for Tickets

August 17th - Graeme Norris
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
Graeme Norris - saxophone; Carl Dewhurst - guitar; Ashley Turner - bass; Andrew Dickeson - drums

Saxophonist and educator Graeme Norris storied career has seen him perform alongside music icons as varied as Fankie Valli and Kenny Rodgers to James Morrison and Human Nature. A runner-up in the National Jazz Awards in 1994 Norris' skill and musicianship has taken him to New York where he is currently on faculty at the Manhattan School of Music. This concert will see Norris perform alongside Australian jazz legends Andrew Dickeson and Carl Dewhurst.

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S at the door

Click HERE for Tickets
Past Gigs 2018
June 8th - Trish Delaney-Brown
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
Trish Delaney-Brown - vocals; Jeremy Sawkins - guitar; Greg Coffin - piano; Karl Dunnicliff - bass, Nic Cecire - drums

A Multi award-wining vocalist and composer Trish Delaney-Brown has forged an international reputation as a "musicians singer." Formally trained in both classical and jazz styles, Delaney-Brown first rose to prominence as a founding member and soprano of the renowned a capella group Idea of North, performing with the group around the world for 15 years. For this concert Delany-Brown will perform selections of her own songs and choice standards with a band of Australian jazz luminaries. 

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S at the door

Click HERE for tickets

April 15th - WCJO w/Nick Garbett Play The Music of Jeremy Rose
2pm - The Spiegeltent Wollongong

The Wollongong Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra will present a special concert at the Spiegeltent on Saturday April 15th from 2-3pm featuring Nick Garbett on Trumpet and new works by Australian composer Jeremy Rose.  For Tickets and more information, follow the link below:


Sunday April 8th - Term 1 Jazz Showcase
2pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music

An afternoon of jazz featuring the award-winning student combos and ensembles in three venues on site at the Wollongong Conservatorium of music. The termly Jazz Showcase serves to highlight the hard-working students of the Conservatorium in groups both large and small lead by the highly acclaimed staff of the jazz faculty. 

2pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music

This is FREE event.

March 16th - The Vampires
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

Nick Garbett - trumpet; Jeremy Rose - sax; Alex Boneham - bass; Alex Masso - drums


“A distinctive gumbo that was more eminently accessible, grooved harder and created a bigger sound than seemed possible.” - All About Jazz


"If jazz music is about continuously reinventing and staying on your toes, then The Vampires Meet Lionel Loueke' is a phenomenal jazz record. ****" - Downbeat


Sydney based world-roots-jazz quartet The Vampires are touring Australia in March. They will be joined by bassist Alex Boneham for his first Australian performances since 2014 when he moved to Los Angeles to study at the Monk Institute with the likes of Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. Combining risk-taking improvisation, sophisticated compositions and an uncanny sense of dialogue between the sax-trumpet frontline, the band has developed a style of its own that effortlessly combines influences from all corners of the world. Recently, the band collaborated with one of the jazz world’s most talked about guitarists Lionel Loueke for their latest release 'The Vampires Meet Lionel Loueke’, which was nominated for an ARIA Award. The group also became the first instrumental band to be nominated for the prestigious Australian Music Prize in 13 years earlier this year.  


7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music


$17G/$12C/$10 online or $20G/$15C/$10 on the door


Click HERE to purchase tickets.

March 1st - Steve Barry Trio (NZ)
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Auditorium
Jeremy Rose - sax; Steve Barry - keys; Dave Goodman - drums

New Zealand born piano maestro, Steve Barry returns to the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music with the release of third album, Blueprints & Vignettes. For this performance, Barry will play selections from the new album, a product of his PhD studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Concert goers can expect the music to reflect Barry's parallel interests in jazz, free improvisation and 20th century classical music. The Bell award winning and National Jazz Award finalist will be joined by long time collaborators and Australian jazz stars in their own right Jeremy Rose (The Vampires) and Dave Goodman (Vince Jones, Mike Nock) for an intriguing night of new music.

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Auditorium

$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15G/$10S on the door

Click HERE to purchase tickets
February 16th - Libor Smoldas Trio (CZE)
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
Libor Smoldas - guitar; Darren Heinrich - organ; Nic Cecire - drums

Prague based guitarist and educator Libor Smoldas has forged an impressive international resume which belies his relatively young age. Having recorded 7 critically acclaimed albums as leader as well as featuring on many others as a sideman, Smoldas has spent the last 5 years performing across the globe from New York to Istanbul with names such as Bob Montgomery, Jeff Ballad and Adam Nussbaum to name a few. For his second time playing at the Wollongong Conservatorium, Smoldas will be joined by two of Australia's finest in Darren Heinrich (organ) and Nic Cecire (drums) for a night of hard driving, organ infused jazz.

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music

$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door

Click HERE for tickets
January Jazz Series at Town Hall Chamber every Sunday in January 2018 from 2-5pm. 
All shows are free and family friendly.
7 January - James Greening with Toby Dunan - drums, Dave Quinn Bass, Marley Rooney - keys, Eric Dunan - trumpet

14 January - Sandy Evans with Toby Dunan - drums, Zac Lopresti - bass, Marley Rooney - keys, Eric Dunan -trumpet

21 January - Eric Dunan Quintet with Dave Reglar - sax, Freyja Garbett - keys, Jodie Michael - drums, Mick Mear - bass

28 January - Jodie Michael Trio

CLICK HERE FOR TOWN HALL CHAMBER ADDRESS
Past Gigs 2017
October 20th - Cope St Parade
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
Justin Fermino - saxophones/voice, Aaron Flower - guitar/voice, Ben Panucci - guitar/voice, Sam Dobson - bass/voice

“This is ecstasy.” - Sydney Morning Herald


The Cope Street Parade are a high energy Australian music ensemble. They blend spicy rhythms with unique song writing that span the genres of folk, pop, gypsy and swing. With tender ballads and rollicking dance numbers they capture the spirit and warmth of early music styles and successfully blur the lines between the contemporary and the classic. Influences include Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, Father John Misty and Leadbelly. Formed in 2009, The Parade has performed at major music festivals and venues across Australia and has also been lucky enough to have collaborated with Lulo Reinhardt, Dan Barnett, Geoff Bull, Bob Henderson and Bob Barnard.


7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium


$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door


Click HERE to purchase tickets

October 14th - Barney McAll: ASIO CD Release Celebration
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

Mike Rivett - Sax, Carl Morgan - Guitar, Barney McAll - Piano, Alex Hirlian - Drums, Tom Botting - Bass.


ARIA award winner, double Bell Award winner, The Age Victoria Award winner and AIR award winner; Barney mcAll is one Australia's most celebrated contemporary jazz musicians. The critically acclaimed pianist and composer will present his ensemble, ASIO (The Australian Symbiotic Improvisers Orbit) for the first time in Wollongong to celebrate the release of the groups' brand new album and McAll's 12th as leader. The ensemble features an all star line-up of Mike Rivett on Tenor Sax (2016 National Jazz Award Winner), Carl Morgan on guitar, Tom Botting on bass and Alex Hirlian on drums. Not to be missed!


7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium


$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door


Click HERE to purchase tickets

October 1st - Human Laser Experiment

Come on down to the Wollongong con to hear the colours of Human Laser Experiment, now visible to the general public for the very first time! Music from 2pm, tickets $10 at the door.


HUMAN LASER EXPERIMENT

Featuring the compositions of Paddy Kelly, Human Laser Experiment is a musical exploration into the connection between sound and colour. With a style probably best expressed as "polyrhythmic jazz fusion", the band aims to keep the mind busy, but the feet busier. Rich acoustic harmonies blend into punchy unisons as they create a light show accessible to the ear alone.


MILES ROONEY trumpet

DES CANNINGS trombone

ZAC OLSEN alto sax

PADDY KELLY keys

BEC SCOLNIK bari sax

OSCAR PETERSON bass

CHLOE KIM drums

17 September - Term 3 Jazz Showcase "In the City"
All the jazz groups from the Wollongong Conservatorium under the direction of Eric Dunan will perform in the Arts Precinct (The Courtyard in front of IPAC at 32 Burelli Street) and in the Town Hall Chamber (the alleyway behind IPAC) beginning at 12pm - 3pm.  From 3-5 the Wollongong Con Faculty Jazz Quintet under the leadership of Eric Dunan will perform. FREE and family friendly event...so come on down and have a cuppa jazz!
August 31st -
Vincent Gardner and Belinda Munro (USA)
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
Vincent Gardner - Trombone, Belinda Munro - vocals, John Harkens piano, Brendan Clarke - bass, 
Aaron Jansz - drums

Chicago born jazz musician, Vincent Gardner is one of the world's most respected and well credentialed jazz trombonists. His credits are varied and numerous having played with acts as disparate as the Count Basie Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra to the Saturday Night Live Band and Matchbox 20. Winner of the 2014 Downbeat Magazine's "rising star" award as a bandleader in his own right, Gardner is the currently lead trombonist and a contributing composer for the famed Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Wynton Marsalis. 
Belinda Munro is a multi-talented singer, songwriter and actress and her many talents have seen her perform alongside mega-stars Luciano Pavaroti, Celine Dion and Mary J Blige. Don't miss this glittering duo perform in Wollongong for the very first time alongside a stellar band of Australian jazz stalwarts. 

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door

Click HERE for tickets
August 26th - Sheryl Bailey (USA)
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
Sheryl Bailey - guitar; Roger Manins - saxophone; Ashley Turner - bass; Andrew Dickeson - drums

"A sizzling guitar goddess" - All About Jazz

"Among the best bebop players with a fresh approach and something new" - Just Jazz Guitar

A guitarist of incredible chops and impeccable taste, Sheryl Bailey has barely had the guitar out of her hands since the age of 13 and has gone on to established herself as one of the foremost proponents of bebop jazz guitar in the world. Having played with the likes of Ingrid Jensen and George Garzone as well as placing 3rd at the prestigious Thelonious Monk competition in 1993 along with releasing 9 critically acclaimed albums as leader, Bailey's credentials speak for themselves. Don't miss her debut performance at the Wollongong Conservatorium with an all-star band of Australian musicians.

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium 

$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door

Click HERE to Purchase Tickets
August 11th - Way Out West
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium 

Peter Knight - trumpet/electronics, Paul Williamson - saxophones, Lucas Michailidis - guitar, 

Satsuki Odamura - koto, Howard Cairns - bass, James McLean - drums, Ray Pereira - percussion


Bell award winning and APRA award nominated group "Way Out West" lead by trumpeter Peter Knight offers a unique alluring sound combining Asian, African and jazz influences. This unique sound has earned the group a loyal local following as well as invitations to play some of the largest festivals and venues around the world. Their intriguing new project features Sydney based koto virtuoso Satsuki Odamura and builds on the band's long history of Asian instrumentation and approaches in a contemporary setting that infuses these influences with West-African groove and jazz melodies. Don't miss Way Out West's debut performance at the Wollongong Con.


7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium


$17G/$15C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S at the door


Click HERE to purchase tickets

July 28th - Phil Slater Quintet
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

Phil Slater -trumpet; Matt Keegan - saxophone; Matt McMahon - piano; Brett Hirst - bass; Simon Barker - drums.


Award winning trumpeter and composer, leader (or co-leader) of Sun Songbook, Band of Five Names, Daorum, and Trace Sphere and lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Phil Slater is widely considered one of the country's finest trumpeters. He has performed and recorded with many artists including Archie Roach, Mike Nock, Baecastuff, Katie Noonan, Paul Grabowsky, the Australian Art Orchestra, Sandy Evans, Pnau, DIG, Vince Jones, Missy Higgins, Lou Reed, Martha Wainwright, Jonathan Zwartz, Steve Hunter, and Nigel Kennedy. Winner of the National Jazz Award, the Limelight Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Australian Jazz’, the Bell Award for Australian Jazz Musician of the Year, the Bell Award for Contemporary Jazz Ensemble of the Year (Phil Slater Quartet) and the Music Council of Australia Freedman Fellowship, Slater will bring his prodigious talent and his eponymous quintet featuring an all-star cast of Australian jazz masters to the Conservatorium Auditorium on July 28th to play his highly acclaimed compositions.


7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium


$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door


Click HERE to purchase tickets

Sunday July 23rd - Jayden Clark Quartet
2pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium


Jayden Clark - Saxophone, Freyja Garbet - piano, Alex Inman-Hoslip - drums, Joshual Spolc - bass.

Jayden Clark will lead this group of young lions in a performance of his original music.  A few weeks after this gig, Jayden will be moving to San Francisco to partake in a four year study at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in Jazz Studies.

All Tickets are $10 at the door.
July 16th - Far Beyond
3pm - Town Hall Chamber
Paul Cutlan - saxophones, flute, clarinets; Gary Daley - piano, accordian; James Greening - trombone, pocket trumpet; Ben Hauptmann - guitars; Sandy Klose - bass; Fabian Hevia - drums, guitar

Far Beyond is the gathering of many years of playing and composing by its Chilean born leader Fabian Hevia. The music draws from the rich musical tapestries of South America and the influences of Jazz. The star studded line up brings a unique vibrancy to Hevia's compositions.

3pm - Town Hall Chamber, 3/63-65 Crown St, Wollongong

Tickets $17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door

Click HERE for tickets
June 30 - Gai Bryant Quintet
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium
Gai Bryant - saxophone, Danny Charmichael - trombone, Jeremey Sawkins - guitar, Brendan Clarke - bass, 
Paul Dericott - drums

Saxophonist, composer and soon to be doctor of Cuban folkloric music, Gai Bryant has been a stalwart of the Australian jazz scene for nearly 20 years. Her virtuoso skills as an instrumentalist and composer has seen her play beside some of the all time greats such as Mark Simmons, Sandy Evans, Jim McNeely and Don Burrows (to name a few) as well as lead her own groups on tours throughout Australia and the World to critical acclaim. For her debut performance at the Wollongong Conservatorium, she has brought together an illustrious group of contemporaries including Danny Carmichael, Jeremy Sawkins, Brendan Clarke and Paul Dericott to form the Gai Bryant Quintet. With tunes ranging from contemporary grooves, basic blues and Cuban influenced songs this is sure to be a special night of jazz.

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

Tickets $17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door

Click HERE for tickets

June 25th - Jazz Showcase
2-5pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music

An afternoon of jazz featuring the award-winning student combos and ensembles in three venues on site at the Wollongong Conservatorium of music. The termly Jazz Showcase serves to highlight the hard-working students of the Conservatorium in groups both large and small lead by the highly acclaimed staff of the jazz faculty. 

2pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music

This is FREE event.


May 6th - Jens Hoppe and The Masters
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

Jens Hoppe - guitar, Nick Southcott - piano, Max Alduca - bass, Dave Goodman - drums


Jens Hoppe has been performing for over 25 years.  He’s recently finished his masters degree in Jazz at the Sydney Conservatorium of music and has been on staff teaching jazz guitar at the Wollongong Conservatorium Music for 15 years.  Pianist Nick Southcott and drummer Dave Goodman have been performing with Hoppe since his early years as an undergrad. The addition of Max Alduca, who plays with Goodman and Southcott in Trioflight rounds out the group perfectly.  The music is textural treat featuring some bop influenced songs with influences of Dave Frisell and Kurt Rosenwinkel.


7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium


$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door


Click HERE to purchase tickets

 Friday April 7 - Michael Griffin Quintet
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium 
plus
Jazz Showcase Term 1
6pm-8pm - Wollongong Conservatorium (multiple venues)

Michael Griffin - sax, Tom Avgenicos - trumpet, Aaron Blakey - piano, Max Alduca - bass, Tim Geldens - drums

Saxophonist Michael Griffin was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Thelonius Monk Competition in 2013.  Since then he has spent time performing in New York where his playing has been lauded by jazz legends Jimmy Heath and Vincent Herring.  He was the youngest Australian to ever be featured in the iconic Downbeat Magazine and his debut album "Unexpected Greeting" made the top 10 Australian Jazz Albums of 2015

The Jazz Showcase features all the student jazz groups from the Conservatorium Jazz Program performing in numerous rooms around the campus from 6-8pm.

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

(Jazz Showcase 6pm - 8pm)

Click HERE to purchase tickets

April 1st - Daniel Susnjar Afro-Peruvian Jazz Group
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

Ricki Malet - trumpet, Luke Minness - saxophone, Harry Mitchell - piano, Jeremy Thomson - guitar, 

Zac Grafton - bass, Daniel Susnjar - drums/compositions, Iain Robbie - percussion


"Refreshing, danceable and lively" - JazzViews.net


"A brilliant breakout percussion display from Susnjar" - The Australian


Combining infectious grooves, emotive melodies, risk taking improvisation and extreme dynamics, the Daniel Susnjar Afro-Peruvian Jazz Group radiates a joyful energy that infects not just the band members but the entire room. Their debut album "Su Su Nje" won the group two Bell Awards in 2015 and Daniel himself has twice been nominated for the prestigious Freedman Jazz Fellowship in 2015 and 2016. Performing for the very first time in Wollongong at the Conservatorium, this stellar, award-winning ensemble is not to be missed.


7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium


$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door.


Click HERE to purchase Tickets


CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO OF THE AFRO-PERUVIAN JAZZ GROUP HERE

March 17th - Matt Keegan 'The Three Seas'
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditdorium
Raju Das Baul - lead vocals/khamak, Deo Ashis Mothey - vocals/guitar/dotora, Matt Keegan - sax/clarinet/harmonium, Steve Elphick - bass, Gaurab Chatterjee - dubki/drums

The Three Seas combine elements of Indian folk music with a western style of song form and production in a band full of engaging performers from India and Australia. Listeners can expect a soulful, soul-based repertoire with a diverse array of voices and unusual instruments, no Tabla's or Sitar's here. Centre stage is the master folk singer, Raju Das Baul. His amazing stage presence, arresting voice and virtuosic khamak playing showcase the best of the Baul tradition. Deo Mothey bring his enigmatic style from he mountains in Darjeeling, while Kolkata based rock drummer and dubki expert Gaurab Chatterjee (from the famous Bengali band Lakkhichhara), smoothly bridges musical cultures. From Australia, band-leader and saxophonist Matt Keegan and master bassist Steve Elphick complete the unique sound of the band.

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

$17G/$12C/$10 online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door

Click HERE to purchase Tickets
March 10th - Michelle Nicolle Quartet
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

Michelle Nicolle - voice, Geoff Hughes - guitar, Ronny Ferella - drums, Tom Lee - bass


The Michelle Nicolle Quartet are critically acclaimed as one of the most prolific and inventive jazz ensembles in the country.  For the last 16 years they’ve released eight CDs and touring extensively throughout Australia and internationally – For their return gig to Wollongong the MNQ will be launching the new ABC release “A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing.”


7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium


$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door


Click HERE to purchase tickets

February 24th - HEKKA
7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

Novak Manojlovic - Piano, Tully Ryan - drums, Jaques Emery - bass


HEKKA plays through-composed song forms influenced by artists such as Golden Valley is Now and Vijay Iyer Trio while maintaining an ultimate goal for visceral affection and storytelling as heard in the music of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. Their improvisations draw from a learned rhythmic language and sonic environment that draws as much from jazz as from rock, pop and hiphop music. A trio comprising of Novak Manojlovic, Tully Ryan and Jacques Emery, their shared influence and experience nourishes the music resulting in a modernistic performance that has made lasting impressions at festivals and venues throughout Sydney. 


7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium


$17G/$12C/$10S online or $20G/$15C/$10S on the door


Click HERE to purchase Tickets.

Check out the amazing shows we had in 2016 below.  Make sure you sing up for our email list so you don't miss out.  

Past Gigs 2016 

Saturday November 5th - Ingrid and Christine Jensen with The Mike Nock Trio (CAN/AUS)
7pm - Wollongong Con Auditorium
The Mike Nock Trio will perform with Ingrid and Christine Jensen

Ingrid Jensen - trumpet, Christine Jensen - sax, Mike Nock - piano, Brett Hirst - bass, Ben Waples - drums.

"Ingrid plays trumpet and flugelhorn with all the brilliance and fire of a true virtuoso following the spirit of the muse as she creates...warm, sensitive, exciting and totally honest.” - Marian McPortland

Ingrid has been hailed as one of the most gifted trumpet players of her generation. Born in Vancouver and a graduate of the prestigious Berklee Collage of Music, Jensen moved to New York in the late 1990's where she quickly established herself as one of the most in-demand trumpeters in the international jazz scene. A star soloist of the Maria Schnieder and Darcy James Argue Orchestras one of her closest collaborators is her sister, saxophonist and composer, Christine Jensen. In addition to Christine's own orchestra they co-lead various groups and recently recorded an album with famed guitarist Ben Monder. Supported by the legendary Mike Nock and his trio, this is a rare chance to experience two of the finest horn players in the world at the height of their powers.

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

$25G/$20C/$15S

www.ingridjensen.com

Thursday November 3rd - Shannon Barnett Quartet (GER/AUS)
7pm - Wollongong Con Auditorium

Stefan Karl Schmid - saxophone/clarinet, Shannon Barnett - trombone, David Helm - bass, Fabian Arends - drums.

"She has a big strong sound, but one thatʼs as capable of finesse as bluster; she has plenty of chops, and never seems to run out of ideas. Best of all, she attacks her solos with real gusto, an unbridled pleasure in the act of creating music.”
- Adrian Jackson, Rhythms magazine 2011

Shannon Barnett (2007 Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year) is well-known to Australian audiences through her work with The Vampires, The Black Arm Band, The Bamboos, Andrea Keller and Circus Oz. Since 2014, she has been based in Cologne, Germany were she plays regularly in the vibrant contemporary jazz scene. For her performance at the Wollongong Conservatorium, Barnett is bringing her three exciting collaborators - and some of Germany's top sidemen - Stefan Karl Schmid, David Helm and Fabian Arends. Together they bring Barnettʼs compositions to life, which feature space for the development and sharing of ideas, as well revealing a wicked sense of humour.  

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

$25G/$20C/$15S

www.shannonbarnett.info

Shannon with the WDR big band


This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.
Saturday October 29th - Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra feat. Florian Ross (GER/AUS)
7pm - Wollongong High School Performing Arts Centre (WHSPAC)
German Composer and pianist Florian Ross

Australia's leading jazz orchestra, The Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra will return to Wollongong with dynamic German composer/pianist Florian Ross as part of the orchestra's national tour playing Ross' latest large ensemble works. Since 2003, the JMO has gained a reputation as one of the world's most respected independent jazz orchestra's collaborating with many international stars including Maria Schnieder (USA), Chris Potter (USA) and Bert Joris (BE) to name a few. Combining with the amazing piano playing and composing panache of Ross - himself a highly regarded leader and sideman in his own right, having played with Kenny Wheeler, John Scofield, Bob Brookmeyer and more - expect a night of dynamic, exciting and highly original music. 

7pm - Wollongong High School Performing Arts Centre

$25G/$20C/$15S

www.mothershiporchestra.com

This concert is proudly supported by the Goethe Institut

Monday October 3rd - James Muller Quartet
7pm - Wollongong Con Auditorium

James Muller - guitar, Matt Jodrell - trumpet, Sam Anning - bass, Ben Vanderwal - drums

"James Muller is a mountain of guitar virtuosity...All the things that are the most effective in jazz, rock, blues and country guitar emerge naturally at the right time, in the right place and it can give the listener shivers" - John Clare, SMH

ARIA award winning guitarist James Muller returns to the Wollongong Conservatorium this October. In addition to his usual stellar trio of bassist Sam Anning (2015 National Jazz Award winner and multiple Bell Award winner) and legendary Perth drummer Ben Vanderwal (sideman to John Scofield, Charlie Haden, Chris Potter and George Garzone), Muller will also bring the award winning and exciting young trumpeter Matt Jodrell (runner-up National Jazz Award) for a night of incredible music. This will likely sell-out so be sure to purchase your tickets online.

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

$20G/$15C/$10S on the door or $17G/$12C/$10 online

Friday September 23rd - Term 3 Jazz Showcase feat. Crossover
6pm Wollongong Conservatorium

Bonnie Stewart - drums/voice, Peter Farrar - alto saxophone/pipes, Luke Sweeting - piano/toys

The Jazz Showcase is a once a term celebration of all the jazz combos and ensembles at the Conservatorium and a chance for all jazz students to show off their hard-work throughout the term. Bands perform in multiple locations across the Conservatorium grounds starting at 6pm before a feature performance by Bonnie Stewart's 'Crossover' in the Auditorium at 7pm.

Bonnie Stewart’s ethereal voice and percussive textures sail through her evolving compositions, flowing together with the lush and playful tones of pianist Luke Sweeting (2016 Freedman Fellowship finalist) and the distinctive experimental sounds of Peter Farrar, one of australia's most exciting and respected young saxophonists. Crossover forges an amalgam of improvisation, haunting melodies, and polyphonic soundscapes. A rearrangement of Bonnie’s quintet Criss Cross, this trio of individual improvisors creates a unique and cohesive collective sound.

6pm - Wollongong Conservatorium

$10 General, $5 Concession/Parent of Performer, Con students and performers FREE

www.soundcloud.com/bonniedrums 

www.lukesweeting.com/

Saturday July 30th - Bungaribee 
3pm Matinee show

Paul Cutlin - reeds, Gary Daley - accordion, piano, Tunji Beier - percussion, Ollie Miller - cello  

"Some of the most interesting combinations of composed and improvised music that I've heard in Australia" - Philip Johnston

Bungarribee grew out of Gary Daley's renowned Sanctuary project which features a 9 piece ensemble. Daley wanted to experiment with a more intimate group which could explore his compositions as well as create improvisations on gems from the classical and jazz worlds. Featuring some of Australia's most respected contemporary musicians , the Bungarribee quartet traverses diverse musical terrain. 

3pm – Wollongong Conservtorium Auditorium

$20G/$15C/$10S on the door or $17G/$12C/$10S online

Monday July 25th James Morrison
with the Megaband and Wollongong Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra 

World-renowned trumpet player and multi-instrumentalist James Morrison returns to Wollongong for a special performance with the award-winning Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra PLUS an opening set featuring 150 of the Illawarra's young musicians who make up the 2016 Megaband.

7pm - University Hall, University of Wollongong 

$15G/$10S and children 12 and under are FREE

Young musicians wishing to play in the Megaband and perform with James can register HERE.

21st May - 2nd June: The Autumn Jazz Festival

For the first time ever, the Wollongong Conservatorium Of Music Jazz Series is proud to present the Autumn/Winter Jazz Festival featuring three internationally recognized artist performing over three weeks in the Wollongong Conservatorium auditorium. The Conservatorium will be offering a “Festival Pass” which grants access to all three shows at a discounted rate or one can buy tickets to each show individually. Read on below to see the amazing artists who will be playing as part of the festival.

Festival Passes: $55G/$45C/$30S

May 21st - Kristin Berardi Band

Winner of the Montreux Jazz Festival International Vocal Competition in 2006, winner of the Freedman Fellowship in 2007 and winner of the National Jazz Award in 2012, Kristin Berardi has established herself as Australia’s – and indeed, one of the World’s premiere jazz vocalist. Originally from the North Queensland country town of Koumala, Berardi has since performed at Jazz festival and clubs throughout Europe, Asia and America including supporting jazz legends Al Jarreau and George Benson at the 2007 Montreux Jazz Festival. To kick off the Wollongong Conservatorium Jazz Series Autumn/Winter Jazz Festival, Berardi returns to the Wollongong Conservatorium Of Music to perform her original compositions with her stellar band for a truly world class concert that is not to be missed.

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music

Tickets $25G/$20C/$15S 

Click HERE to purchase tickets

Kristin Berardi – vocal, Carl Morgan – guitar, Greg Coffin – piano, Brett Hirst – bass, Tim Firth – drums 

May 26th - Joe Farnsworth (USA)

New York based drummer, Joe Farnsworth is regarded as one of the top jazz drummers in the world and with over 70 records behind him – playing with such greats as Wynton Marsalis, Cedar Walton, Ron Carter and Benny Golson to name a few – he can be considered one of the most recorded too. For his first-ever performance in Wollongong as part of the Wollongong Conservatorium Jazz Series Autumn/Winter Jazz Festival, Farnsworth will be playing with a fellow modern great, Australia’s own Dale Barlow (sax), an alumni of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Supported by Australian jazz stalwarts, John Harkin and Brendan Clarke, this performance promises to be a night of blistering swing and fiery hard-bop. 

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music

Tickets $25G/$20C/$15S 

Click HERE to purchase tickets

Dale Barlow – saxophone, John Harkin – piano, Brendan Clarke – bass, Joe Farnsworth – drums 

2nd June - The Vampires with Lionel Loueke (USA)

The Vampires’ music is a unique blend of soulful jazz, old-school reggae and all-out funk-laden Afrobeat. Combined with risk-taking improvisation, sophisticated compositions and an uncanny sense of dialogue and emotion between the sax/trumpet front line, the band defies these genres and has wrought a style of their own. After releasing four critically acclaimed albums and successfully touring extensively nationally and internationally, The Vampires return to the Wollongong Conservatorium Of Music to headline the Autumn/Winter Jazz Festival with modern jazz guitar great, Lionel Loueke (USA). Originally from the West African country of Benin, Loueke left Africa to pursue jazz studies at the American School of Modern Music in Paris before moving to the U.S. to continue his studies the Berklee College. He has since established himself as one of the world’s most outstanding guitarists having played and recorded with Herbie Hancock, Terrance Blanchard, Jack DeJohnette, Charlie Haden and Joe Lovano. 

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music

Click HERE to purchase tickets

Jeremy Rose – alto, Nick Garbett – trumpet, Lionel Loueke – guitar, Jonathan Zwarts– bass, Alex Masso – drums 

April 12th - Scott Tinkler and Simon Barker 

Scott Tinkler - trumpet, Simon Barker - drums

The “Lost Thoughts Duo” brings together two of Australia’s most important and influential musicians in Scott Tinkler and Simon Barker. Both leading exponents of traditional music from India and Korea respectively, the duo will present a special discussion concerning their music, their influences and the rhythmic and melodic structures present in their work before performing an intimate set of their compositions.

7pm - Discussion, 8pm - Concert, Wollongong Conservatorium of Music

$17G, $13C, $10S online o $20, $15C, $10S on the door (admission price includes pre-concert discussion)

www.stinkler.com 

kimnara.com.au

April 10th - Jazz Showcase Featuring Hammerhead 

Jason Bruer - tenor sax, Andrew Robertson - alto sax, Ray Cassar - trumpet, Greg Coffin - piano, Matt Gruebner - bass, Duncan Archibald - drums

Evoking the sounds from the classic 'blue note' era of the mid sixties, Hammerhead draws inspiration from notable composers of that period including Wayne Shorter, Cedar Walton and Horace Silver. Formed through the common musical aspirations of internationally acclaimed tenor saxophonist and hard swinging drummer, Duncan Archibald, the band plays with a spirit and energy that has won the sextet rave reviews.

As well as the feature performance, all combos and big-bands from the Wollongong Conservatorium jazz program will be performing.

2pm - Showcase, 3pm - Hammerhead, Wollongong Conservatorium of Music

All tickets $10

jasonbruer.com/hammerhead 

March 19th - Trioflight 

Nick Southcott - piano, Dave Goodman - drums, Max Alduca - bass

Trioflight play original, improvised, organic and free range music. Featuring two Australian jazz powerhouses in Dave Goodman and Nick Southcott plus the young firebrand Max Alduca, they have a uniquely intuitive approach, with an emphasis on beautiful melodies and free flowing spontaneity. For their debut performance at the Wollongong Conservatorium, they will be presenting music from thier latest release, "The Rumour of Forests and Waves" which draws from a wide range of influences and inspirations including the natural Australian landscape and abstract mathematical concepts. 

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

$17G/$13C/$10S online or $20/$15C/$10S at the door

www.trioflight.com

www.facebook.com/trioflight


February 28th - Will Vinson Quartet (UK/USA)

Will Vinson - Sax, James Muller - guitar, Sam Anning - bass, Tim Firth - drums

 "An exciting young saxophonist with a lethal approach to writing and soloing." - Time Out London

"Exhilarating, cascading... Outstanding." - Jazz Times.

Originally from London, Alto Saxophonist Will Vinson moved to New York in 1999 and has since gained an international reputation as a band leader and sideman. Having played, recorded and appeared with artists as varied and acclaimed as Kurt Rosewinkel, Sujan Stevens, Chris Potter and Martha Wainwright, Will will bring an all-star band of Australian jazz superstars including James Muller, Sam Anning and Ben Vanderwall to the Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium to play a special and intimate performance. 

4pm - Wollongong Conservatorium Auditorium

$17G/$13C/$10S online or $20/$15C/$10S at the door

www.willvinson.com/live

 February 9th - Briana Cowlisha and Gavin Ahearn Fjords Album Launch

 Briana Cowlishaw- voice, Gavin Ahearn – piano

 A project born out of the hypnotically picturesque hills of Norway, Briana Cowlishaw and Gavin Ahearn come together to create mesmerising performance. Their latest release 'Fjord' is a duo album recorded in Nesna (Norway) October 2014, which captures a true sense of free and honest expression. Stripped back to piano and voice, the album presents a collection of their own compositions and a number of refreshing arrangements of their most loved pop and jazz standards ('Fool on the Hill', 'Stompin' at the Savoy').

The album launch performance will feature Gavin and Briana performing a duo set of songs from the album, which will then be followed by a set of music with full band, featuring Clint Corbin –drums and Harry Birch - bass.

7pm - Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, Auditorium

$17G, $13C, $10C online or $20G, $15C, $10 on the door.

brianacowlishaw.com

More Past Events

(pre 2016) 

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