Uptown Jazz Cafe - Melbourne's newest jazz and improvised music venue

Modern jazz guitar master James Sherlock is one of the best straight ahead jazz guitar players in Australia. Whether playing in classic guitar trio or with vocalist, he’s right at home with the swinging jazz standards repertoire from the 50’s and 60’s right through to present day, and it is always a delight to be at James's performances.



A significant figure on the Australian jazz scene for a number of years, member of the famous “BOPSTRETCH” band that has held a Wednesday residency at Uptown for almost 10 years.

Having recently been recorded live by ABC FM radio's "JazzTrack," this trio is the quintessential guitar led jazz sound.


 James has performed, toured, recorded and collaborated with a variety of Australian and International musicians; however, the Guitar/Bass/Drums trio has been the backbone of James' performance output for over 20 years. This incarnation of the trio features outstanding young bassist Ben Hanlon and Danny Fischer on drums.


"This could be exhibit A in the case that some of the world's most exciting jazz is being made in Australia.” John Shand - Sydney Morning Herald (“Watermark” review)
“Sherlock is a wonderful guitarist, and a craftsman of songs possessing beauty and depth. “Solo” should make a few Top 10s of the year and help propel Sherlock onto the bigger stage he surely deserves. Definitely a name to watch out for.” Ian Patterson, All About Jazz.

 

$25 full/ $10 students - cash on entry/cards fine at the bar - doors open 7.30, music from 8pm. Seats still available.

bookings please email us - uptownjazzcafe@email.com

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Very happy to have the Phil Noy Trio this Thursday!

feat Sam Bates - Drums and Ben Hanlon - Bass, Phil Noy - Saxophone

Long time collaborators , all members of this trio played for well over a decade as Bopstretch at uptown jazz cafe.

We very much look forward to returning in trio format playing original music and no doubt some material from many years of the Bopstretch days.




Tix $25/20 concession -  cash entry - cards fine at the bar. Seats still available.

bookings please email us - uptownjazzcafe@email.com

 

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The very welcome return for possibly the most beautiful jazz trio you will ever hear....

Julio and the Stevies is the trio comprising Julien Wilson - saxophone, Stephen Magnusson - guitar and Steve Grant - accordion
Playing original compositions, as well as unique interpretations of such standards as "my heart belongs to daddy" and "the jitterbug waltz," and even some brazilian classical music, the trio is quiet, lyrical and beautiful to experience.

"The unusual instrumental lineup (tenor saxophone, accordion and nylon-string guitar) magnifies the lyrical tendencies of all three players, who seem to breathe as one as they create quiet but intensely evocative melodies, textures and subtly shifting moods. Listening to the trio is as close as you’re likely to get to dreaming with your eyes open."
Jessica Nicholas

julien wilson – saxophone
steve magnusson - guitar
steve grant – accordion
 

$30/25 concession.  cash on entry/cards fine at the bar. Seats still available.

Doors open 7.30, music from 8pm.

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bookings - email uptownjazzcafe@email.com and just pay for tickets on arrival

Saxophone colossus Carl Mackey and Quartet return to the Uptown stage this Saturday to deliver a night of hard swinging jazz.

Melbourne based saxophonist, Carl Mackey has been a stalwart on the Australian jazz landscape for more than three decades. Renowned for his versatile and emotionally charged playing style, he has shared the stage with a diverse array of artists, including Lionel Hampton, Kurt Elling, Sammy Figueroa, Ben Wendel, James Morrison, Kate Ceberano, Boy and Bear, Blur, Noel Gallagher,
and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

He has supported international stars such as James Brown, Harry Connick Jnr, The Yellowjackets, Ray Charles and Dianne Reeves.
Co-leader of award-winning group Speedball, he is a member of the Sam Anning Sextet, Australian National Jazz Orchestra, lead alto in the Vanessa Perica Orchestra and can be heard in groups as diverse as Andrea Keller’s Composer’s Circle through to latin orchestra, La Influencia.
A two time James Morrison Scholarship finalist, and a Freedman Fellowship finalist in 2006, Mackey has toured extensively with appearances in the United States, UK, Italy, India, and is a regular fixture on the national jazz festival scene with regular performances at the Melbourne, Perth, Wangaratta, Brisbane and Sydney International Jazz Festivals.

 

Tix $35/30 concession -  cash entry - cards fine at the bar. Seats still available.


Doors open 7.30, music from 8pm.

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bookings - email uptownjazzcafe@email.com and just pay for tickets on arrival



 

New York pianist Brett Williams up this Saturday playing modern standards and ballads to blow your mind. Although well known as the keyboard player in the Marcus Miller Band, his love and proficiency in straight ahead jazz is outstanding and a joy to experience. Expect tunes by Thelonious Monk, Fats Waller, Charlie Parker and more....

Brett has performed with artists & musicians including Stevie Wonder, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Marcus Miller, Mumford & Sons, Billy Joel, Chris Thile, Mino Cinelu, Kevin Garrett, Snarky Puppy, Robert Glasper, Jose James, Sean Jones, Keyon Harrold, & Charles Haynes. He has also performed regularly with Jon Batiste on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Williams has already accomplished a significant level of experience on the bandstand & more recently in the studio as well. It is Williams’ openness to a wide range & myriad of musical styles & genres, his “old soul”, & his musical honesty that have helped him create & mold a dynamic sound & voice as a pianist & composer. He released his debut EP S3asons in 2019.

Bookings highly recommended - uptownjazzcafe@email.com


 

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bookings - email uptownjazzcafe@email.com and just pay for tickets on arrival
 

One of the all time heavyweight greats of Australian jazz saxophone, Sydney's Dale Barlow returns to Uptown with an incredible swinging quartet.
Member of legendary American groups Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, The Cedar Walton Quartet and the Billy Cobham Band, his credits include touring and recording with some of the all-time greats - Sonny Stitt, Chet Baker, Gil Evans, Jackie McLean, Billy Cobham, Curtis Fuller, Eddie Palmieri, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Golson, Lee Konitz, Sonny Stitt, Helen Merryl, Mulgrew Miller, Cindy Blackman, Ernie Watts, Eddie Henderson, Kenny Barron, Ray Drummond, and Billy Higgins.
Born into a musical family, Dale (born Dec 25 1960) was highly acclaimed at a very early age in Australia as featured soloist with various youth big bands and small groups. By the age of 17 he was reluctantly being coupled with touring American jazz greats by agents excited at showing off Australian young talent. He toured with one of his idols, Sonny Stitt. After completing his musical studies at the NSW conservatorium, he moved to New York to further hone his musical skills and be part of the greatest Jazz scene in the world. He studied saxophone with George Coleman and Dave Liebman piano with Barry Harris, and Hal Galper, and won a scholarship to study at the "Jazz composers workshop" with Bob Brookmeyer and Manny Album. During this time he worked the New York Scene and toured the world constantly, performing regularly at major jazz festivals throughout the USA., Canada, Europe, Japan, Asia and the Soviet Union, and recording with many of the great Jazz Artists.
Since returning to Australia, Dale has received numerous awards and accolades including: Album of the Year/ Jazz performer of the year/ International Artist of the Year/ Bicentennial Artist of the Year, four Mo Awards and numerous grants and credits for his for his achievements and contribution to the arts In Australia. Dale is a Master of Music (Canberra University), appears regularly on television and enjoys excellent media attention.
Don't miss this chance to see one of the best on a rare visit to Melbounre.

Book now to reserve a table.




 

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bookings - email uptownjazzcafe@email.com




 all entry fees are ex gst