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

One of Australia’s finest jazz musicians, internationally acclaimed jazz pianist Mark Fitzgibbon returns to Uptown this Wednesday night.
 
Having lived in London in the 1980’s performing at Ronnie Scotts and throughout Europe, Mark has accompanied many international jazz stars such as Lee Konitz, John Stubblefield, Curtis Lundy, Claire Martin, Mark Murphy and George Coleman jr.
 
Winner of the National jazz awards at the Wangarratta jazz festival, he has worked and recorded with with many of Australias finest jazz performers including Dale Barlow, Bernie Mcgann, Vince Jones, Christine Mcnulty, Jamie Oehlers, Scott Tinkler, Ian Chaplin and Wilbur Wilde, as well as his own trios and quartets.

The quintessential bebop jazz pianist, his swinging touch and virtuosity is the reason why he’s one of the most in demand players in Australia.

 

 “Mark Fitzgibbon is one of the most under rated talents in the country. Always musically tasteful , a consistently sympathetic accompanist , a repository of a vast repertoire and an impeccable touch, he can produce blistering solos and lift the music to another level” -Adrian Jackson the AGE


$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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The Alice Bisschops Quartet returns to Uptown Jazz Cafe for more "Desmond-esque".

Led by Naarm based career jazz saxophonist, Alice Bisschops; “Desmond-esque” presents the music of Paul Desmond and Jim Hall.

Join us for an evening of elegant Cool Jazz and melodic interplay, featuring arrangements of Desmond’s and Hall’s recordings and original compositions. With a sophisticated ensemble sound and effortless, nimble melodies, “Desmond-esque” is a dulcet listening experience.

Alice will be joined by the exceptionally talented;

Pierre Jaquinot on Guitar
James Lockwood on Double Bass
Edward York on Drumkit




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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Funk legendary guitarist Lance Fergusson leads THE SHACKMEN - a very rare coming together of old friends who happen to make up one of the best rhythm sections in the country.

The engine room of legendary Melbourne funk gods The Bamboos for 10 years, they are now the mystical unicorn of funk rhythm sections.



Featuring -
Ben Grayson (Hammond)
Lance Ferguson (Guitar)
Yuri Pavlinov (bass)
Daniel Farrugia (drums)

Playing swinging funk grooves like no other this Friday, a special gig not to be missed

 

$35/30 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

6.30pm THE DALE BARLOW QUARTET

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.

Seats still available. 

8.30pm BOB REYNOLDS/ JULIEN WILSON QUARET "BACK TO BACK" - Booked Out

Long time members of the mutual admiration club since both tenor saxophonists studied in Boston with George Garzone in the late nineties/early noughties.
3X Grammy Award Winning sax icon Bob Reynolds is touring Australia with "instrumental pop fusion" band Snarky Puppy and will make a special impromptu "Blowing Session" appearance at Uptown Jazz Cafe with local legend Julien Wilson (soon to tour Canada with Open Thread and US/UK with legendary punk band, The Saints).

Julien has released close to twenty albums as leader or co-leader and plays regularly with a wide range of groups. Over the last two decades he has toured extensively overseas, spent extended periods living in Zurich & New York, and made long-term contributions to high profile groups including The Australian Art Orchestra & The Black Arm Band. He has been an integral member of a number of critically acclaimed co-operative groups including SNAG, Assumptions & Ishish and is featured on award winning albums by Barney McAll, Stu Hunter, Jonathan Zwartz, Sam Anning, Andrea Keller, Kristin Berardi, Sarah McKenzie and Ben Salter.

In addition to his own projects and the groups listed above, Julien has been featured as a soloist with the Kurt Elling Quartet (USA) & The Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Gavin Bryars (UK) & Aventa Ensemble (Canada) and Paul Grabowsky’s Eye of the Storm Suite for Solo Soprano Sax with Jazz Trio + 30 piece Chamber Orchestra. He has recorded and performed with artists including Charlie Haden, Hermeto Pascoal, Brian Wilson, Thirsty Merc, Hugh Masekala, Osunlade, Nigel Kennedy, David Ades, Bob Moses, Augie March, George Garzone, James Carter, Phil Treloar, David Tolley, Josh Roseman, Bernie McGann, Vince Jones, Paul Kelly, Archie Roach, Meshell Ndegeocello, Mavis Staples & The Artie Shaw Orchestra

The rhythm section for this special event will comprise expat Canadian drummer Dylan van der Schyff, and ex-Perth/ex-NewYork/potentially soon to be ex-Melbourne bassist, Sam Anning.

If you like tenor saxophone and jazz music, there's a high chance you'll have a good time at this gig at... Uptown Jazz Cafe

Tix $40  -  cash entry - cards fine at the bar.

 

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



 

Speedball is back after 7 long years! Renowned for their hard hitting, hi octane brand of no holds barred jazz, this a night not to be missed!





Mat Jodrell - trumpet
Carl Mackey - saxes
Grant Windsor - piano
Sam Anning - bass
Daniel Susnjar - drums



Bookings highly recommended - uptownjazzcafe@email.com


 

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

Andrea Keller is one of Australia's leading contemporary jazz pianists and composers. Multiple ARIA and Bell Award winner, famous for the Andrea Keller Quartet, she has now embarked on a series of trios, inspired by the philosophy and legacy of the much loved and respected mentor Allan Browne.
Based on a collective approach, the music strives for human connection and meaningful dialogue. The trios perform compositions by all members, free improvisations and a few standards as well.
With their beginnings in January 2016, Andrea assembled a series of trios inspired by the philosophy and legacy of esteemed mentor Allan Browne. Based on a collective approach, the music strives for human connection and meaningful dialogue. The trios perform compositions by all members, free improvisations and a few standards as well.

“Wonderful compositions by Keller and Anning. Keller’s tribute to the late John Taylor, a pianist and mentor, entitled “Grateful, Hopeful, Joyful”, was breathtakingly beautiful.” “There was so much magnetism and space in the originals they played that I did not want to leave”
- Review of Transients I at Wangaratta Jazz Festival by Roger Mitchell, Ausjazz.




 

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bookings - email uptownjazzcafe@email.com




 all entry fees are ex gst