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.














Tix $30/25 concession - seats still available
Cash entry - cards fine at the bar

Doors open 7.30, music from 8pm.

bookings please email us - uptownjazzcafe@email.com

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One of the world's leading improvised music guitar players
Guitarist and composer Stephen Magnusson is a musician at the height of his powers. From the precocious virtuoso who dazzled the music world when he crashed onto the scene, to a musician so mature, complete and respected that when people talk of an “Australian sound” of instrumental music, it is Magnusson’s influence – his tone, his touch, his compositional watermark and his deep sensitivity – that they hear.

founding member of SNAG, FESTA, Assumptions Trio (Julien Wilson and Will Guthrie) Julio and The Stevies (again with Julien and also Stephen Grant), his trio MAG (Frank DiSario and Dave Beck) and the latest quartet – Magnet (Carl Pannuzzo, Eugene Ball and Sergio Beresovsky) Steve is one of the most vital, musical and leading exponents in this music.

Julien Wilson 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



Tix $35/30 concession - seats still available

Cash entry - cards fine at the bar

Doors open 7.30, music from 8pm.

bookings please email us - uptownjazzcafe@email.com

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Trumpeter Mat Jodrell is one of the most exciting voices in Jazz today. He has recently returned to Australia after having lived in New York City for the past eight years, performing around the city and teaching at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music.

During his time in the States, Mat was a regular member of many ensembles, all of whom he has recorded with. They include Miguel Zenon’s ‘Identities’ Ensemble, Ryan Truesdell’s Gil Evans Project (both Grammy nominated in 2016), Lucas Pino’s No Net Nonet, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Miho Hazama’s M-Unit, Kenny Werner’s ‘No Beginning, No End’, Pedro Giraudo’s Expansions Ensemble, Jon Batiste Band, the Birdland Big Band, the Bill Mobley big band, the Dan Jamieson big band and many others.

Since re-locating to the US Mat has had the opportunity to perform with the likes of Benny Golson, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Branford Marsalis, Buster Williams, Hubert Laws, Maria Schneider Orchestra, the Mingus Big Band, James Spaulding, Carl Allen, Terri-Lyn Carrington, Bill Watrous, Gary Bartz, Terence Blanchard, Darcy James Argue, Josh Roseman to name but a few. Between 2008 and 2012 Mat has performed regularly on Broadway with the shows ‘Hair’ and ‘After Midnight’ and continues to work with legendary singer Paul Anka with whom he has toured throughout Europe, Russia, Asia, South America and the Middle East.

He has performed in many of the world’s most famous jazz clubs in New York City including the Vanguard, Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Birdland, Smoke, Smalls, Zinc and the Iridium, as well as touring to many of the largest festivals including the Newport Jazz Festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the Detroit Jazz Festival and many others.







Tix $35/30 concession - seats still available

Cash entry - cards fine at the bar

Doors open 7.30, music from 8pm.

bookings please email us - uptownjazzcafe@email.com

More

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

Sam Keevers is one of the most amazing jazz pianists in the country. This week features him with a stellar line up playing swinging standards and lyrical songs by composers as diverse as, Fats Waller, Thelonious Monk and the Buena Vista Social Club.


Sam has performed and recorded with international artists such as Chris Potter, John Scofield, Ron Carter, Bobby Previte's Bitches Brew Project and Joe Bataan. 

In 1996 he formed the 14 piece Latin Jazz group "Los Cabrones" which continues to perform around Melbourne and has performed at international festivals in China and New Caledonia. 

In 2004 Sam toured Europe with the Jamie Oehlers Quartet performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Edinburgh Jazz Festival, Galway Arts Festival, a tour of Ireland and a residency at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London. 

Sam was a finalist for the Freedman Jazz Fellowship in 2005 and was nominated for an ARIA award for the album "Grace", a duo recording with Jamie Oehlers. 

Long time member of the Vince Jones ensemble, founding member of Australia'a premier afro-cuban jazz orchestra "Los Cabrones," the Jamie Oehlers Quintet, the Sam Keevers Nonet featuring Bernie McGann, and the "Red Fish Blue," Sam's music is always joyful and inspired and a treat to be part of, whether playing swinging standards in the 60's Herbie Hancock vein or his heavily latin influenced originals, Uptown is very much looking forward to this performance....


Sam Keevers - piano
Chris Hale – bass
Danny Fischer – drums





Tix $35/30 concession - seats still available

Cash entry - cards fine at the bar

Doors open 7.30, music from 8pm.

bookings please email us - uptownjazzcafe@email.com

More

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