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

Craig Fermanis is one of Melbourne’s most in-demand jazz guitarists. He has shared the stage with a diverse range of artists including Ricki Lee Jones, Mavis Staples, Mary Wilson (The Supremes), Tim Ries & Bernard Fowler (The Rolling Stones Band), Vince Jones, Joss Stone, Archie Roach, James Morrison, Paul Grabowsky, Michelle Nicole, Mat Jodrell, Julien Wilson, Jamie Oehlers, Kate Ceberano, Christine Anu, and The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, to name just a few.
Craig has studied in Melbourne with jazz guitar master Doug De Vries, and in New York with jazz legends Jim Hall and John Abercrombie. He has toured Europe 15 times and recorded on over 90 CDs and records. His debut album Machines was rated 9/10 and ranked as the third best Australian jazz release of 2002 by All About Jazz. A Cadence magazine review of Machines states “Fermanis is as strong a modern guitarist as any of the Scofields or Abercrombies.”
Over his 30-year career Craig has performed more than 7,000 gigs at concert halls, festivals, clubs and bars. He was a finalist in both the Wangaratta National Jazz Awards and the James Morrison Jazz Scholarship.
“One of the most gifted young guitarists I have had the pleasure to teach.” Jim Hall


Australian born trumpeter Toby Mak is best known as an in-demand sideman and jazz soloist. He is based in Shanghai, China and has worked with great artists from all over the world in a wide variety of genres. Playing trumpet from the age of ten, Mak was mentored throughout his highschool years by Motown legend Gil Askey. He has received 3 GMA nominations, two for "Best Jazz Album".  
 

$30/25 concession.  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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Hobart-based guitarist & composer Jamie Pregnell has performed in and around Australia including Sydney, Canberra, Hobart and Melbourne
Jamie attended both the Banff Creative Music workshop in Banff Canada and the Siena International Jazz Workshop and in 2017 he received an Australia Art Council personal development grant to study with Australian jazz great James Muller.

Jamie recorded his first album “Sleepy Town” in 2020 along side Julien Wilson on Sax, Sam Anning on Bass and Ben Vanderwal on drums featuring all original compositions.

In 2023 Jamie reunited with the same lineup for his new album “All Ears”.

HIs band will perform originals from “Al Ears” and new compositions.

Band:
Jamie Pregnell – guitar
Kade Brown – piano
Sam Anning – Bass
Dave beck – Drums
Album:

Tix $25/20 concession -  cash entry - cards fine at the bar

bookings please email us - uptownjazzcafe@email.com

 

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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.

2 sets from 8.30pm

 

$30/25 concession.  cash on entry/cards fine at the bar - doors open 7.30, music from 8pm. Seats still available.

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

One of the most in-demand drummers of the Australian music scene, Dave Beck is a first call session player, theatre pit musician and Jazz ensemble member.

Dave has honed his drumming skills in New York and L.A. and has had the privilege of playing for several top name national and international talents of our times including Lalah Hathaway, Archie Roach, KD Lang, Ben Folds, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ricky Lee Jones, Dan Sultan, Renee Gayer, Glen Shorrock, Hugh Jackman and Suze DeMarchi. When he's not providing key percussive soundscapes for smash-hit musical theatre shows (Hamilton, Moulin Rouge, Book of Mormon, Wicked), he's often found recording and playing with local and international jazz legends including Joe Lovano, Steve Swallow, Carla Bley, Robert Hurst, Dale Barlow, James Morrison, Linda Oh, Stephen Magnusson, Scott Tinkler and Paul Grabowsky.

This Saturday Dave is wrapped to play with long time collaborators playing swinging tunes and grooves, featuring -

Mat Jodrell - trumpet
Grant Windsor - piano
Sam Anning - double bass
Dave Beck - drums

Tix $35/30 concession -  cash entry - cards fine at the bar

Doors open 7.30, music from 8pm.

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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

Doors open at 7:30pm for 8pm start.


 

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

The incredible New York ex-pat guitarist Hugh Stuckey holds sway this Friday, playing his mix of swinging jazz standards in the classic guitar trio format

Originally from Adelaide, Hugh has become an in-demand player on the Melbourne scene and has earned the respect and luv of his peers and audiences alike. Finalist in the National Jazz Awards at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival, he also supported the John Scofield Quartet at the Adelaide guitar Festival last year to rave reviews.

Highly recommended.


with -

Sam Anning - double bass
Danny Fischer - drums

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bookings - email uptownjazzcafe@email.com




 all entry fees are ex gst