An end of an era

It's sad to see a venue disappear for jazz but it's not the first.  Venues change musics for business reasons or they are supplanted in a style or activity by another venue and they may or may not return to jazz sometime in the future and jazz just survives through it all.  Jazz goes through changes, not always comfortable but it's not extinguished.  The ANU ructions of a few years back is the big example.  The venue changes is just another smaller one.  Sadly, we saw the last of the jam sessions at Old Canberra Inn last night and it was entertaining and fun and cold (being outside on a suddenly chilly December evening).  But then I remember jazz there decades back, so maybe there's a return sometime in the future and it was pleasant.  A few beers and a too-big hamburger.  A very nice bass with good sound and nicely easy to play (thanks to Ben).  A chance to check out Evah Pirazzi.  Thanks to Ben, Peter, Simon, me and Jeremy for the bottom end and a string of players and singers of all manner otherwise and some chats to pass the time.  This is a sad loss but there are alternatives and jazz survives.  After all, it's not even the only jam session in Canberra on a Wednesday night.  And to OCI, thanks for the memories.

Thanks to Ben O'Loghlin for the long history of this jam series and this specific monster jam at our lovely, historical Old Canberra Inn.  Thanks to Sophia for the final pic.

Double shot

It was the opening night for Smiths Alt upstairs and I was interested.  But a quick look at NPC had Rafael Jergen in town playing with Greg Stott and Mark Sutton.  I caught the first set, all standards as is the style of NPC Fridays, and an awe-inspiring set all round.  Of course from Raf, who studied in Canberra, then in Luzern and now teaches at the HSLU Hochschule Luzern.  A story of commitment and the outcome is evident.  Wonderful playing.  Quick and correct but also relaxed and responsive.  So good.  Nice to see Mark back from the coast for some gigs, too.  Both he and Greg played effective and communicative solos, playful to Raf's ever-wide smile.  (OK, so I caught them in a moment of concentration!).  And I met Raf's family.  These visits for so many overseas-based players are family visits with some gigs thrown in.  Since COVID and those imposed music school antics, we haven't had the visiting players as before, so glad to see any and especially Raf.  Then a quick visit to Smiths upstairs.  It's been on the agenda for some time and now established.  Two decent rooms and a balcony upstairs.  One room is smaller with bar, upright piano and electric organ and a comfy hangout atmosphere.  The band on the opening night was Leisa Nicole (organ), Stephen Richards (drums) and Ben O'Loghlin (guitar).  Lovely tunes, organ tones, left hand organ bass.  The other room is more an upstairs concert-cum-events space, larger, with a stage, a grand piano (!), a pipe organ (?) and a small but decent PA.  It's early days yet, not too much furniture (despite a string of pianos throughout), but it bodes well for an extension of Nigel and Beth's lovely, laid-back and inviting, exploratory and bohemian atmosphere.

Rafael Jergen (bass) performed with Greg Stott (guitar) and Mark Sutton (drums) at the National Press Club.  Leisa Nicole (organ), Stephen Richards (drums) and Ben O'Loghlin (guitar) performed upstairs at Smiths.

Night off

It was my Wednesday night off so off to OCI for a beer and chat and jam. Wayne, Ben and Mark S have been running this now for several years and it's quite a scene. On a cold winter's night, it's cosy in the genuine old slab hut pub, the beers are good and the gastropub food is on. But most interesting is the playing. Hugh sat in for Wayne this night. Either way, this is a hot and supremely capable and swinging band. The tunes are standards and jazz tunes, but there's no tiresome commonness here. They are great musos and play with invention and communication. A huge pleasure. Hugh and Wayne are different styles, but equally capable. Ben was just a master last night, soloing on German bow or pizz, all the time interesting, melodic, phrased rather than scaled. And Mark is always sparkling. And it's a welcoming gig with Ben knowing everyone on the scene and always inviting anyone to play. Peter played with Mark L and Hugh, then Tim; I played with Tim and Hugh then Brendan (using Peter's 5-string NS with high-C, then Ben's bass); Tim played with Alec and Hugh. Maybe others? All manner of tunes from various fake books, mostly memorised. I particularly noticed some fine jazz tunes from the house band, not least Moment's notice. The beers was good and the scene busy and the room warm. It's a great night out for musos and mates. If you're free on a Wednesday, 6.30-9.30pm.

Hugh Barrett (piano), Ben O'Loghlin (bass) and Mark Sutton (drums) were the host band at the OCI jam session. Siti-ins included Mark Levers and Tim Butler (drums), Brendan O'Loghlin (piano), Peter Barta, Alec Coulson and Eric Pozza (bass).

Jazz Club'n'it

We tend to forget that jazz was once the popular music of its day. We went to a Canberra Jazz Club event at the Southern Cross Club at Jamison and you almost felt it still is. Terry Wynn was playing with the Wayne Kelly Trio and guest vocals Angela Lount and the dancers were up and the kids were running around and the swing dancers were at a near table with their natty period outfits and it was busy. The place was swinging. The brackets featured a few bebop instrumentals, there was at least one original, this time from Ben, the swinging standards had everyone in a good mood and at least a few couples were always up on the dance floor. How different from the cerebral sobriety of much contemporary jazz. I love that, of course, but this is music for people, clever and well played, and also for entertainment. So, a different side of jazz and well enjoyed and the beer's on tap, too.

Terry Wynn (sax, clarinet) played with the Wayne Kelly trio, comprising Wayne Kelly (piano), Ben O'Loghlin (bass) and Mark Sutton (drums) and Angela Lount (vocals) was out front.

Collectives

A contagion of basses sounds about right. Whoever arrives at the weekly OCI jam session is a matter of conjecture. This week it was 4 (four!) bassists, along with 2xdrums and one each of guitar, trom, vocals. I got one tune - fair enough given some dithering over a beer. On the other hand, it was particularly interesting to hear so many bassists in one outing. The bass sound was not so big and fat this night: more edgy and toppy, sharing an amp with the piano, but fun nonetheless. I played Recordame, and others did various songs with Rachel Thorne (a great local singer) and Stella and Blue bossa and others. The imports were Sam Dobson, ex-Sydney Con playing with Geoff Bull, Cope Street Parade and others: nicely relaxed, easy-going, on top of the charts. Paddy Fitzgerald, student at Monash, nicely intoned thumb positions and good choppy solos, playing with fellow student guitarist Harry Tinney. And the locals: Alec Coulson with a nice take on Blue bossa and me, on Recordame. Moving Paths had turned up, too (including Max, bassist #5) but too early to jam; they left to play Hippo. The band this night was Ben, Hugh and Steve.

The Old Canberra Inn jam session was hosted this week by Ben O'Loghlin (bass), Hugh Barrett (piano) and Steve Richards (drums). Sit-ins included Sam Bolton, Alec Coulson, Paddy Fitzgerald and Eric Pozza (basses), Harry Tinny (guitar), Mark Levers (drums) and Rachel Thorne (vocals).

Ripping up the place

I was amused at a comment about deconstructing the place. Someone had taken down a pot plant for better sightlines, then he'd responsibly replaced it at the end of the night. The jazz scene is like this. Likeable people who study complex things that pay little for arts-sake with a relaxed dress sense. Like one player who's in Canberra for his Philosophy PhD at ANU on a topic somewhere in Ethics. It's a quiet time for musos after the rush of Christmas. A few are back home to visit rellies: Aidan Lowe was back from Berlin for a time. Otherwise, it's good times and good beers and some excellent music. Hugh Barrett was filling in for Wayne Kelly; Aidan Lowe for Mark Sutton; Ben O'Loghlin was coordinator, calling in various players for the second, jam set. Ben Marston, Tom Fell, Steve Richards, some others. The tunes for the first set were less the obvious blow numbers - Blue in green, Nica's dream and the like. The jam set was more commonly known tunes, starting with Stella then Blue bossa. I got a go on Alone together then Blue Monk. The playing was excellent all round. Aidan's playing a storm, if lamenting his kit that's sat in a shed the last year (fair enough). Hugh smoothed through various harmony colours with extensions or substitutions or whatever and laid down sweet, unassuming solo lines: all the piano's role and done with great skill. Ben O'L floored me, interesting and varied, right on top of the beat and driving with a firm, full sound. Then the horns, Ben M and Tom, soloing nicely, spelling heads with ease but also harmonising melodies and accompaniments to hint at arrangements. Tom commented it's a great lineup for that (rhythm section plus sax and trumpet), but no surprise there, it's the quntessential bop-modern lineup. The last tune was a raging Rhythm changes: so much for deconstruction, this was ripping up the place in a more positive light. And there were chats and beers as jazz is. Much enjoyed. Thanks to all.

Ben O'Loghlin (bass), Hugh Barrett (piano) and Aidan Lowe (drums) were the support band for the jazz jam at Old Canberra Inn. Tom Fell (sax), Ben Marston (trumpet), Steve Richards (drums), Eric Pozza (bass) and others sat in. The OCI jazz jam is at Old Canberra Inn, every Wednesday, 6.30-9pm, free entry, good beers on tap.

Finally

Finally I get to Tilley's for the Wayne Kelly Trio residency. Wayne, Ben and Mark have been doing this since at least last Christmas and let's hope it continues. It's sometime since I've gone to Tilley's, too. It's renowned (and in some conservative sectors, denigrated) with a history dating back to Whitlam, but it's obviously quite a local institution on the north side. Lots of families for dinner, relaxed, plenty of tables, dark with bright lights shining off glossy russet surfaces, big central stage and real PA system. I remember it in its first incarnation before the extension over the whole corner and the glory time of visiting international acts like Mike Stern, Dave Weckl, Canned Heat, Jose Feliciano, Janis Ian and Kurt Elling as well as the cream of big Aussie names. It's a great venue, but still used for our local heavies, Wayne and co. They were great; playing a calm storm. This night Mike Price sat in. Next week, Wayne's Trio is recording with a string of friends. The volume is not too high; the food and drinks and chat continues but there's also an obvious respect and even the non-jazzers look on with interest. And the balance and space is good for listening, even with the ongoing cafe life. They played standards repertoire but also some winner originals. Ben was playing a storm. They say one way to get husband and wife talking is to start a bass solo. No need here, these were worth the listen. Wayne's authoritative at all times; Mark, too. Mike was out front, shredding clear jazzer lines. My choice was hard: cassoulet or beef and porter pie. How's that for life on the north side? Great.

Wayne Kelly (piano), Ben O'Loghlin (bass) and Mark Sutton (drums) play each Saturday night at Tilley's. Mike Price (guitar) sat in for several tunes.

More Smalls

I've commented before that Wayne Kelly's Trio leading a Wednesday night jam session at the Old Canberra Inn is our local Smalls. I got there last Wednesday. It was cold, cold outside but snug inside with wood fires behind glass and the unexpected warmth of a slab hut, no doubt sealed against drafts. So the venue was hot, good for boutique beers, and the music was too. The band was Wayne, Ben and Mark. The sitins were three drummers, one bass, one trumpet, one piano, one vocal. The piano and vocal were a pair who play Cuban music locally, so we got some great, infectious latin grooves. This really is something special. Elizabeth and Jonathan play in the local band, Clavemania, most recently at Vivaldi. Matthew was the trumpet, a local boy now student at the James Morrison Academy in Mount Gambier. Very nice playing, not least on Joy Spring. The drummers were Ken, Mitch and Andrew. I got to play bass on three favourites: Caravan, Alone together and All blues, mostly with Wayne and a variety of drummers and Matthew. Good fun and nice to play Ben's German trade bass.

But a further Smalls matter has also taken some recently. I thought the Smalls online feed was shut, but no, it's free with registration for live shows and charged for the historical collection. Three sessions each night, 7.30am-4am NYC time, about 10am-6pm AEST. Neat. Two bands then a jam session. Funny thing, over a few days I saw both Ari Hoenig and Joe Farnsworth, two renowned NYC drummers who visited Canberra in just the last few weeks. Small world; Smalls and the world; our small Smalls.

Wayne Kelly (piano), Ben O'Loghlin (bass) and Mark Sutton (drums) lead the weekly jam session at Old Canberra Inn, 7-9pm Wednesdays. Sitins this evening were Matthew Nicholls (trumpet), Andrew Howard, Ken Nosworthy and Mitch Preston (drums), Elizabeth Obando Paz (vocals), Jonathan Cohen (piano) and Eric Pozza (bass).

Smalls NYC live stream

Be there or be square

Wayne, Ben and Mark have got a great little gig going at the Old Canberra Inn: mid-week, very good beers and food, a comfortable early evening timeslot, a great first set by the trio, some of the best players in town, and the chance for sit-ins. It's a jazz jam in the long-serving tradition. This night was surprisingly busy in the garden outside but fairly quiet inside. Not that this is passing judgement on the music for I felt it was still well appreciated and, although the general public may not follow jazz, they can recognise commitment and chops when they see and hear it. I got there this week but I've been there too infrequently. Brendan O'Loghlin was there but didn't play this time; Julian Fung was there and did; I had a play. This week, Mark was replaced by Aidan Lowe, visiting from Berlin and playing a storm. It was great to listen and a pleasure and challenge to play with these cats. As I remember, my tunes were Alone together, a blues, Have you met Miss Jones and Stella, the last with Julian sitting in. Julian carried on with Beatrice and Out of nowhere and others. The trio had blown Rhythm changes early on, in the form of Dizzy's Salt peanuts, Afternoon in Paris (?), others. Wayne was wonderfully free all round, not least in adding twists and substitutions and vamps and endings. Ben was so firmly toned and inventive in walks, nicely crossing the neck at high positions, often bowing some lovely melodic inventions for solos and just generally sounding fat and solid and newly amplified. Aidan is showing his considerable time in Berlin: more busy, coloured and intense than ever. We're busy these days but support is needed to maintain gigs like this and this is a special one. Thanks to Wayne, Ben, Mark and the OCI for staging this gig and jam and let's hope we can maintain it, despite the depleted jazz scene.

Wayne Kelly (piano), Ben O'Loghlin (bass) and Aidan Lowe (drums) were the host band at the OCI jam. Jammers were Julian Fung (alto) and Eric Pozza (bass).

Jammin'

I don't get there often enough, but I did get to the Wayne Kelly trio gig and jam session at the Old Canberra Inn this last Tuesday. It wasn't hugely busy but it is a Tuesday night and there were tables of people chatting and meeting and enjoying some fabulous playing. I missed Mitch Preston and John Black and Leo Joseph and Angela Lount jamming. I got up for a few tunes to play with Wayne and Alec Brinsmead, whose playing I'd just admired that afternoon at Ainslie Arts Centre. That was fun. We played Alone together, Caravan and Blue Monk. Wayne took some considerable deviations in, I think, Caravan, so we had some odd harmonies to resolve out of. This is the sort of thing I love. I heard of a tour to Adelaide and country towns along the way being planned by Leo and Key Grip. Sounds like much fun. Also of a new residency (Sat nights, 7-9.30, Tilley's) by Wayne's trio. He'll be playing a genuine grand piano there, so worth some frequent visits. And in such a civilised and well fed location, too: it suits them. Also, chats about school, New Orleans, wedding bands, Christopher Pyne (...). Nice; keep it up; attend!

Wayne Kelly (piano) played with Ben O'Loghlin (bass) and Mark Sutton (drums). Jammers included Alec Brinsmead (drums) and Eric Pozza (bass).

It's warm inside

It was deadly cold outside so I didn't expect too many at Old Canberra Inn at Wayne Kelly's monthly jam session. The news that it's warm inside must have spread because it was busy as when I left, and I had to leave early for a double billing at the Gods. This trio is such a pleasure to hear as itself, but there are regular sit-ins as well as the full jam session experience. I was early and got to play with Wayne and Mark and later Ross and other. But it was noisy and busy as I left, Dave Lole was up, and over the night there were plenty of FB messages including one saying Sydney drummer Nick McBride sat in. Seems like a scene is developing here. Totally worthy: these guys are both great players and welcoming hosts.

Wayne Kelly Trio are Wayne Kelly (piano), Ben O'Loghlin (bass) and Mark Sutton (drums). They perform each Tuesday 6.30-8.30pm at Old Canberra Inn; free entry; food and drinks on tap. First Tuesday each month is jam session. Tonight's jammers included Ross Buchanan (piano), David Lole (piano) and Nick McBride (drums).

Our small Smalls

I just dropped through on the way to Hannah at the Gods so I could only stay a short time but Wayne and Ben and Mark are welcoming and this was the monthly jam session night. Wayne's trio started with a ripper. Ross and I thought it was familiar. It turned out to be an original by Ben, a major take on Coltrane's minor Grand Central. Steady and quick and driving. Then I was up with Mark, Jim Fuller and Ross Buchanan for a blues and Stella. Then I rushed to Hannah. Thanks to all. Great fun and cosy on these cold nights. Get along and support this. Our small local Smalls. An open, welcoming local jazz community.

Wayne Kelly (piano) trio with Ben O'Loghlin (bass) and Mark Sutton (drums) perform each Tuesday 6.30-8.30 pm. Free entry; food and drinks on tap. First Tuesday each month is jam session. Tonight's jammers included Jim Fuller (tenor) and Ross Buchanan (piano).

WK3 saving the day

I'm bemoaning the dearth of jazz in town these days, but Wayne Kelly has started up a Tuesday evening session at Old Canberra Inn. Free entry; food and drinks available; a jam session each month. It's great to see such a jazz hangout reappear, and with such great local players. The core band is the reignited Wayne Kelly trio with offsiders Ben O'Loghlin and Mark Sutton. It's a hot and clean trio with plenty of sharp driving solos, some standards singing from Ben, some playful snaps from Mark. It's dark, historical (authentic slab hut construction built 1857, first licensed 1876), comfy and warm in this winter and nicely informal. I caught Wayne's trio playing, then a trio with David Lole and Ben and Mark, then David for some solos, and I got to sit in with Wayne and Mark and David. Great fun and thanks to Ben and the rest.

Wayne Kelly (piano) plays weekly 6.30-8.30 Tuesdays with Ben O'Loghlin (bass, vocals) and Mark Sutton (drums) at the Old Canberra Inn. David Lole (piano) and Eric Pozza (bass) sat in.

BTW, this has special relevance for CJ. This very trio was the first to get a pic and writeup on CJ in Nov 2005.

Calmer than Shanghai

CJ started when I was rediscovering the jazz scene, this time here in Canberra. Some of my first posts were of the Wayne Kelly Trio. I’d first heard Wayne in the 1980s and he impressed me mightily. I drifted off to other interests, but when I returned, Wayne was there playing around town in a wonderful modern trio with capable players – Ben O’Loghlin and Mark Sutton – and was soon to record a CD. Wayne has since been to Macau and Shanghai for 3 years and recently returned. Last night was the first since his return that I’ve heard him playing his non-commercial side, and it’s as satisfying and impressive as ever.

Last night’s trio comprised Wayne with Phill Jenkins and Col Hoorweg. They played both lovely subtle or stretched out versions of Wayne’s original repertoire, including a few new tunes, like the boppy Shanghai taxi driver and a very lovely love song. The bop is the side of Wayne that I know: sometimes lyrical and hard swinging as in his dedication Mr Hank Jones, boppy for the blood-pressure raisers like Shanghai taxi driver and What’s the number, and strains of McCoy Tyner in his King of kings and others. An interesting addition to his repertoire this time around was a love song performed by Angela Lount and Steve Amosa, with male and female verses and a harmonised verse to finish. It had the presence of a musical: the final tender tune that ends a tragedy, like West Side Story’s Somewhere. Touching and quite beautiful; unexpected but much appreciated. Phill and Col did admirable service. Phill always underplays his volume, but he played some nicely challenging ostinatos and some solos that spoke the chords very nicely. Col played with energy and his characteristic varied percussive sounds. I particularly enjoyed a (metal?) pipe that he hit with a stick and damped with his palm. He expanded his palette further for a percussion solo that I found interstingly varied. There were a few sit-ins for the night: singers Angela Lount and Steve Amosa, who I mentioned above, but also Ben O’Loghlin, bassist from the earlier WK Trio. He’s now in Melbourne, and surprisingly still getting out despite very recent parenthood. Ben sat in for two standards, and the old magic was still there: strong sound, driving swings.

It was a small outing but a chummy local get-together, like a house party. Great to see Wayne back in town and I’m still loving his music. Thanks to Wayne. Wayne Kelly (piano) led a trio with Phill Jenkins (bass) and Col Hoorweg (drums). Ben O’Loghlin (bass) sat in for a few tunes, and Angela Lount (vocals) and Steve Amosa (vocals) sang one touching love song.

Cyberhalides Jazz Photos by Brian Stewart

Wayne Kelly Trio

Probably my favourite trio around town - partly due to the playing, partly due to the style. WKT are Wayne Kelly (piano), Ben O'Loghlin (bass) and Mark Sutton (drums). WKT is playing 3-5pm alternate Sundays, at Edgar's Inn in the Ainslie Shops. Today they played some originals, but mostly standards. All in a modern interpretation, with excellent inventiveness and close interaction. Mark is master of the brushes. Wayne is endlessly inventive, and often joking on the keys. Ben is with them all the way, and taking lots of solos in this environment. An education in laid-back intensity. Catch this band!

Wayne Kelly Trio

The Wayne Kelly Trio played at Tossolini's yesterday for the Canberra Jazz Festival. They tell me they have just finished recording a CD. The performance was all original tunes which were obviously well rehearsed for the recording. I found it excellent modern jazz, played in a quiet and relaxed fashion but with great intensity, and with interesting and well-defined lines. Wayne Kelly piano, Ben O'Loghlin bass and Mark Sutton drums. I also like the historical context, eg, post-bop heads of triplets and flat fifths. Paraphrasing Newton, we stand on the shoulders of giants. Congratulations on a terrific performance. Apparently the CD is out in the new year. They play at Hippo's on 30 Nov.

Addendum. I saw them a second time today. My guess is the richness comes from lots of complex extended chords on piano make for the modern sound. But plenty of post-bop lines still in the solos and heads. Great stuff.