Chalk and cheese

I had two further outings on Sunday and they were mightily diverse. First up was another visit to the jam session at Smiths. It's a comfy time to go out for a beer and a blow. I played a few tunes, poorly, and enjoyed the sun while avoiding the frigid wind. The blow happens outside, under the arches of the Melbourne Building, opposite Jolimont. There's a disparate but interesting crew ensconced, even someone drawing, a common outing in jazz clubs in NYC. How apt. Musos were coming for a gig at 4pm, so Wayne K got called up for a few tunes. All fun. Then 4pm and I thought I could manage a few minutes, with luck, at Wesley for the Hymnfest. It's organised by the RSCM (Royal School of Church Music). Some of the greatest of music is religious so I can enjoy hymns. I enjoyed the singing well enough and managed 30 minutes before it ended, but the hymns were modern and modern religious arts just don't do it for me - syrupy, overt, simple (in case you've never visited it, the Vatican museum's modern art collection is just further evidence). None-the-less, I enjoyed a sing, even if only written as unison, and there were some decent singers and a capable organ accompaniment. But let's face it, this had nothing on Handel.

The jazz jam is weekly on Sundays ~2-4pm at Smiths. The RSCM Hymnfest recurs. This one was at Wesley Church.

Mulling on jamming

All of a sudden there seem to be jazz jams around. I'm mulling this at the moment. Why, the multiple jam sessions when the performance scene is otherwise so dilapidated. The ructions at the jazz school reduced the numbers of students around town; the regular touring bands have mostly disappeared; the lively jazz experimentation seems lacking or maybe it's underground. But we have these jazz jams. There's still a desire to play with others and to find colleagues. Maybe it's the disruptions that lead to this scene. Whatever, I attended the Smiths Sunday session to find a great host band and a few sitters in. A comfy scene, good music and some obvious appreciation from the non-jazz followers. So worthy, entertaining and enjoyable. Keep it up.

The host band at Smiths Sunday session was Josh Buckler (tenor, convenor), Hugh Barrett (piano), Barney Briggs (bass) and Mark Levers (drums). Sitins were Andrew Howard (drums), Mitch Preston (drums) and Eric Pozza (bass).

Apricot?

A new jazz jam session for Canberra. I have known of Sunday Sessions at Smiths for some time, but they've recently been taken over by jazz jammers. It was run short for another event this weekend, but I got there for an hour. These were some very good players. Hugh Barrett, convenor Josh Buckler, Jason Henderson and Mark Levers. Sitting in we Suhasini Sumithra, Andrew Howard and Eric Pozza. Mark likes it hot, so there was some pace here, not least Stella with stellar effort. Otherwise, standards like Black Orpheus, Footprints, There will never be another you, Beatrice, blues. Not surprising the playing was nice: Hugh plays sequences through dissonance with ease; Jason is an army reserve player, big chops and well versed; Josh is quick and clever in his lines and melodicism; Mark was just driving it hard; Sumi sang a lovely Manhã de Carnaval / Day in the life of a fool / Black Orpheus. Nice company and good fun all round. I got to play Beatrice and Stella on speed. Thanks, great fun.

The Sunday Session at Smiths featured host band Josh Buckler (tenor, convenor), Hugh Barrett (piano), Jason Henderson (bass) and Mark Levers (drums). Sitins were Suhasini Sumithra (vocals), Andrew Howard (drums) and Eric Pozza (bass).