Jazz Uncovered

We done it!

Jazz Uncovered was billed as our Canberra showcase of modern jazz, an inaugural feast of modern music on multiple stages. And it turned out a treat. We raised $3,000 for our charity Wellwishers; we entertained several hundred people; we introduced 25 bands over 4 stages to these listeners; we sponsored lots of original or inventive music of one type or another. It was a lot of work, and I was busy throughout the day, recording and photographing and generally being a Committee busy bee, as well as a roadie before and after the event. We promoted widely, with several interviews on ArtSound, a 20-min interview on ABC666, mentions on ABCFM Jazztrack, and several articles in the Canberra Times. We got sponsorship from some great local companies, ActewAGL and Capital Chemists, as well as several smaller outfits: Acoustic Path, Infidel Studios, Spectrum Graphics and others. Thanks also to Kev Austin and George Pass of Active Clear Sound and Bill Arnett of the Folkus Room. We were broadcast live for 5 hours on ArtSound, and have provided hours of further concert programming to promote the bands both here in Canberra, throughout Australia, and maybe in Europe. We gave a lucky dip to the Luke Sweeting Trio for a 10-hour recording session, courtesy of Duncan Lowe at Infidel Studios. And at the end of the day we all relaxed together for a great concert by Australian internationals, Wanderlust.

But most of all we thank our musicians. They performed with skill and commitment, and they are a big part of our gift to some Ethiopian village (the Wellwishers charity funds wells to be dug in poor villages in Ethiopia, saving hours of daily walking by the women of the village, and better health and education).

I was too busy to provide reports on all the bands. I caught a snippet of all, but settled into none but Wanderlust. Pics will have to suffice for this one, but I invite comments on the various photo-reports. Congrats to my fellow Committee members, and thanks to the bands and the supporters and the sponsors and the audience. And for the record, we fully expect to do it all again next year.

http://jazzuncovered.net

Launching a festival (Moruya 2)

Moruya was also where we announced a new festival of modern jazz for Canberra. The name is not finalised (due to a misunderstanding with the ABC, no less), but the date is Saturday 4 April, and there will be bands on two stages at the Folkus Room from 12noon – 12 midnight. Performance is by invitation, and we are seeking interesting and original offers: original compositions, special performances like replaying renowned albums, retrospectives of famous performers, cross-genre styles like NuJazz, jazz-poetry, breakbeats, that sort of thing. We are seeking something with a theme, or a hook, rather than standards, although no doubt there will be some standards there, too. Get your manuscript and pencils together and make us an offer. We have 4 bands so far, and support of the Jazz School. We are planning for up to 20 bands over 12 hours.

The Folkus Room is comfortable. It’s well located with good parking. There’s food and drink, and places to escape the noise for a while. There are 2 rooms and good PAs. ArtSound’s onside, and is likely to be recording and perhaps broadcasting. Even ABC’s DigJazz Internet Radio is supportive.

The festival is also a charity event. We aim to raise $7K to donate to Wellwishers. Wellwishers is a charity that digs wells for poor villages in dry and poor Ethiopia. $7K will pay for one well to be dug, and change the lives of the people of one village. Help us out by volunteering to play or to assist in other ways. It’s a great cause, and it will be a fascinating day of jazz. Any surplus will go to the performers.

The Committee is Cameron Smith, Courtney Stark, Brenton Homes and Eric Pozza. CJ will advise more soon (when we finalise a name). In the meantime, you can contact the Committee through CJ.

We have also learnt that guys from ADFA are organising a more mainstream jazz festival (the National Capital Jazz Festival) for late November 2009 with the expectation of it being annual. The two festivals will be working together. So that means, an annual modern jazz weekend in April each year, and a full blown mainstream festival in November each year. Exciting! Keep your eyes on CJ and join the CJ Group on Facebook to hear more.

Wellwishers