Pippa Wilson and Friends
Caught In The Act!
Rick Correnza with Jazz Notes
We’re heading to Port Fairy in 2027
Author: admin
Merimbula Jazz Festival 2026
Who’d have thought you could squeeze so much awesome music and fun into just 2 days: 8 sets with 6 of those on Sunday! (we really know how to have fun).
It was a great weekend of jazz with delightful weather every day. The venues were well prepared with excellent sound techs allocated to each venue. The volunteers were so helpful and the organizers did a fantastic job keeping the program exciting and the bands to time.
We played at some terrific venues: Merimbula RSL – Maple Leaf and Function Rooms, Lakeview Hotel, Twyford Hall and in the very cute and intimate Dulcie’s Cottage.
‘I repeat my love of your soft haunting music. Love those Latin tragic chords. And imho, you are my favourite band of the festival. Saw you both times , first time by chance – your music really touched my heart.‘ Thank you, Lawrence.
Pippa Wilson and Friends
As always, we were thrilled to back Pippa Wilson. This was Jazz Notes second time at Merimbula with Pippa and we were joined by Larry Kean (drums) and Doug Kuhn (double bass). With excellent crowds and a great vibe, our two sets were amazing. As an added bonus, these sets were a great leadup to our Knox Concert Series later in July this year and Seniors’ Week at the Australian Jazz Museum.
Jazz Notes Duo
We performed two sets (back to back) in the beautiful Dulcie’s Cottage. It was the perfect setting for Ann and Kevin. The audience feels part of the ensemble. And having a 2-hour time slot was a great chance for many audience to hear the magic that happens when flute and guitar get together. George and Don were certainly onto something back in the day – Ann & Kevin are pleased to be continuing in that tradition.
Ann Craig – flutes, Kevin Blazé – guitar
Flute, Vibes and 2 Gits
Unique sounds with Marek showing his style on the vibes. The only vibes player at the festival and we had a good audience at both of our sets.
Ann Craig – flutes & percussion, Kevin Blazé – guitar, Frank Morgan – bass, Marek Podstawek – vibes & percussion
Caught In The Act! – Round Midnight
Unfortunately Malcolm and Ashley couldn’t make the trip this year but we still played some great repertoire. One lovely young man came and said “imho, you were the best band in the festival!”. Ann became the only jazz musician at the festival playing the picocolo and we think the alto flute, as well as her usual flute. So for our instrumental bands a few firsts!
Ann Craig – flute, alto flute, piccolo, Kevin Blazé – guitar, Frank Morgan – bass, Marek Podstawek – drums & percussion
Other bands
Between sets we managed to catch a few other bands:
• ‘SWonderful
• In2Deep
• In Full Swing
• Jazz Lauvers
• Kooky Fandango
• Triple Exposure
Jazz In The Park 2025 – Warrandyte
We thrilled to be playing again at Jazz In The Park on Sun 16 Nov 2025 – presented by Community Music and Performances Inc.
There’ll be a few Latin-jazz instrumentals from Caught In The Act! followed by some swing with Stuart Cardell. And we might even ramp it up a bit at the end.
Ann Craig – flute
Ashley Thomas – saxophone
Kevin Blazé – guitar
Malcolm Hornby – keyboard
Frank Morgan – bass
Marek Podstawek – drums
and
Stuart Cardell – vocals
Get the full program and all event info
Stuart Cardell with Jazz Notes at the Inverloch Jazz Festival 2025
Two sets at the Festival. The first with Stuart backed by flute, guitar, bass and drums; the second set adding sax and keys.
Stuart Cardell – vocals; Ann Craig – flute/percussion; Ashley Thomas – sax/clarinet; Kevin Blaze – guitar; Malcolm Hornby – keys; Frank Morgan – bass; Marek Podstawek – drums/percussion
Ladies Be Good at the Inverloch Jazz Festival 2025
Jan Blake
Ann Craig
Ashley Thomas
Emily Johnson
Lisette Payet
Holly Brick
Sue Haylock
‘Fandango’ video released
Jazz Notes–Caught In The Act! is thrilled to release our video of ‘Fandango’, the opening track from our album Pretty Eyes (2023).
Written by Juan Carlos Calderón and made famous by Herb Alpert (1982), we’ve put our own high-energy spin on this Latin jazz classic!
From our CD/USB drive, Pretty Eyes, available here.
Ladies Be Good at the Phillip Island Jazz Club
Coming to the Phillip Island Jazz Club
Sunday 20 April 2025, 2:00-4:30pm.
Phillip Island Bowls Club
40 Dunsmore Rd, Cowes VIC 3922
Jazz Notes with Stuart Cardell at the Ballarat Jazz Club
Sun 20 July 2025
1:00-4:00pm
Stuart Cardell – vocals
Ann Craig – flutes
Ashley Thomas – clarinet/saxophone
Kevin Blazé – guitar
Malcolm Hornby – keyboard
Frank Morgan – bass
Marek Podstawek – drums
Ballarat Golf Club
Sturt St, Alfredton 3350
Whitehorse Winter Concert Series
The Whitehorse Winter Concert Series of Sunday Serenades features music from the movies, jazz and light classics:
- Sun 1 June 2025. Bob Sedergreen and Friends. A life in jazz.
- Sun 15 June 2025. Pippa Wilson with Jazz Notes. Songs from the movies.
- Sun 29 June 2025. Concordia Mandolin and Guitar Ensemble. Vivaldi, Elgar, Beatles and more
Concerts start at 2:00 and end at 4:30pm, to give you time to get home before dark.
At each concert, there’ll be time to chat with the musicians.
Mitcham Bowling Club has ample parking and is fully accessible. Drinks and snacks will be available.
Tickets $20 each or $45 for all three concerts.
https://trybooking.com/CZIYK
Port Fairy Jazz Festival 2025
Jazz Notes (in various guises) attended the Port Fairy Jazz Festival 2025.
We were thrilled to be invited to again host the Open Mic session as the House Cats. This event is to expecially encourage those who are not on the Festival’s program to ‘have a go’. And they did!
Pippa Wilson is a Festival favourite and we always love backing her.
Caught In The Act! is our Latin band and saw Marek Podstawek take to the drums with us, driving the rhythms.
Ann & Kevin are the heart of Jazz Notes. Although we play together frequently (every week at McAdams Wine Bar, Croydon!), it’s always special.
Jazz Thursdays
Since 2023, Ann & Kevin have presented Jazz Thursdays at McAdams Wine Bar, playing jazz, bossa nova and popular songs in a chamber jazz style. And, of course, they take requests.
From time to time, they are joined by vocalists and other instrumentalists.
With a great vibe, excellent wines and beers, along with tapas, you can make this a night out.
Dance, have a quiet chat or just enjoy the music. Support this cool, trendy wine bar and the owners who continue to support musicians and LIVE music.
And… entry is still FREE!
Every Thursday, 7:30-10:00pm
McAdams Wine Bar
Upstairs at 48 McAdam Square, Croydon 3136
Ladies Be Good at the Inverloch Jazz Club
Coming to the Inverloch Jazz Club on Sunday 3 November 2024.
Inverloch RSL Sub Branch
15 Bolding Place
Inverloch 3996
Jazz In The Park 2024
Jazz In The Park will be returning to Stiggants Reserve, Warrandyte on Sun 17 November 2024, 1:45-8:00pm.
Featuring:
DR Big Band
Simple Syncopation
Shirazz
Bob Sedergreen and friends
Jazz Notes
Pippa Wilson
Stuart Cardell
And there’ll be Youth Spotlight Acts.
Food, coffee, wine and beer will be served by local businesses.
Details of the bands and programme are on the CMaP site
Caught In The Act! at the Inverloch Jazz Festival 2024
Two great sets at the Inverloch Jazz Festival 2024. The audiences loved the diversity of music, interesting arrangements and the fun interplay between the band members.
Thanks to the very appreciative audience. We were thrilled with the feedback.
Ann Craig – flute/percussion; Ashley Thomas – sax/clarinet; Kevin Blaze – guitar; Malcolm Hornby – keys; Frank Morgan – bass; Marek Podstawek – drums/percussion
Ladies Be Good at the Inverloch Jazz Festival 2024
Ann & Ashley from CITA moonlighting with some of friends in Ladies Be Good! They presented two lovely sets in the RSL.
All looked great, sounded fantastic and lived up to their reputation. Nice work, Ladies!
Jan Blake – vocals
Ann Craig – flute/percussion
Ashley Thomas – alto & baritone sax
Emily Johnson – trumpet/flugelhorn
Lisette Payet – piano
Holly Brick – bass
Sue Haylock – drums