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Ann and Kevin will be appearing at Open Studio, Northcote on:

Sat 18 April 2015, 5-7pm

Sat 25 April 2015, 5-7pm

 

A feature of the Inverloch Jazz Festival has been the Picnic in the Glade on the Monday following the weekend festival.

Jazz Notes was one of the five bands to play at the Picnic and we were fronted by Chris Le Bon. We first met Chris three years ago, when he joined some of the Melbourne Music Performers at a monthly Soirée Musique.

Chris brought his Parisian sounds and debonair style to the Picnic.

Chris Le Bon (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Daniel Pickard (bass)
Alan Richards (drums)

 

Photographs by Marion Blazé
Mon, 9 March 2015

 

Our first set was on Saturday evening. Allan Smith had already advised us that he was double booked so we had organised another drummer – or so we thought!

Technology failed us and the final message didn’t get through so, when we arrived, we had no drummer.

Worry not! The sound man, Andy Rowe, told us that he played drums – so he did! But there were some challenging moments, especially for Daniel.

Wade Morgan’s first set at the Festival and he acquitted himself well, overcoming the nerves to put in a very good performance.

 

Wade Morgan (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Daniel Pickard (bass)
Andy Rowe (drums

 

Photographs by Neville Sampson and Marion Blazé
Sat, 7 March 2015

 

 

 

A couple of months ago, we learned of Wade Morgan and had him along to Soirée Musique in January.

The Inverloch Jazz Festival will see Wade’s debut with us:

Saturday 5-6pm, Stadium
Sunday 9-10pm, Warrawee

The Grampians Jazz Festival 2015 saw Ann & Kevin playing as ‘The Ann Craig Duo’ (we played under ‘Jazz Notes’ with Pippa Wilson).

The Duo’s first set was early in the programming and the room was filled for what was described as ‘Gentle Jazz’. In fact, we covered jazz, pop, classical, folk, … .

Although one the photographs might suggest some tension, it was ALL light-hearted and the audience joined in the fun.

We were quite overwhelmed by the response. Many people returned for our second set and some followed us in our other bands.
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Photographs by Marion Blazé

Fri, 13 February 2015 and Sat, 14 February 2015

 

It was hot! And not just the weather.

Pippa Wilson (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Andrew Eames (bass)
Rob Mercer (drums)

Photographs by Marion Blazé
13-15 Feb 2015

 

Jazz Notes started the New Year with a debut performance at Ruby’s Music Room.

This is a nice venue with good sound so we hope to return there soon.

 

Ann Craig (flute)

Kevin Blazé (guitar)

Andrew Eames (bass)

 

Photographs by Marion Blazé

Thursday, 1 January 2015

 

We didn’t know it, at the time, but this was our last event at The Treble Clef.

A few days later, it was announced that The Treble Clef would be closing for a year or so, while Damon, Bernie and Chris take a break and seek a larger venue. Our thanks to them for supporting us and live music generally and best wishes for the future.

Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)

 

Photographs by Marion Blazé

Sunday, 14 December 2014

 

A large audience was present for this double-bill event:

• Sevil Sabah with Jazz Notes
• Roger Clark Quartet with Annie Smith

We weren’t quite sure how things would run but they did: a night of almost uninterrupted music, with two sets from each band.

Roger and Rory also joined Jazz Notes as we backed Sevil Sabah in ‘Autumn Leaves’.

Thanks to everyone who came – even one fan from Canada!

We hope to do it again in 2015.

 

Sevil Sabah (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Daniel Pickard (bass)
Tom Doublier (drums)

Annie Smith (vocals)
Roger Clark (saxophone)
Rory Clark (piano)
Paige Smith (bass)
Allan Smith (drums)

Photographs by Marion Blazé

Tuesday, 25 November 2014

 

It was a quick dash to Somerville after work on Friday.

A beautiful spring evening playing at Vesbar – clearly a popular gathering place for groups of friends.

Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)

 

Photographs by Marion Blazé

Friday, 21 November 2014

 

It seems that Kevin’s flute-playing will advance very slowly: this was the first ‘real’ lesson and lasted at least 5 minutes. The good news is that sounds were heard, at last. In fact, there might have been a bit of a duet.

Prior to this, there were the rather more familiar flute and guitar sounds. Thanks to all who came along.

 

Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)

Photographs by Marion Blazé

Sunday, 9 November 2014

 

 

This event drew together several musical contacts.

It’s been some years since Kevin backed Buddy, so he was pleased to renew the musical acquaintance of Buddy Love. Buddy’s singing style is reminiscent of Vince Jones and Chet Baker, two of Kevin’s favourite male singers.

Ann (flute) has recently recorded with Buddy for his upcoming CD.

Kevin and Jess (bass) had played together at the Castlemaine Jazz Festival, a few months ago. And Spike (drums) came to the notice of Kevin and Ann at one of the events of the Melbourne Music Performers.

It was our first time at The Famous Blue Raincoat, a really nice venue where we were well looked after by James, Vanessa and Holly.

Unfortunately, the venue is changing hands and live music might not be in the future plans.

Buddy Love (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Jess Wood (bass)
Spike Kiernan (drums)

Photographs by Saraid.

Saturday, 1 November 2014

 

It was our third event with Pippa, this year, and they just keep getting better!

On this lovely night, Jazz Notes played to an almost full house and the enthusiasm was palpable.

‘great interaction between Pippa and band.’ (John)
‘… with all of you so obviously having so much fun it took the evening to a new level and place.’ (Barry)
‘As usual thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment … lots of fun and great music’. (Janice)

Pippa’s great fun to work with so we’re hoping to do more with her in 2015.

Pippa Wilson (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Daniel Pickard (bass)
Ron Sandilands (drums)

Photographs by Marion Blazé

Saturday, 25 October 2014

 

The birthday party of Kevin’s long-standing friend, Maurice, was a noisy affair! So much so that few would have heard Sevil. Those who did passed very favourable (and accurate!) comments.

Sevil wasn’t the only singer, that day: Maurice was joined by Neville (various guitars, piano, ukulele) and Kevin (guitar) for a few songs and then joined by others in some of the vocals.

Sevil Sabah (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Daniel Pickard (bass)

Photographs by Marion Blazé

Saturday, 25 October 2014

 

Thanks to Roger Clark for inviting us to play at his iconic jazz club.

For Sevil and Daniel, it was their first time at Dizzy’s and Sevil sang up a storm, under the watchful eye of Dizzy, himself.

Daniel, recently arrived from Newcastle, claimed it to be his first gig at a real jazz club in Melbourne. Not so Ann, who’s had several recent appearances at Dizzy’s (with one of her other bands!).

Some of us played with Monique at the recent Castlemaine Jazz Festival so we were very pleased that she joined us at Dizzy’s.

Sevil’s jazz career was nurtured by pianist, Ted Woollan, who made a guest appearance to accompany Sevil in a couple of songs. Similarly, Kevin began under the guidance of Colin Garrett and his presence on this night was a delightful surprise.

Sevil Sabah (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Daniel Pickard (bass)
Monique Zucco (drums)

Photographs by Marion Blazé

Thursday, 9 October 2014