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.

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

Urbanlife Community in conjunction with the Maroondah City Council is currently conducting Sunday afternoon Open Sessions during March in a ‘secret’ artspace called ‘The Backyard’.

Risa Kodani fronted Jazz Notes for our session on a lovely autumn afternoon.

Risa Kodani (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Doug Kuhn (bass)

Photos by Marion Blazé

200315

Jazz Notes played the afternoon away at Jenni’s birthday, covering a range of jazz, bossa and pop.

We took a longer break during the speeches to partake in the sumptuous lunch. Thank you, Jenni!

Everybody enjoyed the music. You guys made the whole day so special for me. Thank you again. – Jenni Brohier

Ann Craig (flute)
Ashley Thomas (saxophone)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Tony Luxmoore (keyboard)

181209

The Gala Dinner for Australia’s MedTech Entrepreneurship Competition at Peninsula, Docklands. A black-tie event for awarding prizes for the most brilliant ideas in medical technology.

‘You are an incredibly professional and talented bunch and were just perfect for the event’ – Cat

‘As a muso myself, I must cheer on the brilliant Jazz Notes providing fab entertainment this evening!!’ – Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea

Rick Correnza (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Matt Birtchnell (bass)

Thanks to the Sherman Tan Studio for the photos of the band.

181129

Following our first visit to Prosciutto Bros, Eltham, in September, we were invited to present monthly Sunday afternoon events for the early months of 2018.

Wade Morgan (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Frank Morgan (bass)

Jan to Apr 2018

Photos by Marion Blazé and Ashley Thomas

Wade Morgan singing ballads, bossas and pop classics at Prosciutto Bros, Eltham. Great pizzas and a huge array of craft beers!

 

Wade Morgan (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Frank Morgan (bass)

 

Thanks to Marion Blazé for photos.

 

170910 Jazz Notes with Wade Morgan

 

21-23 Oct 2016

The inaugural Halls Gap Jazz and Blues Festival with Jazz Notes in various guises:

• the Ann Craig Duo – Ann Craig (flute) and Kevin Blazé (guitar)
• Pippa Wilson with Jazz Notes – Pippa Wilson (vocals), Ann Craig (flute), Kevin Blazé (guitar), Frank Morgan (bass), Marek Podstawek (drums)
• Flute, Vibes and Tw Gits –  Ann Craig (flute), Marek Podstawek (vibes and percussion), Kevin Blazé (guitar), Frank Morgan (bass)
• Jazz Notes and Friends – Pippa Wilson (vocals), Ann Craig (flute), Ashley Thomas (saxophone), Kevin Blazé (guitar), Tony Luxmoore (keyboard), Frank Morgan (bass), Marek Podstawek (drums)

Most photos by Ashley Thomas

161209

 

Ann Craig (flute)

Kevin Blazé (guitar)

Andrew Eames (bass)

Rob Mercer (drums)

 

Photos by Marion Blazé and Ann Craig

The Castlemaine Rotary Art Show opened the night before the Castlemaine Jazz Festival and Andrew was invited to put together the band for it.

Ann Craig (flute)
Ashley Thomas (saxophone)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Andrew Eames (bass)

 

Photos by Marion Blazé

 

160610

Marek Podstawek has played drums with us several times and occasionally on other instruments. After exploring his versatility at the Australian Jazz Convention, we thought we’d do it again at the Grampians. Marek’s very entertaining and a lot of fun!

Ann Craig (flute, percussion)

Marek Podstawek (vibes, melodica, percussion)

Kevin Blazé (guitar)

Daniel Pickard (bass)

 

13 and 14 Feb 2016

Photos by Marion Blazé

 

An unexpected set with short notice at the Punjab restaurant – carried off with aplomb by Debbie Woodroffe. And, thanks to Stan for stepping into the breach.

Sun, 14 Feb 2016

 

Debbie Woodroffe (vocals)

Ann Craig (flute)

Kevin Blazé (guitar)

Stan Van Hooft (bass)

 

Photos by Marion Blazé

 

Two sets: opening the Festival at the Mountain Grand on Fri, 12 Feb, 2016.

Then, the open stage on Sat, 13 Feb 2016 with special guest vocalist, Pippa Wilson.

 

Lots of scatting on the outdoor stage: evidence of kangaroos!

 

Ann Craig (flute)

Kevin Blazé (vocals)

Daniel Pickard (bass)

 

Photos by Marion Blazé

 

We left Mark, Tony and Frank to hold the fort at the Ringwood RSL while Ann, Kevin, Daniel and Wade played a previously-booked engagement at Burrinja Café.

The beautiful spring day provided an opportunity for some photographs in the garden.

 

27 September 2015

Photos by Lea Morgan and Marion Blazé

 

Burrinja Café has undergone renovation and change of management. During that time, there was no live music.

Jazz Notes opened Burrinja’s Sunday afternoon program on 28 June 2015.

It started with Ann Craig (flute) and Kevin Blazé (guitar). They were joined by Daniel Pickard (bass) and, for the second set, Wade Morgan (vocals).

 

Photographs by Marion Blazé
Sun, 28 June 2015

 

The Ann Craig Trio had two sets in stationary venues!

The first set was in Run, Rabbit, Run which has a central atrium, making it challenging for photography. The Trio was also asked to fill the previous spot, for which we were joined by Ange Strickland (vocals).

Lot 19 is an art space outside the town and is a good setting for a quiet evening set.

Ann Craig (flute
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Daniel Pickard (bass)

Photographs by Marion Blazé

June 2015