Category: Jazz Notes 5

Two sets on 28 December 2015: one in the Provincial Hotel, the other in the Miners’ Tavern.

Wade Morgan (vocals)

Ann Craig (flute)

Kevin Blazé (guitar)

Daniel Pickard (bass)

Rob Mercer (drums)

Photos by Marion Blazé

We were sold out again for this night with Pippa. (We even brought in an extra table in the afternoon.)

What a great night it was: Pippa was in fine voice and the band managed to keep up with her. Only a couple of surprises for Pippa but, this time, she had some surprise lyrics for each member of the band. Audience participation, a mystery backing vocalist and even the sound of sleigh bells: we had it all!

Thanks to everyone who came along and made it such a great night.

And, thanks to those who used the booking system – it makes the administration so much easier!

Saturday, 14 November 2015

Photos by Marion Blazé

In June, Ann and Kevin ran some workshops in the use of technology for gigging musicians. These were conducted at the Australian Jazz Museum.

Subsequently, Ann and Kevin were asked to play for one of their open days.

But it grew: on Wednesday, 26 August 2015, the FULL band played at the Museum.

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

Thanks to Ashley Thomas for photos.

Pippa Wilson joined Jazz Notes again for a wonderful night of music and fun at the Dandenong Club.

We had searched early in the year for a new venue and were very excited when we found the Dandenong Club. The management was great to work with this helped make the night one to remember.

Pippa was in fine form, the band was ready for some fun and the room was full; and the feedback from the audience was great.

We really love what we do on these nights: playing with some of the nicest people to a receptive and enthusiastic audience.

We’re hoping to do another with Pippa, later in the year. If you’d like to know when this is on and how to get discounted tickets, please subscribe here.

Thanks to Marion and Ashley for their help before, during and after the event.

Pippa Wilson (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Daniel Pickard (bass)
Rob Mercer (drums)

Friday 14 August 2015

Photographs by Marion Blazé

Jazz Notes was fronted by Sevil Sabah for two great sets: one at the Bridge Hotel and another at the Five Flags. Both excellent venues and well attended.

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

Photographs by Marion Blazé

June 2015

We came on after a beautiful and delicate set by the Tony Gould Trio that held the audience spellbound.

Wanting to sustain that moment, we changed our set, starting with Fool On The Hill: primarily guitar (Kevin) with Ann’s beautiful flute and just a little bass (Daniel) and drums (Allan) in the middle.

Earlier that day, I’d heard Cute described as a drum solo with instrumental fills so, to Allan’s surprise, he introduced Cute with a 16-bar drum solo.

Wade had wowed a small audience on Saturday night in the Stadium, but Sunday night saw a large and enthusiastic audience enjoy his mellow tones as he took us through jazz standards, musicals, more Beatles and a sensuous rendition of Mustang Sally (with backing vocals from a significant proportion of the audience!).

Thanks to the kind audience who took the trouble to come up and tell us that this set was the highlight of the Festival.

‘Sounding Awesome.’

Wade Morgan (vocals)
Ann Craig (flute)
Kevin Blazé (guitar)
Daniel Pickard (bass)
Allan Smith (drums)

Photographs by Marion Blazé & Neville Sampson
Sun, 8 March 2015

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

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

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

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