Jazz At The Lake 2023

A free community event returning to the Ringwood Lake on Sunday 26 February 2023 – a day of jazz with multiple bands, coffee, food.

Coming in 2023: A day of jazz at the Ringwood Lake

We will update this page as the event takes shape.

We’re confirming bands at the moment.

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Support the event

We are still seeking donations and sponsorships for this event. The 2022 event was principally funded by the Maroondah City Council but their rules prohibit supporting a recurrent event. So, we need to raise substantial funds.

Donate to the PA hire

We are running a GoFundMe campaign to cover the hire of the audio/PA system ($2000).

Donate

Buy a ticket

Purchase one of only 250 tickets to have Ann & Kevin play at your house party or other event. And we’ll bring you a bottle of champagne!

Tickets $5

Tickets

If you’d like to be a sponsor for this event, please contact us by clicking the ‘Contact’ button above.

Jazz At The Lake – Program

Get the program

Look out for Program QR codes at the event.

Use the CAMERA app on your phone.

Jazz At The Lake 2023 – Detailed program

Our host for the day – Pat Panetta

Pat is the official ‘out & about’ person for Radio 3AW; with microphone in hand, he has reported from every major event in Melbourne.

A media professional, Pat also spends time in the studio filling in for on-air presenters, especially during the summer period. After 20 years at Melbourne’s number one radio station, he enjoys being part of the best radio station in the greatest city in Australia!

As well as being a Radio & TV Presenter, Digital Marketing Strategist & Content Creator, Pat is also the founder of Tell Your Story Media

Pat Panetta, 3AW’s ‘man about town’ will be our MC for the day.

Click the white box (above) for more info

11:00am Jess’s Jazz Combo

Jess’s Jazz Combo is a newly formed ensemble put together by Jess Johnson from Ringwood Secondary College as part of their instrumental program.

Together the band share a passion for music and have developed strong friendships through the wonderful music program.

They have been enthusiastically rehearsing for a semester and can’t wait to perform at their first gig!

They will be playing a variety of jazz standards, from Bossa, Fusion to classic swingers. We hope you enjoy!

Senior students from Ringwood Secondary College’s music program present standards and originals.

Jessica Johnson drums
Carmel Tien trumpet
Arielle Humphries keyboard
Sam Infanti trombone
Sasha Durkin bass
Thomas Dower keyboard/vibes/percussion

Click the white box (above) for more info

12:00pm Jazz Connection

This band consists of members from the recently concluded jazz improvisation workshop.

The workshop teaches improvisation through a variety of jazz styles including swing, traditional, Latin and contemporary.

These workshops had previously been coordinated by the late Marina Pollard until 2021. She dedicated much of her time to introducing countless musicians to the creative art of jazz improvisation. Since her passing, Jazz Connections was started to continue her legacy and thus encourage and develop the skills of all jazz musicians.

The workshops are a 12-week immersion course under the tuition and guidance of two of Melbourne’s expert music educationalists: Viv Doolan & Brian Abrahams.

The next series of workshops will start in April 2023. For further information, please contact Candice Vaz on 0425 843 787.

This band consists of members from the recently concluded jazz improvisation workshop.

Darby Lee piano
Ashley Gollin clarinet
Ashton Vaz clarinet/vocals
Dean Coelho violin
Greg Gand bass
Hussein Amin drums
Neru vocals

Click the white box (above) for more info

1:00pm DR Big Band featuring Hans De Zilwa and Brigid DeNeefe

An enthusiastically unique Jazz Group from day one, the members of DR Big Band have been singing, performing, and playing in sync for over 25 years. The personnel has changed, but the joy of bringing exciting big band jazz to music lovers all over Victoria has continued.

The DR Big Band was formed over 25 years ago in the Dandenong Ranges of Melbourne, under the auspices of the Dandenong Ranges Music council consists of an 18-piece jazz band with trombones, trumpets, saxophones and rhythm section, DRBB plays a range of music from the original swing era of Count Basie, through Latin, Be-Bop to Jazz Rock and many genres in between.

The DRBB (Dandenong Ranges Big Band) has performed at Port Fairy, Halls Gap, and Inverloch Jazz festivals, at concert venues and jazz clubs.

The DR Big Band can also be seen performing regularly at the Ringwood RSL as part of the monthly Jazz Notes community event with Melbourne Music Performers.

Glorious brass and reed arrangements presented by this 18-piece big band led by Kelvin Legg and fronted by Hans De Zilwa and Brigid DeNeefe

Click the white box (above) for more info

2:15pm Caught In The Act!

Caught in the Act! plays an exciting style of Upbeat Latin Jazz with a hint of fusion. Something that you’ll just want to get up and groove along to.

Their repertoire ranges from smooth, funky jazz to fast up-beat Latin tunes with energised rhythm: always making for a fun gig – full of energy!

You can purchase a CD or USB card of Caught In The Act! Released in 2023, ‘Pretty Eyes’ is available now and at most Jazz Notes events.

This band originally formed as a festival band but has been increasingly busy in recent years. During 2020 and 2021, lockdowns got in the way of many gigs, but in the brief gaps between those lockdowns, CITA grabbed opportunities to refine their cool repertoire, make some recordings and they performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, the Phillip Island Jazz Club, Britannia Mall, Croydon Town Square, and as the feature band at Melbourne Music Performers’ monthly event at the Ringwood RSL.

Caught in the Act! will bring you lively and energetic Latin music, modern funky jazz and some favourite jazz standards. All with new and interesting arrangements.

Smooth, funky jazz to fast up-beat Latin tunes with energized rhythm: always making for a fun gig – full of energy!

Ann Craig flute & percussion
Ashley Thomas saxophone
Kevin Blazé guitar
Malcolm Hornby piano
Frank Morgan bass
Simon Atkinson drums

Click the white box (above) for more info

3:30pm Michelle Nicolle Quartet

National Jazz Award, Bell Award, 3 times Mo Award winner and 3 times A.R.I.A Finalist, Michelle Nicolle is celebrated as Australia’s finest female jazz singer.

Known for her ability to get right to the heart of a song, as well as being an in the moment improviser, Michelle has continually developed and nurtured her art form with the help of her quartet.

The Michelle Nicolle Quartet is in their 24th year of playing together. An ensemble with a total contemporary and forward-thinking approach, whilst at the same time steeped in the tradition of jazz, storytelling and the magic of the live performance.

As well as releasing 8 CDs, the MNQ has toured extensively throughout Australia and internationally, with performances including Tokyo Jazz Festival, Jakjazz (Indonesia), Jarasum Jazz Festival (Korea), Turkey, Estonia, Finland, North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Asia Pacific Festival (Russia), Prague Jazz Festival 2015, 2018 (Cz Republic).

Visit www.michellenicolle.com for sound grabs, photos & gig information

Multi-award-winning singer, Michelle Nicolle, has toured extensively throughout Australia and internationally with her Quartet for 24 years and released eight albums. You will be spellbound by her great talent.

Michelle Nicolle voice
Geoff Hughes guitar
Tom Lee double bass
Ronny Ferella drums

Click the white box (above) for more info

4:45pm Bob Sedergreen & Friends

Jon Chidgey (bass) and drums Sam Young (drums) both perform regularly with Bob around Melbourne.

Add to this on trumpet and vocals you can hear jazz royalty, Paul Coyle and Mal Sedergreen (saxophone), powerful musicians who play with honesty and intensity. Both have toured internationally and played in ground-breaking bands: Paul with Bomba and The Melbourne Ska Orchestra and Mal with Jimmy Witherspoon, Mistaken Identity, Art Attack and Blue on the Boil.

The music will reflect the eclectic tastes of all of the players.

Iconic Melbourne jazz pianist, Bob Sedergreen loves to be the lynch pin presenting musicians who deserve to be recognised.

Bob Sedergreen piano
Jon Chidgey bass
Sam Young drums
Paul Coyle trumpet
Mal Sedergreen saxophone

Click the white box (above) for more info

6:00pm Pippa Wilson and Jazz Notes

Pippa Wilson, Melbourne’s classy lady of jazz has been entertaining audiences in Melbourne, interstate and overseas for many years.

In the last few years, Pippa has been working with Jazz Notes to great responses:
‘Just love Pippa singing with Jazz Notes! They are just a perfect fit!’ (Jenny)
‘Terrific – great. Loved everything.’ (Bev)
‘I’m not sure who enjoyed it more, the band or the audience!!’ (Pippa)

Pippa Wilson with Jazz Notes has performed at the Frankston Arts Centre, Sunshine Coast Jazz Club, the Victorian Jazz Club, the Inverloch, Castlemaine and Port Fairy Jazz Festivals and many other events.

Our combination gives Pippa a chance to shine, stripping the sound back and allowing our audience to get close and personal to this lovely lady.

There’ll be cool jazz, jazz-inspired pop, Latin and some surprises; of course, Pippa will still belt out some of her crowd-pleasers so there’ll be something to suit everyone’s taste.

Pippa Wilson, Melbourne’s classy lady of jazz, will take you through some swinging, popular jazz standards and some of her big, crowd-pleasing favourites. An absolute treat.

Pippa Wilson vocals
Ann Craig flutes
Kevin Blazé guitar
Malcolm Hornby piano
Frank Morgan bass
Simon Atkinson drums

Click the white box (above) for more info

7:15pm Shirazz

For over a decade, Shirazz has held a reputation as one of Melbourne’s most exciting Dixieland bands, playing to packed houses across Australia and New Zealand.

Shirazz’s irrevererent take on the trad jazz classics, their inventive reworking of pop tunes, smoky low down blues dirges and cheeky original material gives the band their unique appeal – jazz, but not quite how you remember it.

“A lively dance set with a sense of fun… they delivered in spades – with some mischief, humour and a couple of singalongs!” – Michael Stewart, Director, Newport Folk Festival

At home, they perform regularly at bars, pubs, dances and parties.

They have released five albums, including one nominated for an Australian Jazz Bell Award.

Website

Melbourne’s famous Shirazz: the masters of trad jazz and the New Orleans sound. A potent blend of classic jazz and reworked modern favourites.

Shirazz is a brilliant and exciting band that is a festival favourite for many of us. We’re sure you’ll enjoy their lively music and infectious antics that will close Jazz At The Lake 2023.

Matt Dixon trombone/vocal
Adrian De Fanti clarinet/saxophone
Andrew Power trumpet
Will Purcell banjo
Michael Di Cecco drums
Stephanie Bell double bass

Click the white box (above) for more info

Past event

See what happened at Jazz At The Lake 2022 – many photos!

Location

Where we’ll be

Near the north end of the bridge that crosses the Lake. You’ll hear us!

Getting there

The Sound Shell in Ringwood Lake Park is 12 mins walk from Ringwood Station and 15 mins walk from Ringwood East station.

Parking

Limited parking is available in the Lake car parks.

The car park that is accessed from Maroondah Hwy is for disabled parking only. The path from that car park is smooth with gentle gradients.

The general car park for Ringwood Lake Park is accessed from Mt Dandenong Rd, just east of the Ampol service station. The path is quite smooth with gradients.

Parking is also available in Rosewarne Lane, across the railway line from the Lake and close to the Central Ringwood Community Centre. The path crosses the railway lines and has some steeper gradients.

More parking is available along Maroondah Hwy and in nearby side streets.

The organisers

Ann Craig & Kevin Blazé

Planning happened during and between lockdowns, initially aiming for November 2021 but COVID saw that changed to March 2022. Fund-raising proved very difficult during COVID because so many potential sources were so heavily impacted by COVID. Which made us even more determined to run this event – for the musicians and community that has missed so much in the past two years.

Thanks to all the staff at Maroondah City Council for helping us to plan and prepare for this event. We’d like to especially thank the Arts and Culture Team, the Events Team and Karralyka.

Thanks to the volunteers from the Australian Jazz Museum and other Maroondah locals who have offered their assistance on and before the day.

Special thanks to Simon Atkinson for the use of his drum kit for the day.

And to our families and friends who have supported our vision for this event, and volunteered to help us with so many tasks on the day.

Finally, to the wonderful musicians we asked to perform at Jazz at the Lake, without whom the event would have been just a picnic in the park!

When local musicians, Ann Craig (flute) & Kevin Blazé (guitar) formed Jazz Notes, it was to feature the seductive tones of flute (often forgotten in the jazz world) and guitar (the perfect accompaniment for flute).

Although we often perform as a duo, Jazz Notes frequently back singers and perform as a larger band (including Caught In The Act!).

We also organise and stage events – this is our largest to date!

With the Melbourne Music Performers, we have monthly events at the Ringwood RSL as well as larger shows for which we write musical arrangements.

In 2021, we received a Maroondah Arts and Resilience Award for our work during COVID lockdowns.

To be kept informed of upcoming events, please like our Facebook page. If you don’t use Facebook, you can subscribe to our newsletter.

Click the white box (above) for more info

Our sponsors

This free community event is organised by Jazz Notes with support from:

Maroondah City Council

Arts In Maroondah is Maroondah City Council’s arts and culture department, responsible for delivering, supporting and promoting a diverse and culturally rich Maroondah through arts projects and participation opportunities across a wide range of artforms including visual and performing arts.

Arts in Maroondah

Maroondah City Council has provided major funding for Jazz At The Lake 2022 and 2023, through grants from Maroondah Arts.

The Council has also provided extensive administrative support from the Arts and Culture team and equipment from Karralyka.

Community Music and Performances

Website

Community Music and Performances Incorporated was established to advance arts, culture and the wellbeing of the community. CMaP is administering this event.

You can support CMaP through donation. Donate HERE.

Communities of Wellbeing

Website

At Communities of Wellbeing, we share a common belief: that when people are supported to live a good life, people and communities flourish.

And to us, a good life is one with meaning and purpose, deep and genuine relationships, meaningful accomplishments and strong mental and physical health. Using the science of positive psychology, we work together to build capability and connectedness in others so that people and communities flourish.

Working with a range of stakeholders from within Maroondah and beyond, we aim to actively measure and improve wellbeing by:
• Serving as advocates for action to help people and communities prioritise wellbeing
• Providing learning opportunities and resources that build skills to enable others to pursue a good life
• Facilitating and supporting community partnerships, projects and programs for flourishing people and communities

We work across five key areas of impact:
• Home and Family Life
• Financial Life
• Learning and Education
•Work Life
• Social and Public Life

We acknowledge that a good life is not devoid of struggle. In fact, when strength and struggle walk together, we believe we have the resilience to navigate life’s challenges. For us, our collective strength is our shared commitment to working together, learning together and sharing our message of wellbeing so that people and communities flourish.

Communities of Wellbeing uses the science of Positive Psychology to help people and communities thrive.

Communities of Wellbeing is a major sponsor of Jazz at The Lake 2023 and volunteers will be present to share information about the organisation and what it does.

The Foothills Foundation

Website

The Foothills Foundation is a diverse group of business people whose aim is to improve the lives of disadvantaged people in our community, by raising funds ethically, assuring our financial sustainability, building connectivity within our community and awarding grants to local people and community groups in need.

Grants are given to disadvantaged people in our community, or to organisations that support people in need in our community. For a grant to be considered, the request should be in writing, preferably on the official application form and usually needs to be submitted by a community/care organisation. However, individual requests can be acted upon. The Foundation can also partner with other agencies/organisations/business groups, for example, on specific projects or initiatives, or in responding to grant applications.

Established in 1976, The Foothills Foundation Inc. (ARN A0026188U) is a bona fide charity and is a not-for-profit organisation (ABN:68582921647). The Foundation has also set up the Foothills Charitable Trust to ATO requirements and Trustees have been appointed. Donations to the Trust are tax deductible.

Improving the lives of disadvantaged people in our community.

The Foothills Foundation is a major sponsor of Jazz at The Lake 2023 and volunteers will be present to share information about the organisation and what it does.

Bendigo Community Bank – Ringwood East

Unlike most banks, the Bendigo Community Bank returns profits directly to the community that has generated them.

Website

Stuart Greig & Jade Mainwaring have again offered the Bank’s BBQ setup with all proceeds going towards funding Jazz At The Lake 2023, as they did in 2022.

Please help us by supporting them! We bank with the Bendigo Community Bank – Ringwood East.

Jazz Notes

Website

Jazz Notes conceived and organised all aspects of the 2022 event including fund-raising, marketing and graphics. We are doing so again for 2023.

Jazz Notes is a major sponsor of Jazz at The Lake 2023.

The Hon. Michael Sukkar

After the challenging and difficult times that all in our local community have faced due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I am very pleased to support Jazz at the Lake, a wonderful community event that aims to bring family and friends together for a relaxing and pleasant day.

I would like to extend my appreciation and congratulations to all those involved with organising this event and acknowledge the many people have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this event a success.

Michael Sukkar, Federal Member for Deakin, is a keen supporter of local events.

Michael has contributed funds to Jazz At The Lake 2022 and 2023.

Graeme Howie Foundation

Graeme Howie (1938 – 2017) was a Melbourne musician who was best-known for playing in the Melbourne ballroom dance scene. He played the organ and was an excellent instrumentalist: he could play anything in any key!

As a long-time member of the Swingmasters Dance Band and a family friend of the Craig family, Graeme was exactly like that: family!

Graeme was a born performer. In his early years, he was one of the founding members of The Planets, Melbourne’s first rock’n’roll band – you can find out more about them at gallery of the Arts Centre, Melbourne.

Jazz at the Lake thanks the Graeme Howie Foundation & the Craig family for supporting the event and we acknowledge Graeme’s memory.

Musician and friend, Graeme Howie, always took an interest in our musical ventures.

Graeme’s foundation has contributed funds to Jazz At The Lake 2022 and 2023.

Victorian Jazz Club

The Victorian jazz Club (established 1968) is a not-for-profit organisation that encourages the performance of live traditional Jazz.

The VJC hosts at least two bands a month on Saturday nights at Clayton RSL, providing work for many local musicians and encouraging young musicians to perform this music style.

Dancers are catered for with a large dance floor and the RSL has a bistro and drinks at bar prices.

Everyone is welcome to attend, with members receiving newsletters and a discounted entry price.

Website: www.vjc.org.au

VJC Facebook page

The Victorian Jazz Club (established 1968), encourages the performance of live traditional jazz, providing work for many local musicians and encourages young bands to perform this music style. Everyone welcome.

The VJC contributed funds to Jazz At The Lake 2023.

Melbourne Music Performers

The Melbourne Music Performers group runs monthly events at the Ringwood RSL and donations from these events have assisted with engaging ABP Audiovisual to provide sound equipment and mixing for Jazz at the Lake.

Our monthly events comprise performances by the DR Big Band, Caught In The Act! and invited artists. And later in the day, you can get up and sing or play with the band – in an open mic spot or jamming with the band.

Volunteers from the Melbourne Music Performers have assisted in setting up Jazz at the Lake and are amongst the helpful Courtesy Crew at the event.

It’s free to join Melbourne Music Performers:

MMP on the web
MMP on Facebook

The Melbourne Music Performers hosts monthly jazz events at Ringwood RSL.

It’s a full afternoon of entertainment including and open mic segment and a jazz jam. All for $15.

Come and join us for our next event: Sun 5 March 2023, 1:30-5:30 at Ringwood RSL.

Donations from past (and future!) events go towards covering the costs of Jazz at the Lake 2023.

Level Crossing Removal Project

The Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) is a program of the Government of Victoria, Australia, to remove 110 level crossings and rebuild 51 railway stations in Melbourne.

Website

The Level Crossings Removal Project is providing plants to beautify the stage for Jazz At The Lake 2023.

They will be present to support the event and to share information about the Project.

Central Ringwood Community Centre

Website

Gazebos provide shelter for our musicians, our community groups and equipment.

We are grateful to the Central Ringwood Community Centre for providing gazebos for Jazz At The Lake 2022 and 2023. Members of the CRCC team will be present to share information about the organisation and its activities.

Barry Plant – Heathmont & Ringwood, Croydon

Our thanks to Jennifer Lieschke, Susan Maund and Olivia Ducommun for meticulously preparing the billboards.

Website

Barry Plant will give you real estate results you can rely on.

Barry Plant has provided billboard advertising for Jazz At The Lake 2022 and 2023.

Poster

Scroll down for a link to a file suitable for printing.

Would you like to have a poster that you can print? CLICK the link below:

Download Jazz at the Lake 2023 poster for printing