Jazz In The City

January 1999

The city centre in summer has such a different feel. The streets are quieter, its pedestrians more relaxed with shorts as much in evidence as ties and suits. The bad and good news is that parking inspectors don't go on holidays and queues at banks are half those of last month.

But inside the city hotels, thanks to Lord Mayor Ivan Deveson's personal passion for jazz, there's a lot going on, particularly next Saturday with Jazz in the City, an all day music marathon curated by Adrian Jackson as part of the Jazz Festival.

The Fireworks Jazz Band start just after noon at the Active for Life Jazz club, Victoria Hotel, one of the three venues (the others -Lower Town Hall and Assembly Hall) which have acts right through the day such as Barbara Morrison, the Los Angeles jazz blues singer, followed by New York drummer Bobby Previte with his 11-piece Bitches Brew; Australian jazz legend, Roger Bell; drummer composer Niko Schauble's "open-ended explorations" with Adrian Sherriff, Paul Grabowsky and Chris Bekker.

At the hotel's Jazz Club, healthy snacks -lots of fruit and cheese platters will be available throughout the afternoon and evening as well as a full bar selection of drinks or you can get in the mood of the music with a Satchmo cocktail of gin, blue curacao, bitters and lemonade. The club is open for other jazz events through this week and next. Major overseas acts include Pierre Dorge & the New Jungle Orchestra from Denmark tonight at 9pm and on 3 & 4 February, New York based saxophonist, Chris Potter.

Sofi's at the Hotel Sofitel is featuring music evenings 6-8pm throughout the next two weeks of the Festival. Entry is free (one drink minimum). Some of my favourite singers will be there -- the pure flute like voice of Shelly Scown will perform with pianist Tim Stevens on Thursday, on Friday the Winner of the National Jazz Awards last year, Michelle Nicolle will perform with Mark Fitzgibbon (an award winner in 1991); next Monday the charm and style of Christine Sullivan with Peter Jones; Linda Cable with the very smooth sounds of Joe Chindamo on Thursday 4 February. With ten week nights of music the barman has come up with a 'swinging line-up of Jazzy Cocktails', with names such as Bacardi Blues, Bubbling Jazz, Dizzy Dame and Southern Obsession, most tastes and moods seem to be catered for.

But at The Continental in Prahran, Mario dePasquale, believes that jazz fans really prefer wine. He likes to showcase wines by the glass and has chosen Eyton Chardonnay and Cabernet to offer fans of Jex Saarelaht & Friends next Monday. The Continental is one of Melbourne's best venues for music of all kinds and they are keen supporters of the Jazz Festival too. You can go just for the music, $15 or have 3 course dinner & show for $50. Jex is one of our best pianists, he played very often and very well at Mietta's. And his friends aren't all that bad either, they include -- Vika Bull, Ross Hannaford, Russell Smith, Paul Williamson and Ross Wilson.

At Southgate there's Twilight Jazz from 7.30-9.30pm Saturdays and Sundays for the next two weeks. The full program of Jazz Festival events is available on 1300 655 465