The festival cponcert series will be held agaon at The Jazzlab in Brunswick.

Hear about the Improvising Symposium and Equity in Tertiary Education discussion, the new Lumina Award, and so many talented Women featured across 9 days of festival, including Abi Lee, Mia Barham, Jess Green, Andrea Keller, Nat Bartsch, Holly Moore, Coco’s Lunch. Lucy Clifford. Kennedy Snow, Naked Raven, Ame;lia Evans, Genevieve Kuner and Louise Rankin!

All the festival details are found at mwijf.org.

Sonja Horbelt was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday November 24, 2024
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Album artwork: Lee Francis-Evatt (@blonde_pigeon_)

Mosaic released their debut album on October 13, 2024 – called Where We Are Now.  Lee talks about the significant amount of work and emotional investment in the project and the nice feelings to have it released.

Lee talks through the pieces of the album describing each piece with such great enthusiasm, and talking of the storytelling that takes place.

Mosaic was formed at the Sydney Conservatorium by Trombone player Lee Orszaczky and Saxophone player Chiara Minotto, and features the musical voices of Braden Clarke, Sarah Morrison (Tpt), Leo Marland. Lachie Eggert, Aidan Wong (saxes), Matt Simmonds (Drums), James Watt (Bass) and Ravi Trachtenberg Ray (Pno.)

Mosaic will be launching the album in Sydney on October 24 at the Lazybones Lounge followed by a performance at the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues at 1pm on Saturday November 2, 2024 at the Wangaratta Club.  More information from wangarattajazz.com.

Mosaic Band Photo: Blake Holden (@blakeholden_13)

Lee Orszaczky was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday October 13, 2024
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Alastair told us that Antonio Carlos Jobim was perhaps the most important composer of the 20th century, becoming known for his Bossa Nova music, as well as orchestral works and art music.  The Stan Getz / Jao Gilberto album –  Getz/Gilberto, was the first internationally massively successful Bossa Nova album which featured music by Antonio Carlos Jobim – it was also the very first album of Jobim’s music that Alastair Kerr heard.

Panorama Brasil is the ensemble put together by Alastair to perform the music of Jobim and Brasil – a group based in Melbourne who will be performing music of Antonio Carlos Jobim with Orchestra Victoria as part of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival at Hamer Hall on October 26, 2025.  This feature concert of the festival pays tribute to the 100th anniversary of  Rhapsody in Blue, and the music of Chick Corea featuring Japanese pianist Makoto Ozone, and the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim featuring Panorama Brasil.

Hear what Alastair had to say in this podcast from Bent Notes at JOY 94.9.

Alastair Kerr was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday October 13, 2024
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Jamie described pushing musical boundaries alongside guitarist Stephen Magnusson and drummer Ben Vanderwal.  Those boundaries are in part due to the instrumentation of their trio which does not include drums or bass, giving them their own sonic world to collaboratively explore and expand.

The trio, Paper Tiger, released their self-titled first album in 2014, and will be debuting their followup album Between The Lines Of Stillness at The Jazzlab on October 22, 2024 as part of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Jamie Oehlers was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday October 13, 2024
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Rob talks about the challenges of collaborating with the music of other cultures, maintaining the character and life of the music, whilst blending it with the Western approach to improvisation.

Barlines and Beyond released their debut album, recorded at the Sir Zelman Cowan School of Music at Monash University,  on the Jazzhead label in 2015.

Rob will be performing with the Barlines & Beyond project, a project where Indian Classical music on the Slide Guitar played by Debasis Chakroborty, is blended with the Western approach to Improvisation from Rob (Tenor & Soprano Saxaphones & Alto Clarinet), Stephen Magnusson (Electric Guitar), with rhythm from Sam Evans (Tabla), as part of this year’s Melbourne International Jazz Festival.  More details from melbournejazz.com

Rob Burke was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday October 6, 2024
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Michael spoke about over 400 artists representing 12 countries, performing in 109 events across 34 venues in and around Melbourne, with a collective tally of 34 Grammy award wins and 99 Grammy award nominations.  The festival also sponsors over one third of the program to be a range of free events for the entire community to enjoy – from toddlers to the more mature age!

Artists coming to Australia inclde Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Esperanza Spalding, Antonio Sanchez and the TBC Brass Band.

Events include a major party on opening weekend at the Sydney Myer Music Bowl featuring Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller and Australia’s own Bumpy; a 2nd line street parade featuring the TBC Brass Band and Free jazz at Fed Square.

Hear Michael chat about the festival in this podcast from JOY 94.9’s jazz program – Bent Notes.

The Melbourne International Jazz Festival runs from October 18 to October 27 with all the details on their website melbournejazz.com.

Michael Tortoni was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday September 1, 2024
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Serge spoke about the range of artists appearing  across the many venues in and around Wangaratta and the venue-based ticketing system introduced this year, as the festival is re-born alongside the National Jazz Awards – this year for Saxophone.

This years artist roster includes Vince Jones, Hetty Kate, Mark Fitzgibbon, Ilaria Crociani, Kellie Santin, Tamara Kuldin, Julien Wilson, Jack Earle, High Society and lots more!

Find more details about the 34th festival at the website – www.wangjazzblues.com.

Serge Carnovale was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday July 21, 2024
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NOON is created as a collection of songs inspired by Harry’s observations of society’s collectively diminishing attention spans.  The inspiration said to Harry that he should create someting long-form – that can’t be consumed quickly. (recalling the days when you would put a vinyl record on the turntable then sit down to listen for 22 minutes for each side.)

Harry would like us to listen to the entiure album from start to finish in one sitting to receive the best appreciation.  Harry has composed the pieces reflecting each other in a Pallindromic fashion, including both longer and shorter composistions to tell the story.

Find NOON on Bandcamp, and read, see and  hear more about Harry at his webiste – harrymitchell.net

Harry Mitchell was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday July 21, 2024
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Erica spoke of the joy of meeting so many young musicians when visting secondary schools as part of the role; her thrill at being commissioned to write a major new work to be debuted at the festival, enabling Erica to write for an ensemble including a String Quartet; learning the drums, and making percussive sounds in her music that surprises the secondary school students!

Hear Erica in this podcast from JOY 94.9

Erica Tucceri was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday September 1, 2024
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Xani spoke about the focus on improvisation and using the effects pedals and other equipment to produce her style of music using her electric violin – calling upon her skills in the worlds of Pop, Rock and Jazz to create interesting and entertaining sounds and musical sequences to keep her audiences enthralled.  Xani has described her music as exploring the spaces between Pop, Jazz, Electronic and Chamber music.

Hear Xani recall her first gigs along Fitzroy Street St.Kilda and how so many amazing jazz artists are taking part in the FUSION ON FITZROY event across so many Fitzroy Street St.Kilda venues on Satuday August 31, 2024.

Xani Kolac was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday August 18, 2024
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Jody Sternberg & David Lewis in-studio at JOY 94.9

Jody recalled her journey from Australia where she played sax in her primary school band, to Japan where she was discoverd by an American blues pianist who advised her to audition to study at the Berklee College, before moving to America to do just that!  Jody finally settled in France where she discovered that her voice would be her primary instrument.  David recalled his opportunity to study in Europe included Sweden, before settling in France.  Both recalled the joy of studying and performing with the major players of the day.

Jody and David will perform during their Aussie tour in Perth (The Ellington Jazz Club), Sydney (Camelot Lounge, August 8), Hobart (MONA, August 19), Melbourne (Beleura House August 23, and The Jazzlab August 24) before returning to France.

Jody Sternberg and David Lewis were guests of Bent Notes on Sunday July 28, 2024
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The new album, Monster In Your Head, features 12 brand new pieces written fresh for this project around the experiences of break-ups.  The music was so fresh to the recording studio that Travis had not heard them all completely until the album mixing was taking place!  Checkout the album on Bandcamp.

The Horns of Leroy are Ben Harrison & Travis Woods – Trumpet, Chris Vizard & Nick Pietsch – Trombone, Jay Scarlett – Sousaphone, Daniel Berry & Tim Clifton – Percussion.

The Horns of Leroy are performing together with Thando and Sydney based brass band The Hot Potato Band at the Fitzroy Brass Party on Friday July 26, 2024 at The Night Cat – celebrating 30 years of Night Cat.

Travis Woods and Jay Scarlett were guests of Bent Notes on Sunday July 14, 2024
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The album was recorded at the Jazzlab by the ABC during the 2023 Melbourne International Jazz Festival and has now been released to the world.

Michelle talks about the thrill of performing in ALL RISE with the Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis and the MSO at Hamer Hall during 2023; the scat syllables that we hear in scat singing and how one should not try to think about them; and performing a gig with her quartet with a set list made up entirely of her own compositions.

Michelle launches the new album of her own compositions at The Jazzlab on Saturday July 20, 2024.

Michelle Nicolle was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday July 7, 2024
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Sonja spoke about the legacy and the memory of the late Lynnette Irwin, for many years the backbone of the artistic direction of the festival, and the person to whom this years festival has been dedicated.

Hear about the amazing female musicians performing in the festival this year including Teri Roiger, Peggy Lee, Elly Hoyt, Mim Crellin, Nina Ferro, Ilaria Crociani, AURA, and so much more – including an industry panel, perfromance workshop and a singers symposium.

Checkout the festival at www.mwijf.org.

Sonja Horbelt was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday November 19, 2023
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Cheryl Durongpisitikul

Cheryl Durongpisitkul spoke with David Moyle on Bent Notes about the work involved in preparing for the debut of her new suite for 12-piece improvising ensemble that channels her own personal experiences of loss, grief  and healing.

As the Take Note leader for 2023 for the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Cheryl was commissioned to compose this work as well as visit secondary schools across Victoria, as part of the festival’s activities to address underrepresentation of women and gender diverse musicians in jazz by celebrating and promoting women and gender diverse leaders on stage and in high schools across Victoria.

Cheryl debuted the work – I Still Miss You – to an enthusiastic and appreciative capacity audience at the Jazzlab as the official openeing gig of this years festival.

Hear what Cheryl had to say in this podcadst from Bent Notes on JOY 94.9

Cheryl Durongpisitkul was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday October 15, 2023
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Zac Hurren, Katie Noonan, Ben Hauptmann

Katie  Noonan‘s ELIXIR project kicked off in 1997, with their goal to explore the relationship between text and sound and celebrate great Australian poetry.

The current line-up for the trio is National Jazz Award, ARIA Award winning and Freedman Jazz Fellowship finalist saxophonist/composer Zac Hurren, Freedman Jazz
Fellowship winning and National Jazz Award finalist guitarist Ben Hauptmann and 5 x ARIA, AWMA, AIR and APRA award winning musician Katie Noonan.

Album Cover: A Small Shy Truth

Their new Album – A Small Shy Truth – the 4th album for the trio, is based upon Poetry of Michael Leunig – whose unique poetry was featured on the trio’s 3rd album – Gratitude and Grief (KIN Music 2018)

Hear Katie talk about the need for vulnerability when composing music, the wonderful poetry of Michael Leunig, and Sassy The Staffie!

Elixir, featuring Katie Noonan, launches A Small Shy Truth at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Saturday night, October 28, 2023 as part of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Katie Noonan was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday October 22, 2023
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Emma Pask

Emma Pask was discovered at a school concert gig by multi-instrumentalist and entertainer James Morrison – a week later Emma was invited to tour with the James Morrison Big Band – and the rest is history!

Hear Emma talk about that amazing experience and much more in this podcast from Bent Notes, including Trombone player, arranger and band leader Ed Wilson, the necessity to get on with achieving items off your bucketlist without undue delay, performing with wonderful musicians, all with a main aim of making everyone happier.

Emma will be performing standards from the great American Songbook, with some raucus Blues and Latin feels too – with pianist Grant Windsor, Sydney drummer Tim Firth and bass player Harry Morrison (son of James and someone who Emma used to babysit when he was young) at The Count’s at Monash University on Saturday October 28, 2023

Emma Pask was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday October 22, 2023
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Vanessa Perica. Photo: Pia Johnson

Award winning composer Vanessa Perica is launching her 2nd Jazz Orchestra album as part of the lineup for this year’s Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

The 1st album, Love Is A Temporary Madness, was named one of the best Australian albums of 2020 by The Guardian, winner of the Best Jazz Album at the Music Victoria Awards, ‘Work of the Year’ at the APRA Art Music Awards and Australian Jazz Bell Awards, and was nominated for the prestigious Australian Music Prize.

Vanessa spoke about the opportunities that have arisen for her since that 1st album, and the joy she has experienced in spending time with the amazing musicians of her Jazz Orchestra once again in recording the 2nd album – The Eye is the First Circle.

Album Cover: The Eye is the First Circle

The Eye is the First Circle features the same musicians augmented by a couple of new faces, and will be launched on Thursday October 26, 2023 at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Vanessa Perica was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday October 15, 2023
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Mindy plays the Guzheng – a chinese instrument similar in look and sound to a Zither, and has collaborated throughout her career with musicians from different cultures.

Hear the conversation in this podcast from JOY 94.9

Mindy Meng Wang and Paul Grabowsky are performing together at Chapel off Chapel on Saturday October 21, 2023 as part of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival

Paul Grabowksy AO and Monday Meng Wang were guests of Bent Notes on Sunday October 15, 2023
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Ruth Rogers-Wright

Ruth Rogers-Wright began her career in London where she was one of the leading artists in the “New British Jazz” movement, before migrating to  Australia.  Her band in London included two Aussie ex-pats – pianist Mark Fitzgibbon and vocalist Nichaud Fitzgibbon.

Ruth was introduced to the music of Nina Simone while in London and saw her perform live a number of times.  These experiences formed part of the inspiration for Ruth to put together a show about Nina and her music.

In this podcast from JOY 94.9 Ruth chats about her musical beginnings in London, the challenges of the music ‘industry’, and her show all about the life of the great entertainer and activist who was  Nina Simone.

Ruth is performing The Great Songs of Nina Simone at the Hawthorn Arts Centre on Friday October 20, 2023.

Ruth Rogers-Wright was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday October 15, 2023
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Monique diMattina

Stella Miiles Franklin was an Australian author, activist and feminist, leaving an endowment behind celebrating Australian Literature in the form of the annual  Miles Franklin Award.  However, Stella was much more than an author!

Inspired by the dramatic and exciting life story of Stella Miles Franklin, Melbourne based composer, vocalist and pianist Monique diMattina has written a new musical – STELLA – about the life of Stella Miles Franklin.

Monique has developed the music and script to the degree that it is ready for a public workshop performance before the next stage of development for the theatrical stage in 2024.

Moniquie spoke about the process to date, the admiration that she has for Stella, and shared her excitement at the both the opportunity for the workshops presentations and the cast she has assembled for the workshops including Alma Zygier, Xani Kolac, Fem Belling, Esther Henderson, Sam Lemann, Cat Canteri, Ben Robertson, Adrian Perger, Kalina Krusteva, Zara Giacobello, Darcy Kent and Monique herself.

STELLA – The Miles Franklin Story is in workshop mode at The Jazzlab on October 6,7 & 8, 2023

Hear what Monique had to say when she spoke with David Moyle on Bent Notes in this podcast from JOY 94.9.

Monique diMattina was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday September 24, 2023
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Erika says that her vocals are a tribute to the Jazz greats, and that her songwriting pays homage to the Soul classics.

Hear what Erika has to say about her music, and hear her in a fabulous in-studio  performance of two of her compositions – BOUND (Erika’s first single as an independent artist in 2020) and Erika’s new single IN TIME, accompanied by guitarist Tavis Wardlow.

Erika’s EP including IN TIME releases towards the end of 2023.

Erika Ascenzo was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday August 13, 2023
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While in-studio James played Live-To-Air a piece from the new album , and discussed performing with his trio consisting of Bass Player Sam Anning and Drummer Danny Fischer.

The launch of The Verb not the Noun, referencing the fact that music is an active activty, will be held at The Jazzlab on Tuesday Octboer 17, 2023.

Keep an eye on Bandcamp from October 17, 2023 for The Verb not the Noun

Hear all that James had to say in this podcast from JOY 94.9

James Sherlock was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday September 24, 2023
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With Story Telling at the heart of his music, Luke spoke about his contemporary classical composition created during COVID lockdowns called ALL OF US, based upon a book called THE PLAGUE, written in 1947 by French novelist Albert Camus.

Luke also spoke about combining his Solo Piano and Jazz Trio in a single gig at The Count’s on Wednesday September 13, 2023

Hear what Luke had to say in this podcast from JOY 94.9

Luke Howard was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday August 27, 2023
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The result is the debut album for his +F:rst Sunn+ project.  (Yes, Stephen also talks about that spelling . . . .)

Hear Stephen talk about the project, as well as his interest in writing in text form about music, in this podcast from JOY 94.9.

Stephen Hornby was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday July 16, 2023
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Harry remembers the thrill of seeing and playing with guest musicians visiting the university during his study.

Harry’s QUIET COUNTRY project seeks to infuse originals and covers with a Country feel – developed after experiencing some country stylings on his Music of Paul Simon album.

The latest album from his Quiet Country project is called Sadness and Euphoria. Harry notes that composing music that is complex and busy is easy compared to the stretch involved in writing music that is simple and beautiful.

Hear what Harry had to say when he spoke with Bent Notes in this podcast from JOY 94.9.

Harry Mitchell was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday July 23, 2023
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Celebrating the trio takes the form of a gig where the trio will get together and play music from the five albums released across the 20 years as well as new tunes that Tim has ready to go.

Tim and Ben Robertson chat in this podcast about many Monday nights rehearsing upstairs at Tim’s home with drummer Dave Beck while building their friendships over a home cooked dinner ; their similar mindsets when it comes to chord voicings (and Tim’s challenging chord choices!) – as well as  a trip to Adelaide sharing the driving while trading BeBop phrases throughout the journey.

Both Tim and Ben agree that Improvissation is an ongoing Question and that perhaps their debut album – Nine Open Questions – may be a permanent set of open questions.

The Tim Stevens Trio celebrates their 20 year anniversary at The Jazzlab on Sunday August 13, 2023 – presented by the Melbourne Jazz Cooperative

Tim Stevens and Ben Robertson were guests of Bent Notes on Sunday July 23, 2023
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Jody and David have lived in France for some years, enjoying the Jazz scene across France.

Hear Jody talk about her finding her voice, and her approach to playing the sax – as well as her enthusiasm to visit and perform in Australia.

Jody and David will be performing with Melbourne pianist Mark Fitzgibbon at The Count’s (Melbourne Wednesday July 26, 2023), MONA (Hobart Monday  August 7, 2023) and the Jazzlab (Melbourne Friday August 11, 2023)

Checkout Jody’s brand new album – Castles in the Sand on your favourite online service.

Jody Sternberg and David Lewis were guests of Bent Notes on Sunday July 16, 2023
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Regretfully the Jazz world has not moved with as much speed to encourage, train and embrace an equal number of female artists as was hoped, but progress is occurring.

Getting back together again last year (2022) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their forming was so much fun that they decided to continue the experience with a few more shows, including at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Saturday July 15, 2023.

Checkout the MORGANA website for more information about Morgana.

Fiona Burnett and Sonja Horbelt were guests of Bent Notes on Sunday June 25, 2023
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Changing focus from Classical to Jazz during her university studies saw Michelle change focus to the traditional Jazz repertoire, but not lose that love of Bach, which was reinvigorated when asked by the Bach Festival at the University of Adelaide to present a ‘Jazzy’ Bach concert.

After almost ten years of gestation of this music, Michelle is releasing the album “The Bach Project” accompanied by her ensemble – Geoff Hughes (Guitar), Tom Lee (Double Bass) and Ronny Ferella (Drums).

Michelle is launching the album at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Tuesday July 4, 2023.

Michelle Nicolle was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday June 25, 2023
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Paul Grabowsky ‘Fascinatin’ Algorythm’

Paul spoke about his observation upon returning to Australia early in his career that Melbourne Jazz had stepped out with a new attitude while he had been in Germany, due in no small part to the pioneering work of Vince Jones; and how Paul has continued to develop his and Australia’s our own Jazz stylings through his attitude and approach to Jazz and music in general as being Relational.

Paul’s new work – Fascinatin’ Algorhythm – builds upon his sense of Relationship as being at the core of Jazz when relating the work of Torrio! with the work of the MSO – drawing an analogy of a Chaotic Skene through the Weave.  ( A little bit of controlled Chaos!)  Torrio! is Paul Grabowsky, Mirko Guerrini and Niko Schauble.

Mirko Guerrini, Niko Schauble ‘Fascinatin’ Algorythm’

Fascinatin’ Algorythm premiered at the Melbourne Recital Centre on May 18, 2023

Paul Grabowsky was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday May 7, 2023
Bent Notes – 2 hours of Jazz and Improvised Music – 7 o’clock Sunday nights
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Hear Robbie chat with David Moyle, about his favourite guitarists and his enthusiasm for accompanying Silent Movies in Central Victoria with Ronny Ferrella playing Drums.

Robbie is looking forward to his album launch tour commencing June 23,2023 where he will be playing the album supporting the screening of the movie Tangled Trails!

Robbie’s latest album – Tangled Trails – can be found on Bandcamp.

Robbie Melville was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday May 28, 2023

Bent Notes – 2 hours of Jazz and Improvised Music – 7 o’clock Sunday nights
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David Lewis is looking forward to a series of shows at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in June this year when he brings the Paris Combo to Adelaide to celebrate in three very special shows their tribute to their late vocalist and band leader Belle Du Berry.

David Lewis also recalls the process of the evolution of the Paris Combo from a covers band to a band that plays original songs when he spoke with David Moyle on Bent Notes recently.

The Paris Combo performs three times at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival across the weekend of June 9-11 in what will be the final outing of the band.

David Lewis was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday May 28, 2023

Bent Notes – 2 hours of Jazz and Improvised Music – 7 o’clock Sunday nights
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Whilst in London Nina met vocalist Brendan Reilly – this was the start of an ongoing musical friendship and the search for opportunities to perform since then.

Hear Nina chat about her warm memories of London, and her enthusiasm for performing with Brendan again on June 4, 2023 at The Jazzlab.

Nina Ferro was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday May 21, 0223
Bent Notes – 2 hours of Jazz and Improvised Music – 7 o’clock Sunday nights
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The MJC provides our Jazz musicians an opportunity to try something new, and to perform with other musicians they may not normally play with.

MJC gigs were held for many years at the Bennet’s Lane Jazz Club prior to its closure, and more recently at The Jazzlab on a Sunday night.

The MJC’s 40th Anniversary Concert will be held at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Friday May 26, 2023, and features a huge roster of amazing musicians including a 24 piece MJC Orchestra led by Vanessa Perica premiering a work called JUMPING YAKS comosed by Erkki Veltheim, Erik Griswold, Eugene Ball and Niko Schauble; and musicians including Mike Nock, Paul Grabowsky, Barney McAll, Sandy Evans, Andrea Keller, Stephen Magnusson, Julien Wilson and Mirko Guerrini.

Martin Jackson was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday May 7, 0223
Bent Notes – 2 hours of Jazz and Improvised Music – 7 o’clock Sunday nights
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Trumpeter and pianist David Lewis visited the Bent Notes Studio to chat about the latest album from the Paris Combo, an album released in memory of their late vocalist and composer Belle Du Berry.

Hear David talk about his meeting Belle and together bringing their Jazz ensemble Paris Combo to the stage.

The album is a tribute to the work of Belle, who passed away before the album was released.

A gig in tribute to Belle has been held in Paris, with David working to hold an Australian Tribute gig in the near future.

(Since this interview the Paris Combo have locked in to Celebrate the Songs of Belle Du Berry at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival June 9-11, 2023)

David Lewis was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday December 18, 2022
Bent Notes – 2 hours of Jazz and Improvised Music – 7 o’clock Sunday nights
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The post David Lewis chats Paris Combo and the music of Belle Du Berry appeared first on Bent Notes.

Singing with others!!

Vocalist and composer Nina Ferro visited the Bent Notes Studio and spoke of the Joy she feels when listening to, or participating in, groups of people singing together – whether that be a huge choir, or a 2-3 piece ensemble.

Singing harmonies is an aspect of singing that requires some practice, but adds so much to the enjoyment by the audience of the sound produced.

Nina is performing with two other amazing Melbourne vocalists – stalwarts of the Melbourne Jazz Scene- Nichaud Fitzgibbon and Julie O’Hara – to bring beutiful music and harmonies to Mother’s Day at the Memo Music Hall, accompanied by a swinging quartet.

Hear what Nina had to say in this Podcast from Bent Notes on JOY 94.9

Checkout Memo Music Hall for all the deatils.

Nina Ferro was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday May 7, 2023
Bent Notes – 2 hours of Jazz and Improvised Music – 7 o’clock Sunday nights
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The post The Joys of Singing with Nina appeared first on Bent Notes.

The 32 new Jazz songs are being composed in the Jazz styling format of the jazz songs of the “Great American Songbook”, these new songs are being composed by Mark to add to the Aussie repertoire of this great music styling.

Find more information about Mark’s 32 Bars project at the 32 Bars website – 32bars.com.au

Jennifer Salisbury and Mark Morand were guests of Bent Notes on Sunday April 16, 2023
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The post 32 Bars Number 12 – I Prefer To Swing appeared first on Bent Notes.

Cheryl spoke of the thrill of being commisioned to write a large work and to have it performed at the MIJF festival this year, and the opportunity provided for Cheryl to mentor and educate students across schools in Victoria during the year.

Hear Cheryl in this podcast from Bent Notes.

Cheryl Durongpisitkul was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday April 23, 2023
Bent Notes – 2 hours of Jazz and Improvised Music – 7 o’clock Sunday nights
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Adam spoke about the history of International Jazz day, established by UNESCO in 2011 and co-chaired by Herbie Hancock.

Jazz in the Square is a free event in The Edge at Federation Square in Melbourne, kicking off at 1pm, with a Gala Performance to end the day from 7:30pm.

Hear Adam talk about the Jazz to be experienced at The Edge, including the Salvo Bigband, Origami with Wang Zheng-Ting, Kennedy Snow, Paul Williamson’s Hammond Combo, ZÖJ, and the Aaron Choulai Trio

Adam Simmons was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday April 23, 2023
Bent Notes – 2 hours of Jazz and Improvised Music – 7 o’clock Sunday nights
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Christine Manetta loved singing when she was at school – especially performing as part of her school’s productions, however as often happens life takes over after school and Christine traveled a different path including a teaching and scientific career and motherhood. 

Christine’s love of music and performing never went away, and has resurfaced years later when the opportunity arose for Christine to take on the challenge of retraining her voice, putting a repertoire and band together, and recording her debut album – One Woman, One Day, with Adam Rudegeair as Musical Director and keys player.

Hear about Christine’s life and her delayed launch into singing as a profession in this podcast from Bent Notes on JOY 94.9.

Christine Manetta was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday January 15, 2023
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Ritual Diamonds is Christopher’s brand new album, made in collaboration with Korean drumming innovator Woo Minyoung and some of Australia’s great jazz artists, including saxophonist Jamie Oehlers, pianist Andrea Keller, and drummer Simon Barker.

Catch all the details of the album (Digital, CD and Vinyl) and descriptions of each track on Bandcamp

Christopher Hale was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday February 26, 2023
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For the 6th year in a row this amazing trio are putting their combined memory effort to the test to recall the harmonies they sang last year!

They also spoke about the Joy of getting back to singing in front of an audience, and their concerns about how we keep people keen to come along to shows and clubs to hear live music.

Nina, Fem and Belinda are performing with special guest Matt Hetherington at the Memo Music Hall on Sunday December 18 – more details from memomusichall.com

Belinda Parsons, Fem Belling and Nina Ferro were guests of Bent Notes on Sunday November 27, 2022
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The Wastelands album ORACLES was developed as part of the Emergence concert series supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.  Wastelands are Harry Tinney, Angus Radley (bass) and Felix Blossom (drums).

Harry also spoke about his experience as a finalist in the National Jazz Awards this year, held at the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues.

Hear Harry talk about his process of turning his experiences into music, and how he views his work on this album as a cathartic experience.

Harry Tinney was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday November 27, 2022
Bent Notes – 2 hours of Jazz and Improvised Music – 7 o’clock Sunday nights
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(possibly titled “Way Back When”)

Hear Julien talk about creating these albums incorporating technology along the way, getting back to live face to face gigs – including performing solo (without technology) in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Wangaratta for the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues; and the joy of getting back on-stage at the festival with the THIS WORLD quartet.

Julien mentions one effects pedal which caused him to sit entranced watching it for ten minutes while it did its thing!  He also tells us about performing solo on stage – something that he has never done before.

The two new albums are called MEDITATIONS (meditative – lots of loopers and delays) and MUTATIONS (slightly weirder, a bit conversational – and mutated) – more details on both albums – available as digital downloads or Vinyl – from bandcamp.  (also available in hi-resolution 24bit/96kHz download)

Julien Wilson was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday November 13, 2022
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Leigh chatted online from Champagne-sur-Siene just before leaving for Australia to launch the two albums and undertake an Australian tour (Vic, NSW, ACT, SA, TAS) with his Melbourne band from November 14 – December 18, playing the classic sounds of the golden era of American Jazz – but with senses of Leigh’s Melbourne and Parisian bands.

Hear what Leigh had to say in this podcast from Bent Notes on JOY 94.9.

Checkout the MELBOURNE and PARIS albums on Bandcamp

Leigh Barker was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday November 13, 2022
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However, during lockdown Tim decided that he would play one piece a day – being a combination of his own compositions, improvisations and standards – starting with the Londonderry Air – to which he received a huge response, encouraging him to include more standards into his “Quarantunes“, as Tim calls them.

Post lockdowns, the idea for Tim’s first album of standards germinated – the result of which is an album called The Ace Of Hearts is High, a collection of 10 great standards, given the Tim Stevens treatment, and featuring an image on the front cover that Tim took himself of a now non-existent MILK BAR sign on a local building. The final piece was a late entry as Tim realised before the session ended that he did not have a Waltz – he chose to place Disney’s When You Wish Upon A Star as the Waltz for the album. (interestingly it is not written as a waltz, but it comes across beautifully – a must hear piece)

Hear Tim talk about the recording process, enjoying the sounds of so many pianos across studios and performance spaces, and his want for Australian Jazz  history to be better studied, researched and known by the public.

The Ace Of Hearts Is High is available on Bandcamp.

Tim Stevens was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday September 25, 2022
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Angela also chatted about her latest work – SUITE FOR MAX, composed as part of the ABC Fresh Start commission and inspired by her experiences as a new mother.

Angela will be performing the work with bass player, Sam Anning, guitarist Stephen Magnusson and drummer Patrick Danao at this year’s Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues on Saturday October 29, 2022.

Angela Davis was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday October 23, 2022
Bent Notes – 2 hours of Jazz and Improvised Music – 7 o’clock Sunday nights
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Julius makes his festival debut performing three times twice at the 2022 Wangarratta Festival of Jazz and Blues – with his trio; with Scott Tinkler; as well as being a finalist in the National Jazz Awards.

Hear what Julius had to say in this podcast from Bent Notes on JOY 94.9

Julius Schwing was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday October 16, 2022
Bent Notes – 2 hours of Jazz and Improvised Music – 7 o’clock Sunday nights
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The post Julius discovered Guitar Touch on Bruny Island appeared first on Bent Notes.

Eamon describes how he his love of music is built around the detail of the music and how that detail enables people to be expressive through how they phrase their performance – and learning the trumpet because there were no violins available!

The Skellingtons are performing their swinging sounds of the evocative music of the 30’s and 40’s at this years Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues.

Eamon McNelis was guest of Bent Notes on Sunday October 9, 2022
Bent Notes – 2 hours of Jazz and Improvised Music – 7 o’clock Sunday nights
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The post Eamon’s Skellington’s go to Wang appeared first on Bent Notes.