- Liane Morris
All that Jazz! Newcastle Jazz Festival Marks 35 Years
Newcastle Jazz Festival is celebrating 35 years and is one of Australia's longest-running jazz festivals.
Set to hit the stages of the iconic Newcastle City Hall from 23 to 25 August, the festival has earned an enviable reputation among music fans and attracts a passionate and loyal following that comes from as far afield as New Zealand.
The 35th Newcastle Jazz Festival will provide a rich variety of music with over 40 bands featuring jazz styles from Traditional Jazz, Mainstream, Swing, Blues, Contemporary, Jazz Orchestras, Gospel, Gypsy, Bebop, Smooth, Fusion and Big Band. Some of Australia's and the Hunter's finest musicians will provide a wide range of styles designed to cater for every taste. With four rooms and dance areas all under one roof, it’s designed and curated so that patrons can move from one stage to another, totally immersing themselves in the musical experience.
Sheriden Nelson, musician and President of the Newcastle Jazz Club, is proud of the rich history of jazz and jazz musicians that the city of Newcastle has enjoyed.
“This festival has been running for 35 years, which is an amazing achievement,” said Sheriden.
“There was one year when the festival was cancelled due to COVID, but other than that, it’s been ongoing.
“The Newcastle Jazz Club has over 400 members now, but it began with just a handful of musos and jazz fans wanting to ensure that the genre continued to be enjoyed in our region. The objective is to support live jazz in Newcastle and the Hunter. Newcastle audiences love live music of all genres and the local jazz scene is alive and well.”
Sheriden refers to the fact that local jazz musos have a monthly concert at Souths Merewether, plus NIMA (Newcastle Improvised Music Association) holds a jazz performance every Tuesday at the Grand Hotel and has done so for the past 14 years. Then, about 18 months ago, NIMA and the Jazz Club joined forces to form a jazz jam night on Thursdays. There is a rotation of house bands with a different house band every week, offering variety and the chance to play with a wide range of Newcastle's finest jazz musicians.
“The festival has changed over the years, it used to have a street parade and different performances over a range of venues. Now it’s held in one conveniently located space. Over the years, it’s been held at the Racecourse and Wests but is now held at the City Hall. We attract around 1,000 people every year over the three days, and 44% of people have been to one of our festivals six times or more. In fact, 28% of our audience have attended at least ten of our festivals!
“Anecdotally, we’ve noticed a gradual growth in the number of younger audience members over the past few years. There has been a deliberate decision to include young, modern bands to attract younger audiences. We often get school children who are studying music coming, and people bring their small children. It’s an inclusive space, and it’s quite wonderful to see such a large range of age groups coming to enjoy the music. The festival is designed so that you can choose your highlights, then experiment by moving from room to room, meeting people, chatting about the music, having a dance and immersing yourself in a top-quality musical experience.”
The festival draws on talent of its own, with several Newcastle-born and bred artists having achieved international success, returning to support the festival and their fellow musicians. This year’s festival features two former Newcastle musos who have becom internationally recognised. Nicki Parrott is a double bass player and vocalist who has spent the past 25 years in New York and has just moved back to Australia. Adrian Mears, trombone player, is also a well-known and respected jazz player and composer. Adrian has been teaching in Mannheim Conservatorium for 10 years, as well as 2 years in Cologne Conservatorium and is currently Professor at the Basel Musik Academie (Switzerland) for Trombone and Ear Training for the past 20 years. Both artists performed last year much to the delight of both the audiences and their fellow musicians.
“Last year they played together, and then Adrian went on to play with a whole bunch of other musicians and bands, including some of the youngest performers,” said Sheriden.
“It’s such a great opportunity for the young players to experience the skill and to share the stage with someone of his calibre. He’s highly respected and accomplished; it’s heartwarming to see him sharing his skills and expertise with local musos.”
Other acts of note include the Newcastle Jazz Club patron and trumpeter Bob Henderson and his band performing with vocalist Joy Yates, the Andy Firth Quartet performing a variety of jazz styles from Swing and Latin to Be Bop in his unique style. Andy Firth is another Newcastle born musician who has enjoyed international success as a composer and clarinettist. Geoff Bull and the Finer Cuts are playing traditional jazz with Kate Wadey on vocals. Geoff is another experienced musician who makes it a point to play with younger musicians.
Fish Fry, performing Jive Jazz with Justin Collins on vocals, is enjoying its 30th anniversary and is an audience favourite across Newcastle and the Hunter. Local band 3 Degrees presents a mash-up of hip-hop and jazz with rappers and a horn section and brings together some of Newcastle’s finest jazz musicians in a more contemporary style. The Kearney Quintet performing jazz fusion, as well as some funk and swing from emerging jazz musicians, is a great example of how the Newcastle jazz scene nurtures its own.
“The two brothers that feature in the Kearney Quintet came to a jazz jam because their teacher was in the house band,” said Sheriden.
“He encouraged them to have a go and get on stage. They blew everyone away with their improvisations, their passion and their delivery. We are keen to nurture young performers like them. They’re still in high school. Now, they regularly play, and we’ve gifted them a membership and invited them to put a band together for this year’s festival. They’re playing on Sunday morning, and it’s exciting!”
The curator of the festival Doug Saxon, sadly passed away late last month. He will be greatly missed by all who love jazz and play jazz in Newcastle and beyond. Doug was one of the longest-serving members of the club. Curating such a large number of bands and musicians is no easy task, with many musicians playing across multiple bands. Getting the balance and blend of acts right is a labour of love and a critical part of the festival.
The entire program and timetable can be viewed on the website at www.newcastlejazz.com.au/jazz-festival. There is onsite catering available, cafes nearby, lifts to make movement easy for the older patrons, and a central city location close to public transport.
Prices have been kept as low as possible, enabling pensioners and students to attend easily. A full three-day pass is $141, but individual session times are also available from $45 to $89, depending on the session. For students aged 14 to 18, a three-day pass is just $40, and individual sessions are $18. For children under 13, the cost is just $1. Session times are Friday, 23 August, 5pm-10pm; Saturday Day, 24 August, 10am-5pm; Saturday Night, 25 August, 6.30pm-10pm; Sunday, 25 August, 10am-4.30pm. Tickets can be purchased through www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au
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