Friday 29th June 2018 - The BlueSkillet Rovers
It was definitely a case of ‘Something Completely Different’ for the June gig, when the BlueSkillet Rovers came down from the hills with an acoustic-inspired energy that made ‘The Soggy Bottom Boys’ look like a church choir. Featuring guitar, duelling banjos, trombone, double bass and trumpet, and relying heavily on a tried and tested twelve bar blues format, the band never stopped for one hilarious moment as they provoked two and a half hours of member foot-tapping laced with a humour that wouldn’t please your maiden aunt.
A special shout out for band leader Miss Jodie, armed not only with a stand-up drum kit that featured a bird whistle, but with both a head mike and a kazoo on a wire frame. Her seemingly inexhaustible vocals drove the rest of the band on in a night of musical mayhem that will remain long in the memories of the substantial and appreciative audience.
A special shout out for band leader Miss Jodie, armed not only with a stand-up drum kit that featured a bird whistle, but with both a head mike and a kazoo on a wire frame. Her seemingly inexhaustible vocals drove the rest of the band on in a night of musical mayhem that will remain long in the memories of the substantial and appreciative audience.
Friday 25th May 2018 - The Whopping Big Band
The May gig was energetic proof of life after school music classes, as sixteen eager young musicians from as far afield as Longreach and Lismore came together in their regular grouping of ‘The Whopping Big Band’ to delight members in a full programme of big band favourites, jazz standards and even television theme tunes.
Led by talented and dedicated music teachers, these engaging young performers, ranging in age from ten to twenty-something, have kept the dream alive by meeting and rehearsing one evening a week, then demonstrating their combined abilities in a full programme of horn, reed and percussion virtuosity that left the audience in no doubt that the music genre will live on in younger hands even though the rest of us grow older and greyer.
Led by talented and dedicated music teachers, these engaging young performers, ranging in age from ten to twenty-something, have kept the dream alive by meeting and rehearsing one evening a week, then demonstrating their combined abilities in a full programme of horn, reed and percussion virtuosity that left the audience in no doubt that the music genre will live on in younger hands even though the rest of us grow older and greyer.
Friday 27 April 2018 - George Washingmachine Quartet
It was a full house, with ‘standing room only’ in places, for the April gig, and the long-awaited return of perennial club favourite George Washingmachine and his talented band of wandering troubadours. Despite being one of Australia’s enduring jazz ambassadors, touring the world and recently returned from Latin America, George always expresses his fondness for the TVJC and its warmly appreciative audience. With the multi-instrumental Clare O’Meara on accordion and fiddle, son Arthur on guitar, and Stan Valacos playing a slimline upright bass that looked more like a coat stand, George served up his usual consummate fare of gypsy jazz fiddle, unique vocal styling and dry humour for an evening’s entertainment that none who experienced it will forget until it’s time to welcome George back again.
Webmaster's note: 115 patrons - well done guys!!!
Friday 23 March 2018 - Bags Of Groove
Great ‘vibes’ all round at the March gig, with ‘Bags of Groove’ reminding us of the mellow flavour that the vibraphone brings to modern jazz. Led by versatile pianist Glen Shepherd, it proved to be a family affair, with Glenn’s daughter Catharina Kemp blending her stunning talents on various reed instruments with husband Dave Kemp’s updated vibraphone classics from the likes of Milt (Bags) Jackson and the Modern Jazz Quartet. In the backline, the seamless support of Val Jones on bass and Richie Seymour on drums completed a wonderful evening’s reminder of why jazz will never die.
Friday 23 February 2018 - Andrew Baxter's "A Brief History Of The Blues"
Andrew Baxter guitar and vocals - Greg Baker harmonica and vocals - Rebecca Bruce vocals - Martha Baartz saxophone -
Chris Hartley piano and hammond organ - David Fergusson bass - Cvitan Barac drums with Trombone Kelly sitting in.
Chris Hartley piano and hammond organ - David Fergusson bass - Cvitan Barac drums with Trombone Kelly sitting in.
Another great February gig for Tweed Valley Jazz and Blues, as over ninety avid blues fans braved the heavy rain for a joyful fix of their favourite music genre in the capable hands of local adept Andrew Baxter and his handpicked selection of instrumental and vocal virtuosos.
Beginning with the early form of the style, with acoustic guitar and accompanying harmonica, Andrew slowly added to the collection of instruments on stage, as his magical musical tour demonstrated how the music went north and became a more sophisticated version of what had started life on southern street corners and in smoky bars.
By the end of his final set, with drums, bass, harmonica, keyboards, sax and trombone, and with an inspired vocalist telling it the way it still is, the dancers were exhausted, and even those still seated had cramp in the toes they had been tapping. A great musical experience that was well worth the admission price.
Beginning with the early form of the style, with acoustic guitar and accompanying harmonica, Andrew slowly added to the collection of instruments on stage, as his magical musical tour demonstrated how the music went north and became a more sophisticated version of what had started life on southern street corners and in smoky bars.
By the end of his final set, with drums, bass, harmonica, keyboards, sax and trombone, and with an inspired vocalist telling it the way it still is, the dancers were exhausted, and even those still seated had cramp in the toes they had been tapping. A great musical experience that was well worth the admission price.
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© 2017 Tweed Valley Jazz And Blues Club Inc
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