Friday 24th November 2023 - The Jazz Kings
A superb gig to bring a fitting close to a year of top-flight music. ‘The Jazz Kings’ left us in no doubt why they are currently rated among the top outfits on the North Coast. Each of them – Nicole Parker-Brown on vocals, Peter Uppman on vocals and trumpet (sometimes almost at the same time), Gordon Matheson on guitar, Col Atkinson on bass and yet more vocals, and Jose McLaughlin on keyboards – is an accomplished performer in their own right, and in combination they are a musical powerhouse to be reckoned with.
It was an evening of eclectic mix, from popular jazz standards, through blues arrangements that will be appearing on their latest album, to occasional dips into the classical realms, and a few nostalgic ‘pop’ reminiscences. Among the favourites were their own arrangements of evergreens such as ‘Night and Day,’ ‘All Of Me’, ‘Misty’, ‘Georgia On My Mind’ and ‘Making Whoopee’.
Jose even gave a nod towards his earlier career as keyboard player and musical director of ‘Gerry and the Pacemakers’ with his updated arrangements of ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’ and ‘Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying’. All in all, a great end to 2023, and the Club Committee took time at the end to wish all members and visitors a happy and safe Xmas and a prosperous New Year. If it promises music of the same quality as this past year, then we’ll have no complaints.
It was an evening of eclectic mix, from popular jazz standards, through blues arrangements that will be appearing on their latest album, to occasional dips into the classical realms, and a few nostalgic ‘pop’ reminiscences. Among the favourites were their own arrangements of evergreens such as ‘Night and Day,’ ‘All Of Me’, ‘Misty’, ‘Georgia On My Mind’ and ‘Making Whoopee’.
Jose even gave a nod towards his earlier career as keyboard player and musical director of ‘Gerry and the Pacemakers’ with his updated arrangements of ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’ and ‘Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying’. All in all, a great end to 2023, and the Club Committee took time at the end to wish all members and visitors a happy and safe Xmas and a prosperous New Year. If it promises music of the same quality as this past year, then we’ll have no complaints.
Friday 27th October 2023 - The Magnificence
Outside, the weather was as rough as it gets, but inside the music was a smooth as ever, and those who braved the wind and rain were treated to two hours of jazz with a bluesy flavour, jazz with a New Orleans kick, and jazzy interpretations of some old favourites. Five accomplished musos who rightly call themselves ‘The Magnificence’, and who have clearly been playing together for so long that they never missed a cue or a beat, delivered a varied bill of fare that kept feet tapping and dancers dancing, humming familiar melodies as they took ‘time out’ from the dance floor.
Some good old stomping New Orleans standards, of which ‘Bourbon Street Parade’ was perhaps the stand-out, mixed with selections from their latest blues inspired CD, and interspersed with novel ‘takes’ on slower ballads such as ‘Maggie’, ‘Careless Love’ and ‘Tennessee Waltz’. Their inevitable tribute to Satchmo came at the very end, as they closed the night with ‘What a Wonderful World’. The gods must have been listening in, because as we headed for the car park with happy thoughts it had stopped raining.
Some good old stomping New Orleans standards, of which ‘Bourbon Street Parade’ was perhaps the stand-out, mixed with selections from their latest blues inspired CD, and interspersed with novel ‘takes’ on slower ballads such as ‘Maggie’, ‘Careless Love’ and ‘Tennessee Waltz’. Their inevitable tribute to Satchmo came at the very end, as they closed the night with ‘What a Wonderful World’. The gods must have been listening in, because as we headed for the car park with happy thoughts it had stopped raining.
Friday 29th September 2023 - TaylorMade Blues
Another great evening’s live music, as the four talented members of ‘TaylorMade Blues’ filled the room with two hours of ‘no prisoners’ Blues. Twelve bar in its many manifestations, with a repertoire so varied as to incorporate offerings from Ray Charles (‘The Outskirts of Town’), T-Bone Walker (‘The T-Bone Shuffle’), Booker T (‘Green Onions’) and Mark Knopfler (‘I Think I Love you Too Much’).
The floor was almost permanently filled with dancers, and the audience size was little smaller by the end of the evening than it had been at the start. Full marks to Lee Taylor for his sizzling guitar licks, Moemai ES losia (“‘Sos’ to you”) for full-bodied keyboard and backing vocals support, Terry Eaves for a pounding bass that never let up all evening, and Martijn Warren for the percussive talent that held it all together.
The floor was almost permanently filled with dancers, and the audience size was little smaller by the end of the evening than it had been at the start. Full marks to Lee Taylor for his sizzling guitar licks, Moemai ES losia (“‘Sos’ to you”) for full-bodied keyboard and backing vocals support, Terry Eaves for a pounding bass that never let up all evening, and Martijn Warren for the percussive talent that held it all together.
Friday 25th August 2023 - Peaches and the Alphasonics
Another great night of music from a superb band, and like all the previous gigs since we returned to the Condong Bowlo, we could have been in any top venue anywhere in the world, listening to the finest music available, but at a modest price that hardly reflected the quality of what was on offer.
This time it was the turn of ‘Peaches and the Alphasonics’ to demonstrate what a full sound can come from four dedicated musos at the top of their game, only three of them armed with instruments. A slap bass being played the way it was designed for, a skilled drummer egging on the bassist, and one of the finest blues guitarists this side of the pond, it was topped by a vocalist whose voice combined the lure of Peggy Lee, the authenticity of Aretha Franklin, and the power to strip paint.
Congratulations to our committee for yet another memorable night, recreating the sound that lured blues into rock and roll without losing its raw origins. Where do you find these bands?
This time it was the turn of ‘Peaches and the Alphasonics’ to demonstrate what a full sound can come from four dedicated musos at the top of their game, only three of them armed with instruments. A slap bass being played the way it was designed for, a skilled drummer egging on the bassist, and one of the finest blues guitarists this side of the pond, it was topped by a vocalist whose voice combined the lure of Peggy Lee, the authenticity of Aretha Franklin, and the power to strip paint.
Congratulations to our committee for yet another memorable night, recreating the sound that lured blues into rock and roll without losing its raw origins. Where do you find these bands?
Friday 28th July 2023 - The Parrot : Baartz Project
What a gig! A capacity crowd, wooed by four of the finest Aussie jazz musos – all of them from the Northern Rivers! – who between them held the audience in their hands as they reminded us of why it’s so important to keep venues like ours open. Led by internationally acclaimed Nicki Parrot on upright bass and vocals, ably and gleefully assisted by Club favourite Martha Baartz on sax and flute, with Steve Russell making a welcome return on keyboards, and the never flagging Dave Sanders on drums, it was truly a tribute to the talent that has been nurtured over the years by local venues and inspired teachers passing on their legacy.
It was an eclectic mix, with standards such as ‘There’s a kind of hush’ and ‘We’ve only just begun’ mixed in with up-tempo versions of favourites such as ‘I can see clearly now’ and ‘The girl from Ipanema’. They took the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Tony Bennett with a soulful rendition of ‘The very thought of you,’ before recalling the song-writing skills of Willie Nelson and the haunting vocals of Patsy Clyne with their own version of ‘Crazy’
They sure know how to work an audience, most of whom joined in behind Nikki at her invitation when she offered up some of the better known numbers in their extensive repertoire. An audience that left them in no doubt about how much they were appreciated as they applauded ecstatically, and remained to the very end.
It was an eclectic mix, with standards such as ‘There’s a kind of hush’ and ‘We’ve only just begun’ mixed in with up-tempo versions of favourites such as ‘I can see clearly now’ and ‘The girl from Ipanema’. They took the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Tony Bennett with a soulful rendition of ‘The very thought of you,’ before recalling the song-writing skills of Willie Nelson and the haunting vocals of Patsy Clyne with their own version of ‘Crazy’
They sure know how to work an audience, most of whom joined in behind Nikki at her invitation when she offered up some of the better known numbers in their extensive repertoire. An audience that left them in no doubt about how much they were appreciated as they applauded ecstatically, and remained to the very end.
Friday 30th June 2023 - The Gold Coast Big Band
You could almost see the glitter ball hanging from the ceiling, and catch the passing wafts of Sandalwood perfume and Brilliantine, as we hunkered down against the cold night air outside for an evening of nostalgia, courtesy of the Gold Coast Big Band who finally made it to the Club after previous provisional bookings were disrupted by COVID and floods.
There’s nothing like sixteen accomplished and dedicated musos on stage, playing in tune, in time, and in the Condong Bowlo! Their selection was eclectic, ranging from Miles Davis to the Beach Boys, but the hard core came from the likes of Sinatra, Porter and Basie, with classics such as ‘I’ve got you under my skin’, ‘A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square’, ‘Call me irresponsible’ and ‘How high the moon’ taking most of us back to our splendour days.
As ever, our grateful thanks to those behind the scenes who organised and staged such a rewarding and enjoyable night out among friends.
There’s nothing like sixteen accomplished and dedicated musos on stage, playing in tune, in time, and in the Condong Bowlo! Their selection was eclectic, ranging from Miles Davis to the Beach Boys, but the hard core came from the likes of Sinatra, Porter and Basie, with classics such as ‘I’ve got you under my skin’, ‘A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square’, ‘Call me irresponsible’ and ‘How high the moon’ taking most of us back to our splendour days.
As ever, our grateful thanks to those behind the scenes who organised and staged such a rewarding and enjoyable night out among friends.
Friday 26th May 2023 - The Trombone Kellie Gang
A packed house for our May gig saw the welcome return of one of our favourite bands, The Trombone Kellie Gang, for two hours of jazz, blues, rockabilly, rock and gospel that proved yet again why this band are rapidly becoming the most popular outfit between Lismore and Noosa.
A tight back line of Toby Baron on drums and startlingly good occasional vocals, and Justin Pfeiffer on old-time upright bass, laid down the rhythmic bed that was all that was needed by the man with ten fingers on each hand, and a ‘slide’ up his sleeve, Peter ‘Scrubby’ Hurcombe, on several guitars, although not at the same time – even Scrubby can’t manage that.
The upfront star of the lineup, as ever, was Kellie Barnett, whose ability to switch from rasping trombone to belting vocals that are a challenge to the sinuses never ceases to amaze, and was all the more remarkable for the fact that she was recovering from a chest infection earlier in the week! And finally, the cherry on the cake, the ever-talented and much loved Martha Baartz on sax, providing an effortless counterpoint to Kellie’s trombone, and the riffs being laid down by her other partners in harmony.
A great night that led to the inevitable encore, and shouts of ‘more’ from the audience that had barely lost a single member by the time it all had to end – the true measure of a quality performance.
A tight back line of Toby Baron on drums and startlingly good occasional vocals, and Justin Pfeiffer on old-time upright bass, laid down the rhythmic bed that was all that was needed by the man with ten fingers on each hand, and a ‘slide’ up his sleeve, Peter ‘Scrubby’ Hurcombe, on several guitars, although not at the same time – even Scrubby can’t manage that.
The upfront star of the lineup, as ever, was Kellie Barnett, whose ability to switch from rasping trombone to belting vocals that are a challenge to the sinuses never ceases to amaze, and was all the more remarkable for the fact that she was recovering from a chest infection earlier in the week! And finally, the cherry on the cake, the ever-talented and much loved Martha Baartz on sax, providing an effortless counterpoint to Kellie’s trombone, and the riffs being laid down by her other partners in harmony.
A great night that led to the inevitable encore, and shouts of ‘more’ from the audience that had barely lost a single member by the time it all had to end – the true measure of a quality performance.
Friday 28th April 2023 - Harry Lynn And The Warblers
A change of pace this month, with a night of nostalgia from Harry Lynn and the Warblers. Harry himself was on the keyboard, with excellent backline support from Les Kafoa on drums and John Edwards on bass, while up front it was a non-stop delivery from the very talented and seemingly inexhaustible George Harvey and Beth Hamilton. Examples of the standards that were revised and given new life were ‘Summertime’, ‘Blue Skies’, ‘The lady is a tramp’, ‘Unforgettable, ‘Georgia on my mind’ and ‘Blue moon’.
At the end of the night the highly appreciative audience were still demanding more, which is always a good sign.
At the end of the night the highly appreciative audience were still demanding more, which is always a good sign.
Friday 31st March 2023 - Slips and The Flaming Whippersnappers
Lots of words might be employed to describe this month’s gig, but WOW! Just about covers it.
They may look like Australia’s answer to the Soggy Bottom Boys – one of them dressed in what looked like his pyjama bottoms – but ‘Slips and The Flaming Whippersnappers’ served up a selection of jazz and blues that sounded so authentic that you could almost smell the bayous at low tide.
A near capacity crowd cheered, sang, dance, clapped, stomped and hooted to the final note, and we were once again reminded of how fortunate we are to be able to hear music of this quality in the Murwillumbah area.
Top marks to the Club for the third winner in a row.
They may look like Australia’s answer to the Soggy Bottom Boys – one of them dressed in what looked like his pyjama bottoms – but ‘Slips and The Flaming Whippersnappers’ served up a selection of jazz and blues that sounded so authentic that you could almost smell the bayous at low tide.
A near capacity crowd cheered, sang, dance, clapped, stomped and hooted to the final note, and we were once again reminded of how fortunate we are to be able to hear music of this quality in the Murwillumbah area.
Top marks to the Club for the third winner in a row.
Friday 24th February 2023 - Sweet Thunder Jazz Orchestra
Not even the foul weather deterred another capacity crowd from basking in the sunshine of the best music played by the best musicians, this time in the accomplished collective that call themselves ‘Sweet Thunder’. When thirteen talented artists in their own right can deliver a two hour programme without a single wrong note, you can be sure that you’re on to a winner.
The dancers threatened to wear a hole in the floor as the band not only raided the Ellington and Basie repertoire, but also delivered such favourites as ‘All of Me’, “A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square’, ‘The more I see you”, ‘September in the Rain’ and ‘Satin Doll’. Led, as usual, by pianist and conductor Rick Best, and with the inimitable Col Jones in the trumpet line-up in the back row, it was another reminder of how good local music can get, and how it’s still possible to have a great night out without taking out a second mortgage.
The dancers threatened to wear a hole in the floor as the band not only raided the Ellington and Basie repertoire, but also delivered such favourites as ‘All of Me’, “A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square’, ‘The more I see you”, ‘September in the Rain’ and ‘Satin Doll’. Led, as usual, by pianist and conductor Rick Best, and with the inimitable Col Jones in the trumpet line-up in the back row, it was another reminder of how good local music can get, and how it’s still possible to have a great night out without taking out a second mortgage.
Friday 27th January 2023 - Mojo Webb Band
What a fantastic start to the 2023 gig season! A capacity crowd in our favourite club venue, the fully restored and reconstituted Condong Bowlo, with one of our favourite guests, the Mojo Webb Band. The threatened storm didn’t eventuate, except on stage, where Mojo picked, strummed, sang and blew his heart out, supported as ever by J. B. Lewis on bass, Coogie Timms on drums and back-up vocals, and our club’s own Peter ‘Scrubby’ Hurcombe sitting in on guitar whenever Mojo felt inspired to blow his harp down the mic.
Even the caterers were new, and received the only standing ovation ever given to kitchen staff when compere Scrubby invited members and visitors to show their appreciation. All in all a great night, with promise of more to come.
Even the caterers were new, and received the only standing ovation ever given to kitchen staff when compere Scrubby invited members and visitors to show their appreciation. All in all a great night, with promise of more to come.
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© 2017 Tweed Valley Jazz And Blues Club Inc
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