Article: What's on: Live Jazz in Canberra - July 1997

with Tony Magee


Hi and welcome to this new column featuring news of forthcoming jazz performances in Canberra!

The Canberra Southern Cross Club launched series two of A Motorcade of Jazz on Thursday 19th June with The Jim Latta Band and continues through July with some great concerts. On Thursday 3rd, The New Wolverines Jazz Orchestra will perform "vintage hot dance hits of the 20's and 30's". Twice guest performers at the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival in Iowa, USA, the New Wolverines are a seven piece ensemble with many players doubling at least six horns. 

The Galapagos Duck are almost thirty years old. Formed in 1969, the group will be featured on the 17th July, with original member Willie Qua making his Canberra return debut on the night. The Duck's music draws on Latin, traditional, blues, bebop and modern themes to create their unique jazz sound.

Thursday 31st sees the return of the ever popular Tom Baker with his Chicago Six. Tom himself plays amongst other instruments trumpet, trombone and sax and together with his partners in crime will recreate sounds of the Chicago jazz era.

All shows for the Southern Cross Club Jazz series commence at 8.30pm. Bookings at the club on 283 7288.

Gypsy Bar and Brasserie will present Canberra based a capella vocal group The Idea Of North on Monday 7th July. The Idea of North formed in 1993 and their music includes Gospel, Gospel Jazz, Jazz and Spirituals. Many of the arrangements have been written by members of the group and their last concert at Tilleys Devine Cafe was a total sell-out. One not to be missed. Tickets at the door.

Nice to see Rydges City (ex Lakeside) sticking with live jazz every Saturday night for the dining and dancing pleasure of guests in the Burley Griffin Restaurant. The July program features The Ross Clarke Trio, Stuart Warner Trio and The John Black Trio - all Canberra based groups and providing an entertaining mix of 30's and 40's style swing, some Latin feels and elegant ballads. Requests no problem. Must book.

The Canberra Yacht Club begins a new venture on Thursday 3rd July and continuing every Thursday with jazz and cabaret legend Gery Scott and trio. Miss Scott's international career has seen her perform in twenty-six countries around the world and this year she celebrates fifty-five years in show business. Cruising with Gery in The Captain's Cabin will be featured in what is becoming a popular time-slot for many venues - happy hour: 5.30pm - 7.30pm. Drop in.

To be included in this column, please send your press releases to Tony Magee, PO Box 24, TORRENS ACT 2607 or fax on 290 0020 by 15th of the month prior to publication. 

Originally published in Muse Magazine (Canberra), July 1997