What's on: Live Jazz in Canberra - September and October 1997, with Tony Magee

During September and October in Canberra, it's quality rather than quantity with regard to live jazz, with the Albert Hall presenting the two major events.

On Thursday 11th September at 8pm catch the Don Burrows Quartet. One of the world's great musicians, Don's career spans over 53 years, having turned professional at the age of fourteen. The quartet features Don on clarinet, flutes, saxophones and percussion, Kevin Hunt on piano and keyboards, David Pudney on string bass and Gordon Rytmeister on Drums (almost the perfect surname). 

The other major Albert Hall presentation is the 2nd concert in the Jazz Proms series. This one will again feature the Canberra School of Music Big Band, directed by Don Johnson and Tim Long, The Canberra School of Music Vocal Jazz Ensemble, directed by Gery Scott and newcomers The Canberra Jazz Orchestra directed by Geoff Gray and Spectrum Show Band directed by Glenn Rogers. The concert starts at 5pm on Sunday 21st September. Bookings for both these concerts at Ticketek on 6248 7666.

The National Press Club put on a trio for their Seafood Nights which are the last Friday of every month. Forthcoming artists include lounge trio, Trisket featuring Andrew Hackwill on alto sax, Greg Stott on guitar and Scott Dodd on double bass. The music of Trisket includes popular swing and latin hits, soothing ballads and classic sax hits (eg: Take Five). Bookings at the Press Club on 6273 3644.

Rydges Canberra City continues Saturday night jazz in the Burley Griffin Restaurant with The Ross Clarke Trio, Stuart Warner Trio, both of whom feature piano (Ross and Stuart), sax and bass and also the Andrew Piper Trio featuring Andrew on Flugelhorn with piano and double bass. Bookings on 6247 6244.

Jazz in the Hyatt tea-lounge continues every Friday evening from 6pm - 9pm with a happy hour format of discount drinks and free snacks, featuring some of Canberra's top singers including Ra Khahn, Karen Strahan, Rebekkah Liang and Debbie Downs.

Thursday live jazz at The Canberra Yacht Club continues with Gery Scott and Friends from 6pm - 8pm. Gery encourages guests to ask for requests via the appropriate forms placed on each table and there isn't too much that she can't sing, given a performing career spanning over 55 years!

To be included in this column, send your press release to Tony Magee, PO Box 24, Torrens ACT 2607, or fax to 6290 0020, by 15th of the month before publication.

Originally published in Muse Magazine (Canberra), September 1997.