No Herbie, but plenty of telling stories

Indigenous Artist in Residence, Noongar woman Bumpy.  Image: RM REVIEW Melbourne International Jazz Festival, 18 – 27 October 2024 Each concert has stories. Each listener finds their own. Each player shares some of what brought them to the stage – some of that journey. Do festivals have stories? Yes, but only in the way patrons (and reviewers) collate cues and clues along the way. After … Continue reading No Herbie, but plenty of telling stories

Glimpsing a collective consciousness

REVIEW Melbourne International Jazz Festival, 20 – 29 October 2023 To pianist Nduduzo Makhathini, the telling of a story can liberate and heal. The Blue Note artist from South Africa told his audience at The Jazzlab on the final night of the festival that performances are moments of emptying, an opportunity for us to dissolve for a second and to think about ourselves in the … Continue reading Glimpsing a collective consciousness

Top Marks and thanks for all the memories

Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues 2022Friday 28 October to Sunday 30 October REVIEW Full marks to this festival – not because everything was perfect (it wasn’t), but because it returned, against the odds. Also because of Mark, Mark and Marc, who, in the front row of the Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre on Friday evening, helped remind me of what this festival with … Continue reading Top Marks and thanks for all the memories