Uptown Jazz Cafe - Melbourne's newest jazz and improvised music venue

Modern jazz guitar master James Sherlock is one of the best straight ahead jazz guitar players in Australia. Whether playing in classic guitar trio or with vocalist, he’s right at home with the swinging jazz standards repertoire from the 50’s and 60’s right through to present day, and it is always a delight to be at James's performances.



A significant figure on the Australian jazz scene for a number of years, member of the famous “BOPSTRETCH” band that has held a Wednesday residency at Uptown for almost 10 years.

Having recently been recorded live by ABC FM radio's "JazzTrack," this trio is the quintessential guitar led jazz sound.


 James has performed, toured, recorded and collaborated with a variety of Australian and International musicians; however, the Guitar/Bass/Drums trio has been the backbone of James' performance output for over 20 years. This incarnation of the trio features outstanding young bassist Ben Hanlon and Danny Fischer on drums.


"This could be exhibit A in the case that some of the world's most exciting jazz is being made in Australia.” John Shand - Sydney Morning Herald (“Watermark” review)
“Sherlock is a wonderful guitarist, and a craftsman of songs possessing beauty and depth. “Solo” should make a few Top 10s of the year and help propel Sherlock onto the bigger stage he surely deserves. Definitely a name to watch out for.” Ian Patterson, All About Jazz.

 

$25 full/ $10 students - cash on entry/cards fine at the bar - doors open 7.30, music from 8pm. Seats still available.

bookings please email us - uptownjazzcafe@email.com

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Tinky is back!

One of the most incredible trumpet players in the world today, Scott Tinkler returns with quartet stretching jazz standards in a swinging, open and improvising setting guaranteed to stretch the ears and the imagination.

Scott Tinkler is a founding member and the Associate Artistic Director of the Australian Art Orchestra and plays regularly in Melbourne in trios and quartets with musicians such as Marc Hannaford, Sam Pankhurst, Alan Brown, Philip Rex, Harry Shaw-Reynolds, Paul Grabowsky Ken Eadie and Carl Dewhurst.

Current projects include Chiri with the Australian drummer Simon Barker and Korean Pansori singer Bae Il Dong. In 2011 at the invitation of the Australian Department of Foreign affairs, Chiri toured to Korea, Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Turkey, Cyprus, Jordan finishing with a performance at the Smithsonian in Washington USA and two 2012 tours to Korea.
ARIA Award and Australia Council fellowship winner, we are very proud to have him as a Melbourne icon and a leader of the local improvised music scene.

with -
Sam Keevers - piano
Chris Hale - bass
James McLean – drums




Tix $30/25 concession -  cash entry - cards fine at the bar. Seats still available.

bookings please email us - uptownjazzcafe@email.com

 

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One of the world's leading improvised music guitar players
Guitarist and composer Stephen Magnusson is a musician at the height of his powers. From the precocious virtuoso who dazzled the music world when he crashed onto the scene, to a musician so mature, complete and respected that when people talk of an “Australian sound” of instrumental music, it is Magnusson’s influence – his tone, his touch, his compositional watermark and his deep sensitivity – that they hear.

founding member of SNAG, FESTA, Assumptions Trio (Julien Wilson and Will Guthrie) Julio and The Stevies (again with Julien and also Stephen Grant), his trio MAG (Frank DiSario and Dave Beck) and the latest quartet – Magnet (Carl Pannuzzo, Eugene Ball and Sergio Beresovsky) Steve is one of the most vital, musical and leading exponents in this music. Plus he's a sweetheart....

featuring everything from hard swinging Ornette Coleman tunes to delicate originals and distinctive ballads, sometimes even a cover of a Cold Chisel or The Police, Steve captivates and meserises with his incredible musicianship and openness....


with -


Sam Anning -  bass

Dave Beck – drums


 

$30/25 concession.  cash on entry/cards fine at the bar. Seats still available.

Doors open 7.30, music from 8pm.

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bookings - email uptownjazzcafe@email.com and just pay for tickets on arrival

New York pianist Brett Williams up this Saturday playing modern standards and ballads to blow your mind. Although well known as the keyboard player in the Marcus Miller Band, his love and proficiency in straight ahead jazz is outstanding and a joy to experience. Expect tunes by Thelonious Monk, Fats Waller, Charlie Parker and more....

Brett has performed with artists & musicians including Stevie Wonder, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Marcus Miller, Mumford & Sons, Billy Joel, Chris Thile, Mino Cinelu, Kevin Garrett, Snarky Puppy, Robert Glasper, Jose James, Sean Jones, Keyon Harrold, & Charles Haynes. He has also performed regularly with Jon Batiste on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Williams has already accomplished a significant level of experience on the bandstand & more recently in the studio as well. It is Williams’ openness to a wide range & myriad of musical styles & genres, his “old soul”, & his musical honesty that have helped him create & mold a dynamic sound & voice as a pianist & composer. He released his debut EP S3asons in 2019.

 

Tix $35/30 concession -  cash entry - cards fine at the bar. Seats still available.


Doors open 7.30, music from 8pm.

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bookings - email uptownjazzcafe@email.com and just pay for tickets on arrival



 

Funk legendary guitarist Lance Fergusson leads THE SHACKMEN - a very rare coming together of old friends who happen to make up one of the best rhythm sections in the country.
The engine room of legendary Melbourne funk gods The Bamboos for 10 years, they are now the mystical unicorn of funk rhythm sections.

Featuring -
Ben Grayson (Hammond)
Lance Ferguson (Guitar)
Yuri Pavlinov (bass)
Daniel Farrugia (drums)

Playing swinging funk grooves like no other this Friday, a special gig not to be missed



Bookings highly recommended - uptownjazzcafe@email.com


 

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bookings - email uptownjazzcafe@email.com and just pay for tickets on arrival
 

One of the all time heavyweight greats of Australian jazz saxophone, Sydney's Dale Barlow returns to Uptown with an incredible swinging quartet.
Member of legendary American groups Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, The Cedar Walton Quartet and the Billy Cobham Band, his credits include touring and recording with some of the all-time greats - Sonny Stitt, Chet Baker, Gil Evans, Jackie McLean, Billy Cobham, Curtis Fuller, Eddie Palmieri, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Golson, Lee Konitz, Sonny Stitt, Helen Merryl, Mulgrew Miller, Cindy Blackman, Ernie Watts, Eddie Henderson, Kenny Barron, Ray Drummond, and Billy Higgins.
Born into a musical family, Dale (born Dec 25 1960) was highly acclaimed at a very early age in Australia as featured soloist with various youth big bands and small groups. By the age of 17 he was reluctantly being coupled with touring American jazz greats by agents excited at showing off Australian young talent. He toured with one of his idols, Sonny Stitt. After completing his musical studies at the NSW conservatorium, he moved to New York to further hone his musical skills and be part of the greatest Jazz scene in the world. He studied saxophone with George Coleman and Dave Liebman piano with Barry Harris, and Hal Galper, and won a scholarship to study at the "Jazz composers workshop" with Bob Brookmeyer and Manny Album. During this time he worked the New York Scene and toured the world constantly, performing regularly at major jazz festivals throughout the USA., Canada, Europe, Japan, Asia and the Soviet Union, and recording with many of the great Jazz Artists.
Since returning to Australia, Dale has received numerous awards and accolades including: Album of the Year/ Jazz performer of the year/ International Artist of the Year/ Bicentennial Artist of the Year, four Mo Awards and numerous grants and credits for his for his achievements and contribution to the arts In Australia. Dale is a Master of Music (Canberra University), appears regularly on television and enjoys excellent media attention.
Don't miss this chance to see one of the best on a rare visit to Melbounre.

Book now to reserve a table.




 

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bookings - email uptownjazzcafe@email.com




 all entry fees are ex gst