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 8 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.






Tix $30/25 concession - seats still available
Cash entry - cards fine at the bar

Doors open 7.30, music from 8pm.

bookings please email us - uptownjazzcafe@email.com

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Saxophonist and composer Oscar Bruten brings his quartet to Uptown Jazz Café for a night of vibrant modern jazz. A rising star on the Australian scene, Oscar’s acclaimed debut Strzelecki Suite showcases his expressive compositions and remarkable improvisational voice. Expect compelling original works alongside fresh interpretations of jazz tradition from this exciting young ensemble.



Tix $30/25 concession - seats still available

Cash entry - cards fine at the bar

Doors open 7.30, music from 8pm.

bookings please email us - uptownjazzcafe@email.com

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Toby Barrett is a saxophonist and composer who is highly regarded in the Melbourne and New Zealand jazz scenes. After receiving several national awards at a young age, Toby completed a Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland and a Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the University of Melbourne. Toby has been fortunate enough to perform with renowned international artists such as Melissa Aldana, Danilo Perez, Barney McAll, Yunior Terry, Jonathan Crayford, Roger Manins, Kevin Field and more. Toby performs regularly throughout Melbourne and has recently recorded his debut album under the mentorship of Julien Wilson, Andrea Keller and Brett Williams. 

Toby has recently returned from Europe where he performed in Budapest, Basel and Amsterdam, alongside participating in the Keep an Eye programme at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. After learning from Immanuel Wilkins, Micah Thomas, Nir Felder, Becca Stevens, and Matt Penman, Toby is excited to share new and old music from his travels.

Miro Lauritz - piano
James Shortland - bass
Ollie Shute - drums


Tix $35/30 concession - seats still available

Cash entry - cards fine at the bar

Doors open 7.30, music from 8pm.

bookings please email us - uptownjazzcafe@email.com

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

Wilson/Magnusson/Gilligan

Stephen Magnusson and Julien Wilson have been performing together in a multitude of ensembles for over 3 decades. They have been hired for the special sympatico they create together for projects led by Mike Nock, Vince Jones, Jonathan Zwartz, Barney McAll, Andrea Keller, The Black Arm Band and the Australian Art Orchestra. 

They have perfomed as a trio with many drummers, most notably with Will Guthrie as documented on the two album releases by “Assumptions” from 2003 2004. When Will moved to Europe the trio with Stephen Grant on piano accordion was formed to play shows at the Half Bent Winter Music Festival and a show at the Sydney Opera House. Julio The Stevies still play together today and have released two albums, Trio-Live and Swailing. In 2006 they were invited (As The Julien Wilson Trio) to play two shows at the Berlin Jazz Festival as part of a three week European tour. They have played at many of Australia’s leading music festivals and venues, as well as being invited to perform at festivals in NZ, Korea, Bolivia Indonesia.

Wilson and Magnusson have never had a trio with just bass - until now. Their recent debut with James Gilligan on electric bass was a joyful and delicate yet assured performance that left many audience members stunned that it was their first encounter as a trio. Gilligan is a consummate musician and an incredible listener, with the size of his imagination only exceeded by the size of his heart. His uniquely assertive yet sensitive style fits perfectly with the other two musicians. For this special show they will select originals by all three musicians that focus on melody and beauty and simplicity, creating space for conversational interactive playing. Material from their previous show included a couple of tunes by Swedish ECM recording artist, Bjorn Meyer (who played with Julien and Stephen in SNAG) and songs by some of their favourite composer/performers such as Bill Frisell Charlie Haden. 

This will be Gilligan’s last performance before he heads off to Europe for a two month tour promoting his new duo album, Bruce, with Swiss bass clarinetist, Sha.  



Tix $35/30 concession - seats still available

Cash entry - cards fine at the bar

Doors open 7.30, music from 8pm.

bookings please email us - uptownjazzcafe@email.com

More

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