To celebrate the Brisbane Jazz Club’s return to Kangaroo Point after two months of renovations, the venue hosted the Home of Jazz Renovation Celebration welcoming members, guests and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s representative Councillor Peter Matic.
Club President Paul Day and an Honour Guard of musicians greeted the Councillor at the main entrance with a parade, swinging along through the club to the strains of When the Saints Go Marching In, which set the tone for the occasion.
Club Vice President Alan Western said the appearance of Councillor Matic in the parade with band members brought the celebration to a climax and it was the most memorable moment that night.
“The date was also the celebration of 45 years of the Brisbane Big Band ‘love the sound’ as the resident band of the Brisbane Jazz Club, in addition to the release of their latest CD Groove Tonic,” Mr Western said.
The completed renovations enhance patron’s listening experience with the brand-new design of the stage area and the bar, but also promote an inclusive culture by creating wheelchair access and facilities inside and outside the riverside venue.
“As a community club we felt the long-overdue need to modernise these facilities and bring everything up-to-date to comply with current accessibility, comfort and safety standards,” Mr Western said.
Besides running four major festivals each year, Brisbane Jazz Club is devoted to nourishing young jazz talents with mentoring opportunities.
The club will hold two workshops featuring jazz musicians Kristin Berardi and Sandy Evans on Saturday 2 and Saturday 30 November respectively for the Brisbane Young Women’s Jazz Collective.
The workshops welcome all women aged 18-25 years to collaborate, try new techniques and receive guidance from mentors.
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