UPDATE: Jazz At The Lounge to return in 2025, watch this space!
In an exciting first for live jazz on Sydney’s north shore, JAZZ AT THE LOUNGE kicked off at the Concourse with an incredible performance by Simon Tedeschi and the George Washingmachine Band in September, as part of a brand new, four-concert series presented by Willoughby City Council. Produced by Cinque Artist Management and part of Chatswood Culture Bites, Jazz At The Lounge showcases the sounds of swinging bands and smooth vocals from some of Sydney’s best musicians and renowned Australian voices on the international jazz scene.
In the velvet-draped, cabaret-style surrounds of The Lounge, patrons can order drinks and food directly from their seat while enjoying world-class music; situated above Chatswood Library, the Concourse is just minutes’ walk from Chatswood station, and only 9 minutes from Martin Place or 20 minutes from Sydenham, with Sydney’s new Metro line.
On October 10, Australia’s own Gregg Arthur, endorsed by the biggest names in jazz including Tony Bennett, thrilled a near-capacity audience with The Duke Ellington Songbook, supported by an outstanding trio of pianist Peter Locke, bassist and Head of Jazz at Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Craig Scott, and renowned drummer and bandleader, Andrew Dickeson. In a review by jazz critic for The Australian, Eric Myers, both the performers and the venue earned praise:
“To close the first set, Arthur then did Ellington’s Don’t Get Around Much Any More, where he noticeably went up a gear towards the end of the first chorus, and was followed by the usual piano and bass solos plus – just at the right time – a brilliant drums solo from Dickeson… the whole band was flying, and the first set was brought to a rousing climax.
… This performance presented music at such a standard of excellence that we can only compare it to the fare we normally hear from American jazz masters. So it’s a tonic that this sort of music is available on our doorstep in Sydney. … Gregg Arthur drew a capacity audience … in a venue which, to all intents and purposes, showed itself to be splendidly set up for this sort of presentation.” (full review here)
Jazz At The Lounge series upcoming concerts:
Thursday 7 November, 7:30pm – MARSALA: World Music and Jazz – tickets
Thursday 5 December, 7:30pm – HETTY KATE QUARTET: the American Songbook – tickets
Read more here: Jazz at the Lounge MEDIA RELEASE and on Secret Sydney.