Melbourne Jazz Co-operative
Encyclopedia
The Melbourne Jazz Co-operative (MJC), better known as the Melbourne Jazz Co-op runs two jazz
concerts a week in Melbourne
, the most active jazz presenter organisation in Australia
. The organisation was founded by Martin Jackson, pianist Jamie Fielding
, bassist Barry Buckley
and others in late 1982 with the intention of presenting as wide a range of jazz styles as on offer in Melbourne
at the time. A broad range of jazz styles were encouraged including rock
-influenced, bebop
, avant-garde
to fusion
.
The initial series of concerts were held on Sunday afternoons at RMIT
's Glasshouse Theatre starting January 1983, with the organisation being funded by the Australia Council
for $3,000. Arts Victoria also providing funding from 1987. The organisation was a vital catylyst for the development of Melbourne's contemporary jazz scene providing opportunities for local, interstate and international performers.
Before the 1980s co-ordination of Jazz concerts was particularly lacking. The NSW Jazz Co-ordination program helped the establishment of the Sydney Improvised Music Association in Sydney quickly followed by the establishment of the Melbourne Jazz Co-operative in 1982. Both sought and gained Federal Government Arts Council
funding soon after establishment. Similar Jazz co-ordination programs were established in other states with Arts Council and State Government Funding.
In January 1993 the Melbourne Jazz Co-op began the weekly Sunday night 'A-Live' Jazz series at the Bennetts Lane Jazz Club
. A second weekly series, the 'Transitions' on Tuesday nights started in late 1997. In 2007 a third weekly series, the "Ezz-thetics" on Thursday nights was started at the Paric Cat Jazz Club.
In the late 1980s and 1990s numerous weekend jazz festivals were organised. In 1991 it contributed a contemporary segment to the Montsalvat International Festival of Jazz. The Melbourne Women's Jazz Festival was founded in 1997 and run by the organisation until 2003, when it was handed over to independent Festival Management, while still contributing some events.
In 2008 the 25th anniversary of the organisation was celebrated with a benefit concert which included many performers, including the Bennetts Lane Big Band
performing the award winning jazz composition by Eugene Ball
, Fool Poet's Portion suite. Other performers included Guitarists Ren Walters and Steve Magnusson, Saxophonist Jamie Oehlers and pianist Marc Hannaford as a duo, Mark Fitzgibbon solo piano set, performances from trios led by Allan Browne
and Rob Burke, and the eight piece Mike Nock
project.
Since presenting the Browne-Costello-Grabowsky Trio at its inaugural concert in January 1983, the MJC has presented hundreds of performances featuring many of Australia’s most respected musicians, from Melbourne and interstate, as well as a number of international artists who otherwise may not have performed in Melbourne. In 2009, the MJC presented 152 performances featuring over 130 ensembles.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
concerts a week in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, the most active jazz presenter organisation in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The organisation was founded by Martin Jackson, pianist Jamie Fielding
Jamie Fielding
Jamie Fielding was an Australian pianist, composer, and experimental musician.Fielding began his music career as a jazz musician, but later became interested in electronic music, working extensively with a Yamaha DX-7 synthesiser. He performed in Michael Sheridan's Slaughter House 3 ensemble, and...
, bassist Barry Buckley
Barry Buckley
Barry Buckley was an Australian jazz double bass player and dental technician from Melbourne, a notable presence on the modern jazz scene for over 40 years....
and others in late 1982 with the intention of presenting as wide a range of jazz styles as on offer in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
at the time. A broad range of jazz styles were encouraged including rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
-influenced, bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
, avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
to fusion
Fusion (music)
A fusion genre is music that combines two or more styles. For example, rock and roll originally developed as a fusion of blues, gospel and country music. The main characteristics of fusion genres are variations in tempo, rhythm, i a sometimes the use of long musical "journeys" that can be divided...
.
The initial series of concerts were held on Sunday afternoons at RMIT
RMIT University
RMIT University is an Australian public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. It has two branches, referred to as RMIT University in Australia and RMIT International University in Vietnam....
's Glasshouse Theatre starting January 1983, with the organisation being funded by the Australia Council
Australia Council
The Australia Council, informally known as the Australia Council for the Arts, is the official arts council or arts funding body of the Government of Australia.-Function:...
for $3,000. Arts Victoria also providing funding from 1987. The organisation was a vital catylyst for the development of Melbourne's contemporary jazz scene providing opportunities for local, interstate and international performers.
Before the 1980s co-ordination of Jazz concerts was particularly lacking. The NSW Jazz Co-ordination program helped the establishment of the Sydney Improvised Music Association in Sydney quickly followed by the establishment of the Melbourne Jazz Co-operative in 1982. Both sought and gained Federal Government Arts Council
Arts council
An arts council is a government or private, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts mainly by funding local artists, awarding prizes, and organizing events at home and abroad...
funding soon after establishment. Similar Jazz co-ordination programs were established in other states with Arts Council and State Government Funding.
In January 1993 the Melbourne Jazz Co-op began the weekly Sunday night 'A-Live' Jazz series at the Bennetts Lane Jazz Club
Bennetts Lane Jazz Club
The Bennetts Lane Jazz Club is a music venue, located off Little Lonsdale Street, in the Melbourne CBD. The club hosts local and international musicians. Lonely Planet has called Bennett's "the world's best jazz club". Bennetts Lane has been hosting musicians for 17 years The venue hosts musicians...
. A second weekly series, the 'Transitions' on Tuesday nights started in late 1997. In 2007 a third weekly series, the "Ezz-thetics" on Thursday nights was started at the Paric Cat Jazz Club.
In the late 1980s and 1990s numerous weekend jazz festivals were organised. In 1991 it contributed a contemporary segment to the Montsalvat International Festival of Jazz. The Melbourne Women's Jazz Festival was founded in 1997 and run by the organisation until 2003, when it was handed over to independent Festival Management, while still contributing some events.
In 2008 the 25th anniversary of the organisation was celebrated with a benefit concert which included many performers, including the Bennetts Lane Big Band
Bennetts Lane Big Band
The Bennetts Lane Big Band is an Australian large ensemble band playing jazz compositions and improvisations that was formed in 2001 to provide an avenue for original new work....
performing the award winning jazz composition by Eugene Ball
Eugene Ball
Eugene Ball is an Australian jazz music composer and acclaimed trumpeter who won the best Australian jazz composition award for Fool Poet's Portion in 2008....
, Fool Poet's Portion suite. Other performers included Guitarists Ren Walters and Steve Magnusson, Saxophonist Jamie Oehlers and pianist Marc Hannaford as a duo, Mark Fitzgibbon solo piano set, performances from trios led by Allan Browne
Allan Browne
Allan Browne is an Australia jazz drummer and composer first known for his work in the Red Onion Jazz band in the 1960's.-Life and career:...
and Rob Burke, and the eight piece Mike Nock
Mike Nock
Mike Nock is a jazz pianist, currently based in Australia. He began studying piano at 11 and by 18 was performing in Australia. He headed a trio that toured England in 1961 and then attended Berklee College of Music...
project.
Since presenting the Browne-Costello-Grabowsky Trio at its inaugural concert in January 1983, the MJC has presented hundreds of performances featuring many of Australia’s most respected musicians, from Melbourne and interstate, as well as a number of international artists who otherwise may not have performed in Melbourne. In 2009, the MJC presented 152 performances featuring over 130 ensembles.