"Jazz 'n' Jam Tarts"

Wow!! What a week it was! National Seniors Week in Bundaberg really raged.

Apart from the Seniors' Expo explaining the services and activities available, we had lots of lovely JAZZZZ!
First, a party to celebrate the 20th birthday of U3A, (University of the Third Age), followed by a concert to launch the week's activities. From Brisbane we enjoyed "Moodswing" with Viv Middleton on piano and Irene Bartlett's beautiful jazz voice, coupled with the super soprano Judith Henley. (The trio in "Summertime" was a real treat).
"Arabesk" travelled up from Sydney to play at the Arts Centre on Friday morning supporting the "Jazz Apprentices" (combined students aged 13-17 from three local schools). Highlight was when music teachers Dale on tenor and Tony on trumpet, sat in with the "Arabesk" quartet, and an Arts Centre volunteer Dennis joined the jam on bongos!.
"Arabesk's" River Cruise that evening was a wild affair, I'll bet the "Burnett Queen" has never rocked like that - their mid-European music with violin, guitar, bass and drums had everyone dancing.
After a gig at the Agnes Waters Tavern on Saturday, by Sunday they were all back in Bundaberg to entertain the crowd at the Multicultural Festival in Quay Street.
The "Jazz Apprentices" led by music teachers Dale Lockley, Tony Brown and Dana King, gave us some of familiar big band swing numbers - these students were amazing and it brought home to the audience the evidence that jazz is indeed evolving and moving along towards the future. Aged between 13 - 17, the group of some fifteen young musicians came from the high schools of Bundaberg, Kepnock and Gin Gin.

Note for future 'Jazz Gems': Ed Wilson, trombone player and ex-leader of the old Daly-Wilson Big Band of the 70's, now owns his own publishing company and writes music especially for Australian schools, Police and Army bands. Ed would like to hear more Aussie music in these areas. Check out his website: