M USI C REVI EWS EDUCATI ON G I GS
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Dingo acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
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US E YOUR VO ICE , YOU R ARTISTIC TALE NTS, TO P RO MOT E A WO RLD FREE O F WAR AND WE APO NS. Artwork by Kazem Bokaei
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EDITOR Adam Simmons | editor@dingojazz.com CO-EDITOR & MARKETING Cal Barry | marketing@dingojazz.com ART DIRECTOR Perri Winter | artdirector@dingojazz.com WRITERS Des Cowley, Rob Glaesemann, Stephen Hornby, Barney McAll, Julia Messenger, Roger Mitchell, Tim Nikolsky, Barry O’Sullivan, Greg Phillips, Michael Prescott, Josh Underhill, Dirk Zeylmans van Emmichoven COVER ART Sally Dunbar | www.sallygallery.com ARTIST Meg Kolac | www.megkolac.com SUBSCRIBE subscriptions@dingojazz.com ADVERTISING marketing@dingojazz.com PUBLISHED & DISTRIBUTED BY Sounding Grace Pty Ltd 339 Clarendon St, South Melbourne, VIC 3205, Australia ISSN 2652-9637 Dingo accepts freelance art, photo and writing submissions, however we cannot reply personally to unsuccessful pitches. For submission guidelines please visit www.dingojazz.com/contact Views expressed by the authors are not those of the publisher. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. Copyright is reserved by the publisher. Sumo Laser is an environmentally responsible paper manufactured under the ISO14001 Environmental Management System, using elemental chlorine free pulp. Sumo Laser is FSC Certified Mix pulp.
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editor Wominjeka/Welcome Jazz has always thrived on its ability to adapt and innovate, responding to shifting landscapes while pushing the boundaries of creative expression. Today, as ever, the jazz community faces challenges – rising costs, heightened competition for funding and limited visibility within the broader cultural context – but its enduring strength lies in resilience and a constant drive for innovation. Initiatives such as the Western Australian Jazz Project (WAJP) and artists such as Barney McAll exemplify how jazz musicians are proactively carving out pathways for both artistic and financial sustainability. WAJP has embraced not only performance and education but is exploring creative revenue streams, while McAll’s self-released albums are an avenue to retaining full control over his music and developing a sustainable model for reaching his audience. This combination of creativity and pragmatism ensures that these artists are not just surviving but thriving. On a larger scale, networks like the World Jazz Conference (WJC) illustrate the power of collaboration, a force that drives jazz locally and globally. In Australia, organisations such as Melbourne Jazz Co-operative and Sydney Improvised Music Association play a similar role, providing platforms for both emerging and established artists to connect, experiment and grow. As with the WJC, these organisations foster cross-cultural and cross-border collaborations, enriching the jazz ecosystem by nurturing both local talent and international exchange. Looking ahead, jazz’s future will continue to be shaped by those who embrace both resilience and innovation. As Adrian Kelly from WAJP reflects, “By having a professional ensemble setting a benchmark for not only performance quality, but conditions and expectations, we hope to create a situation of ‘a rising tide lifts all ships.’” It’s this kind of attitude towards excellence and collaboration that will ensure jazz’s survival and growth in the years to come. Enjoy Adam Simmons
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contents
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EDITOR’S LET TER
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S POTLIGHT
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PROFILE THE WESTERN AUSTR ALIA JA ZZ PROJECT
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ALL TH E THINGS WE ARE JA ZZ COLLECTIVES IN AUSTR ALIA
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LESSONS FROM TH E JOU RN EY INDEPENDENTLY RELE ASING IMPROVISED M USIC
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JAZZ IN CAN BERRA
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REVIEWS
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ARTIST ABI LEE
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EDUCATION HISTORY LESSON: BILL ARMSTRONG REMIND ME NOT TO FORGET UNLOCKING THE L ANGUAGE OF BEBOP YOUNG ARTISTS
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GE AR REVIEWS
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LIVE
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GLOBAL PERS PECTIVE BUILDING BRIDGES: WORLD JA ZZ CONFERENCE WORLD JA ZZ NET WORK GR ANT WRITING 101: PREPARING YOUR BUDGET
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CONTRIBUTORS
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VA L E
Additional Content Contributors
Chris Herft – photographer, jazz aficionado
Adelaide Jazz Festival Amersfoort World Jazz Festival APRA AMCOS Brisbane International Jazz Festival Clarence Jazz Festival Creative Original Music Adelaide Johnston Street Jazz Make It Up Club Made Now Music Melbourne International Jazz Festival Melbourne Jazz Co-operative Perth International Jazz Festival Small Space Music SIMA Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues
Freddie Hill – trumpet, composer and educator
Additional Photographic Contributors
Dingo wishes to acknowledge the passing of the following valued members and contributors of the Australian jazz community and extend our condolences to their beloved friends and family: Robert “Bobbie” Brown – drums, Canberra Jazz Club life member Graeme Davies – harmonica, reeds, piano Paul Emery – bass
Ignatius Jones AM – voice, journalist, artistic/events director Conrad Joyce – bass Zulya Kamalova – voice, director of The Boite Helen Matthews – voice, artistic director, radio presenter ABC and RTRFM Maureen Meers – radio presenter 2MBS
SUPPORT ACT CRISIS REL IEF & WELLBEING HOT L I N E Support Act is Australia’s only charity to deliver crisis relief services specifically to artists, crew and music workers as a result of ill health, injury, a mental health problem, or some other crisis that impacts on their ability to work in music. This support extends to all genres, including jazz in all its varied forms. Wellbeing Helpline – free & confidential 24/7 support: 1800 959 500 General Enquiries | Crisis Relief: 1300 731 303 www.supportact.org.au
Marjan Blan Mali Bou Caleboquendo Carlhauser Glenn Carstens David Clode Cottonbro Mitchell Gaiser Kitti Incedi Tirth Kesharia Malcolm Lightbody Domenico Loia Lucaspezeta V Marin Leio Mclaren Nothing Ahead April Pethybridge Possessed Photography Maxence Pira Jarrod Reed Alejandro De Roa Anni Roenkae Bevlea Ross Arno Senoner Bruno Thethe Jon Tyson Steven Weeks Jake Weirick Jay Wennington Karsten Winegeart Roman Zelenka
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M US I C REVI EWS E DUCAT I O N G I GS
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$ 4 4 . 95 D INGOJAZZ.C OM/SU BSC RI BE Annual subscription includes two editions: April and October, with free shipping* Australia wide. Every subscriber also receives digital access with extra exclusive online content. *International will incur additional costs.
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it’s a step to be taken a story to be told a song to be sung daring to dream
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Cover Art ‘Yellow Wattle In Pink Galah Vase’ Sally Dunbar