Live Jazz in Melbourne

Wed, Jul 1, 7:30 PM

Oscar Edwards Quintet

The JazzLab / Brunswick / Map

Young Melbourne drummer Oscar Edwards is preparing for a significant move to the UK to take up the sole undergraduate jazz drums position at the Royal Academy of Music in London. A 2025 James Morrison Scholarship finalist and VCASS graduate, Oscar has established himself as a prominent emerging voice on the local scene, performing alongside musicians such as James Sherlock, Mark Fitzgibbon, Julien Wilson, Grant Windsor, Tamara Murphy, Hugh Stuckey, Ben Robertson, Daryl McKenzie, Gordon Goodwin, Darrin Archer, James Shortland, Miro Lauritz, James Bowers, Tiana Young, James Lockwood, Zoe Frater, and many others. For this performance at The JazzLab , Oscar leads an ensemble of musicians he greatly admires, presenting a selection of original compositions alongside jazz standards. This show marks his final local performance before commencing his international studies at the Royal Academy. Line up: Oscar Edwards – Drums Carl Mackey – Saxophone Ben Robertson – Bass James Sherlock – Guitar Mark Fitzgibbon – Piano

Thu, Jul 2, 7:30 PM

Barney McAll’s Non Compliance Trio

The JazzLab / Brunswick / Map

Grammy-nominated, ARIA Award-winning pianist and composer Barney McAll joins forces with the brilliant young drummer Ebs Daramola and the free-wheeling virtuosity of Cuban bassist Yunior Terry. “Barney has always been a spiritual and positive voice, a conceptualist with great empathy and humor. His activities were always intriguing and his powers on the keys formidable.” Kurt Rosenwinkel Barney McAll – Piano Yunior Terry – Bass Ebs Daramola – Drums Check out Barney McAll

PLS NOTE: DOORS OPEN AT 7.30PM FOR A 8PM SHOWTIME (SHOW DURATION IS 8PM-10PM) Dawn Ho presents ‘The Space Between’ Dawn Ho returns to the Basement with a set that lives in the space between tradition and invention — where jazz standards and original music sit side by side in quiet conversation. Rooted in a deep love of jazz tradition, the evening draws on the phrasing, wit and emotional depth of great jazz vocalists including Carmen McRae, Betty Carter, Cassandra Wilson and Billie Holiday, while leaning into a more contemporary, atmospheric sound shaped by soul, bossa nova and subtle progressive influences. Her original work is shaped by a wider palette of influences — from the vocal intimacy of Sidsel Endresen and the spacious, groove-led sensibility of Meshell Ndegeocello, to the atmospheric, textural worlds of Björk and Steven Wilson. The result is not a departure from tradition, but a quiet evolution of it: familiar songs reimagined alongside originals that carry the same spirit in a new voice. Expect an intimate, slow-burning set — thoughtful, expressive and grounded in feel — w

PLS NOTE: DOORS OPEN AT 5.30PM FOR A 6PM SHOWTIME (SHOW DURATION IS 6PM-7.40PM) Panorama Brasil featuring Dany Maia Panorama Brasil return to the Paris Cat with guest vocalist Dany Maia. This show pays tribute to the great songwriters and lyricists of Brazil, with the stunning vocals and vibrant energy of Dany Maia leading this incredible band. From the earliest days of samba, Brazil has produced lyricists capable of social insight, cutting wit and subtle beauty. From the protest songs of the dictatorship eras, to the intimacy of bossa nova, onto MPB and beyond. Panorama Brasil presents incredible songs from some of Brazil’s greatest modern poets including Djavan, Milton Nascimento, Jobim, Edu Lobo and Chico Buarque in an all-encompassing journey. "The band launched straight into the heady syncopations of the maracatu from Recife, transporting us immediately into the alternative reality of a wild, intensely colourful carnival, about as far removed from Adelaide in winter as you can get." Stephen Wittington, Adelaide Advertiser. Dany Maia (voice) Yael Zamir (flute) Jorge Albuquerque (

Back by popular demand… Join Steve and his good friends James Clark (bass) and Rod Gilbert (drums) together with outstanding vocalist Jacki Gaudion, her cousin Ash Gaudion (saxophone, vocals) and Toby Mak (trumpet) will put on a jazz show like no other at Birds Basement. “Steve brings to every performance a spirit of inclusiveness and his focus has always been on the collective endeavour…his passion for jazz as an artform that unites, engages and entertains…” Jessica Nicholas, The Age, May 2018. Steve Sedergreen is one of Melbourne’s most respected jazz identities. Over the decades he has earned a formidable reputation a jazz pianist, arranger and educator. Founder of the genre-defying group Mistaken Identity, for years a powerhouse of contemporary jazz playing across the country and earning an APRA nomination. He has performed at many major festivals, curated Dizzy’s Jazz Club (1999 -2006) and mentored members of the next generation of Australian jazz talent - including members of The Cat Empire, Axle Whitehead and Paris Wells, to name a few. Jacki Gaudion is also a jazz legend in t

PLS NOTE: DOORS OPEN 8.30PM FOR A 9PM SHOWTIME (SHOW DURATION IS 9PM-11PM) Red Hot is the dazzling show starring Sarah Maclaine and Jennifer Salisbury - two fiery redheads taking on some of the hottest songs of the last 100 years, backed by an all-star band. With velvet vocals, and vintage microphones, this show revives the classics and re-imagines modern favourites meeting old and new with a swingin’ twist. All this, accompanied by Mark Morand’s masterful arrangements & guitar, and a superb band that transforms every song into something wonderfully unique. Brilliantly executed and thoroughly engaging from start to finish, this show brings the fun and unites the audience through the love of classic jazz and modern hits. Featuring: Vincent Bradley - trumpet, flugel horn Paul Winter - reeds Annette Yates - bass Lachlan Wallace - drums Genre - Jazz/Swing

PLS NOTE: DOORS OPEN 6PM FOR A 6.30PM SHOWTIME (SHOW DURATION IS 6.30PM-8.10PM) Hot Club Swing’s unique style of French Gypsy Jazz is alive and well; music originating in the 1930s but still thriving in the 21st century. The group draws its influences from an exotic palate of Latin America, Eastern Europe and of course, classic American swing music, painting on a canvas that can be eloquently French, starkly rustic or darkly and romantically gypsy. The quintet features: Ben Calderazzo (leader/guitar); Sophia MacRae (Clarinet); Rob Gador (double bass); Jeremy Bourke (rhythm guitar), and Nadine Joy (vocals) and is inspired by the original masters, Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli with influences from more modern groups from Europe and beyond. In their 30 years as a band, some notable performances include: Port Fairy Music Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, the 53rd National Jazz Convention, Boite World Music Café, inclusion on the charity CD Waterfront Christmas for United Way and support for Hank Marvin at the Oz Manouche Festival of Gypsy Jazz. Hot Club Swing's first two al

Sat, Jul 4, 7:30 PM

Elly Poletti sings The A List- the music of Amy, Adele, Aretha and Alicia

Bird's Basement / Melbourne CBD / Map

From vocalist Elly Poletti comes a celebration of four of the most iconic voices in recording history: Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse and Adele. Featuring new material as well as arrangements from Elly’s previous projects, this show delves into the unique minds and voices that have made these four artists among the biggest of all time and earned them their rightful places on “The A List”. Enjoy two sets of jazzy, bluesy and funky interpretations delivered by an all-star band and the soulful voice of Elly Poletti. Elly Poletti’s previous shows include “We May Never Meet Again: The Music of Amy Winehouse”, “All I Ask: Elly Poletti Sings Adele”, and “Candlelight Jazz: Music of Aretha Franklin, Adele, Amy and more”, and have brought crowds to their feet at venues including the Paris Cat, the Forum, the Athenaeum Theatre and the National Theatre as well as on two interstate tours. The band: Alex Spicer - Drums Russell Tay - Keys Owen Downie - Bass Patrick Langdon - Trombone Elly Poletti - Vocals