Free Jazz Shows in Melbourne

Sat, Nov 7, 8:00 PM GMT+11

Lillian Albazi and Oscar Neyland “Bright Phantoms” Debut Album Launch + Holly Moore and Aaron Choulai

The JazzLab / Brunswick / Map

“Bright Phantoms” is the debut album from Naarm based experimental duo Lillian Albazi and Oscar Neyland , bringing voice and double bass together in a restless and richly textured sound world. Weaving together fragments of post-punk, folk, modern classical, noise, found percussion, free improvisation and rock. At its centre is the interplay between double bass and voice: layered echoes and tidal harmonies move through dissonant extended techniques, abrasive textures and moments of quiet reflection. The project began in 2021 with an experimental recording of Rowland S. Howard’s “Autoluminescent” as the closing track of Albazi’s debut album “After-Image”. Years later, that recording remains the starting point for everything Bright Phantoms has become today. As Australian music writer, author and curator Des Cowley observed in this Rhythms Magazine review: “Albazi and Neyland conclude the album with a stark reading on ‘Autoluminescent’, a genuine Australian classic, digging deep inside the song’s despairing lyrics. While early days, this haunting finale suggests one future direction her

Sat, Nov 21, 8:00 PM GMT+11

The Vampires ‘Skydancer Tour’ -Bennetts Lane Jazz Club

The JazzLab / Brunswick / Map

Now more than two decades into their journey, The Vampires remain one of Australia’s most distinctive and acclaimed ensembles. The ARIA Award-winning group has carved out a unique place in the international jazz scene, melding intertwining saxophone and trumpet lines with hypnotic grooves and genre-defying textures. Their sound is instantly recognisable: immersive, exploratory, and always pushing boundaries. Critics have hailed their music as “phenomenal” (Downbeat), “a masterpiece” (The Australian), and “seductive creativity” (The Guardian UK). Deeply rooted in the expansive landscapes of Australia yet drawing from a global palette, The Vampires’ music merges composed and improvised parts seamlessly, creating a hypnotic flow that captivates audiences. With appearances at leading festivals and venues including A Love Supreme (UK), Enjoy Jazz (Germany), and every major Australian jazz festival, the band continues to expand its horizons while celebrating a remarkable legacy of innovation. Their celebrated collaborations include projects with The Necks’ Chris Abrahams (Nightjar, ARIA Aw

Wed, Nov 25, 7:30 PM GMT+11

Remorse Of God Album Launch with special guests Niran Dasika/Peggy Lee Duo

The JazzLab / Brunswick / Map

Remorse Of God is the duo project of Australian musicians Ronny Ferella & Shaun Rammers. In 2025 Shaun and his family relocated to Adelaide so this is an extra special event. This will be the duos only performance in Melbourne for a while. The duo has been working together since 2014 and was initially inspired and directed by the “free jazz” movement of the 1960’s-70’s. There are many ways to read the impetus behind the free jazz movement but the element this duo most resonate with is the feeling of transformation, where both performer and audience undergo some change during the performance- from a change in the way one listens, feels, responds. Transformative music has often been connected with the idea of Spirituality/Ritual and it’s through this route that Remorse of God has travelled. Stick With It is a sonic response to the world around us and within us. The album was recorded over two sessions with each track played from start to finish with no edits. More info on ROG here Shaun Rammers Saxophone/clarinet/sound design Ronny Ferella Drumset/percussion/clarinet/ sound design Nira

Wed, Nov 25, 7:30 PM GMT+11

Wayfinders with Michelle Nicolle

The JazzLab / Brunswick / Map

Assembled in 2017 by drummer/composer Ronny Ferella, Wayfinders Trio is part of his ongoing exploration of group communication and connection through improvised music, musical traditions and group memory. For this Jazzlab outing Wayfinders will play a set in the trio format and for the second set be joined by jazz vocalist Michelle Nicolle where they will all travel between free improvisations into songs from the jazz tradition. Ronny Ferella Drums Tom Lee bass Jon Hunt Woodwind Special guest Michelle Nicolle! Youtube link Bandcamp link