Upbeat, muted by funding blues

Enthusiasts revelled as the remarkable music kept on flowing, writes Jessica Nicholas.

ALTHOUGH this year has been brimming with remarkable music, much of it performed by local artists, 2009 is ending on a low note for the Melbourne jazz scene. The decision by Arts Victoria to cease funding the Melbourne Jazz Co-operative leaves a gaping hole in the MJC's program for 2010. It has played a valuable role in nurturing talent for more than 25 years, and the cut (resulting in a 50 per cent reduction in next year's concert schedule) will affect musicians, venues and audiences.
The MJC has also lent a hand in presenting many concerts by visiting international jazz artists. Without it, we may not have seen British pianist John Taylor, Italian saxophonist Mirko Guerrini or expatriate Australian musicians Aaron Choulai, Jacam Manricks and Barney McAll.

On a positive note, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival looks to have a secure future after a terrific year. The new artistic team (Michael Tortoni and Sophie Brous) assembled a contemporary program that gave a burst of fresh energy. There were sensational concerts by the international headliners (Charlie Haden, Bill Frisell and Joshua Redman); inspiring collaborations between overseas and Australian artists (in particular, Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra); and new programming streams. Stonnington Jazz followed hot on the heels of MIJF, its imaginative program including a Vince Jones retrospective and the Megan Washington/Paul Grabowsky Project.
The Melbourne Jazz Fringe festival wedged itself into the two-week gap between MIJF and Stonnington, and suffered the consequences of "jazz fatigue" (namely, disappointing crowds and minimal publicity). The fringe event has found new dates for 2010 to allow some breathing space. On paper, the line-up for the Wangaratta Jazz Festival looked less impressive than in previous years but the festival was as stimulating as ever. Highlights included Germany's Carsten Daerr Trio and the quartet led by New York drummer Ari Hoenig.

Outside the festivals, we had first-rate shows by US pianist Brad Mehldau, British reedsman John Surman (with Genevieve Lacey) and German gypsy-jazz guitarist Lulo Reinhardt. World music fans were equally well served, with vibrant performances by South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Spain's Noche Flamenca and several "Spirit of India" concerts. And then there were unclassifiable shows,like the surprise performance (following a film screening at MIFF) of the Korean pansori singer Bae Il Dong. Or dirtsong, the Black Arm Band's powerful amalgam of music, theatre and indigenous storytelling.
For me, the most affecting performance of 2009 came from Charlie Haden and his antipodean Liberation Music Orchestra. Hearing this majestic ensemble, led by one of the world's great bass players, was an emotionally intense and, at times, almost unbearably moving experience.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/2009-jazz-highlights/2009/12/17/1260639250913.html
Photo: supplied