Free

Co-presented with major sponsor the University of Melbourne – MCM/VCA

Gender Defying Jazz (GDJ) is a program run by Andrea Keller, Head of Jazz & Improvisation at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne. The program serves to create a safe learning environment and community for female identifying, and gender-diverse musicians interested in exploring jazz and improvisation.

Based in Melbourne, Australia, the annual workshops are delivered over six Sundays in term 4 and involve performing in ensembles with alumni and undergraduate students from the Jazz & Improvisation degree. Workshop participants engage in jazz and improvisation studies covering musics ranging from free improvisation, to tunes from the American songbook and those by contemporary Australian jazz musicians. The workshop series culminates in a live performance at the Jazzlab, as part of the Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival in December.

$20.00 – $30.00

Co-presented with the Melbourne Jazz Co-Op

Abi Lee Trio

Abi Lee – piano
Jack Smythe – double bass
Alex Siderov – drums

Abi Lee is a Naarm/Melbourne-based pianist, composer, and improviser. Abi tells intimate stories through real-time improvisation and her compositions in a trio setting. Abi’s belief and love for music is shown in every aspect of her playing and composition highlighting her percussive and distinctive voice influenced by Keith Jarrett, Andrea Keller and Mike Nock. Her debut album, Up on the Hill Again, Here I Go (May 2024), is a series of stories from one of Abi’s toughest yet significant periods of her life. Abi leads a trio of the most exciting emerging voices of Australia, showing her longing for freedom and her fearless sense of self.

abi-lee.com
abilee.bandcamp.com