The JazzLab: what is on and when to go

What is on

The JazzLab is a Melbourne venue with a run of twelve listed jazz shows from 19 September to 30 September. All of the dates sit at The JazzLab itself, so concertgoers are staying in one city venue across the run. The opening bill is «Cannonball featuring Chantal Mitvalsky» on 19 September at 8:00 pm. Most of the remaining program begins at 7:30 pm, with two later 8:00 pm starts on 25 September and 26 September. The titles point to a mix of formats, including a swing orchestra, quartet shows, trio presentations, an orchestra night and several featured-name events. Across the full run, the venue shifts between smaller line-ups and larger groupings. The 25 September billing is a swing orchestra, while 29 September is «The JazzLab Orchestra». Other nights use quartet or trio formats in their titles, and several nights are built around a named performer or project.

The coming weeks

Taken together, the schedule is a steady run of consecutive dates. Concertgoers can think of it in two blocks: the first block from 20 September to 24 September, and the later block from 25 September to 30 September.

On 20 September at 7:30 pm, The JazzLab hosts «GREEN, EVANS, van der SCHYFF (Sydney/Melbourne) – Debut/Album launch». Its title carries a Sydney/Melbourne billing and a debut or album launch label. 21 September at 7:30 pm is «Transients: Magnusson/Beck/Keller». 22 September at 7:30 pm is «Jack Earle Quartet». 23 September at 7:30 pm is «Yunior Terry- Undercurrents». 24 September at 7:30 pm is «Barney McAll Non Compliance Trio».

The later block runs from 25 September to 30 September. 25 September begins at 8:00 pm and presents «The Pearly Shells Swing Orchestra Ft. Michelle Nicolle». 26 September is also an 8:00 pm start, with «Harry James Angus». 27 September returns to 7:30 pm with «CHRIS CODY QUARTET (Sydney/Melb)». 28 September at 7:30 pm is «Holly Moore – FLOOD». 29 September at 7:30 pm is «The JazzLab Orchestra». The final listed night, 30 September at 7:30 pm, is «Yunior Terry- Magnet».

Choosing a show

For a larger ensemble, the clearest title is «The Pearly Shells Swing Orchestra Ft. Michelle Nicolle», because it identifies a swing orchestra. A separate large-ensemble option is «The JazzLab Orchestra» on 29 September. If you want a smaller-group setting, the program has «Barney McAll Non Compliance Trio» and the three-name bill «Transients: Magnusson/Beck/Keller». Quartet followers have two clear options: «Jack Earle Quartet» and «CHRIS CODY QUARTET (Sydney/Melb)». Because the titles are quite explicit, the choice can follow ensemble size. For an orchestral-size show, the swing orchestra title and the orchestra title «The JazzLab Orchestra» are the clearest. For a more compact group, the trio and quartet titles are clearer.

Listeners who follow debut and launch events may be drawn to the 20 September show «GREEN, EVANS, van der SCHYFF (Sydney/Melbourne) – Debut/Album launch». The two Yunior Terry dates, «Yunior Terry- Undercurrents» on 23 September and «Yunior Terry- Magnet» on 30 September, offer separate nights under that title. For featured-name bills, the program includes «Cannonball featuring Chantal Mitvalsky» and «Harry James Angus». The project-style titles «Transients: Magnusson/Beck/Keller» and «Holly Moore – FLOOD» sit among the other named events.

Before you go

Start times are either 7:30 pm or 8:00 pm. The 8:00 pm starts fall on 19 September, 25 September and 26 September; the other listed shows start at 7:30 pm. If you prefer a consistent 7:30 pm start, choose any of the other nine listed shows. The JazzLab is in Melbourne, so factor in city travel. The program is entirely at The JazzLab, so repeat attendees can settle into the same room across different nights. The venue’s online events page is the natural place to confirm the current schedule, entry arrangements and any late changes for your chosen night. Arrive early enough to get settled before the downbeat.

Find the full programme, address and map on The JazzLab’s page.