HISTORY OF PERTH JAZZ SOCIETY

The Perth Jazz Society is a non-profit incorporated association. Founded in 1973, its aims and objectives are to embolden the artist, enhance the artform and facilitate the performance. It has had a long and distinguished history in presenting jazz of the highest quality through its weekly Monday night performances, for 27 years based at the Hyde Park Hotel, and since October 2007, at The Charles Hotel in North Perth.

In September 2008 the Perth Jazz Society celebrated its 35th Anniversary, making it the oldest modern jazz society in Australia. It remains the focal point for modern jazz in Western Australia.

The PJS has a strong subscription base of some 600 members who receive a substantial discount on tickets to the Monday night performances and other benefits including discounts on recorded music and other products and services.

The PJS is delighted to welcome new members and the general public to its Monday night performances, which commence at 8pm, and 5pm or 6pm on public holidays.

A WORLD OF JAZZ @ THE PJS

Its beginnings were humble, but as early as 1976 the PJS presented the legendary Stephane Grappelli and later in the same year the brilliant Jacques Loussier Trio.

Groups such as the David Liebman Quartet (US) and the Ronnie Scott Quintet (UK) were followed by famous American swing-era pianist Teddy Wilson. Other celebrated artists presented arevibes master Milt ‘Bags’ Jackson, Ritchie Cole, Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Blossom Dearie, Georgie Fame, Ray Brown, Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander and many others.

Sheila Jordan, jazz icon of the Charlie Parker era, performed for the PJS in 1989, 1996 and 2002. 2003 program highlights included Grammy winning jazz saxophonist Gary Bartz from NYC. 2004 saw performances by seven-time Grammy-nominated American vocalist Kurt Elling with the award winning Chicago Laurence Hobgood Trio as well as performances by jazz vocalist  Mark Murphy and acclaimed saxophonist Dave Liebman with the Guilfoyle/Nielsen Trio from Ireland.

In 2005 award-winning Swedish group Esbjorn Svensson Trio and renowned pianist Barney McAll performed at the Society to standing ovations. Highlights of the 2006 calendar included performances by the Geri Allen Trio and Pierre Dorge’s New Jungle Orchestra, from Denmark. E.S.T. returned to the PJS in 2007 and the Jens Winther European Quintet from Denmark made its PJS debut the same year.

Many national musicians have been welcomed at the PJS over the years, recent visitors including the Mike Nock BigSmallBand, the Alister Spence Trio, the Sandy Evans Trio, the Peter Knight Quartet, James Sandon, The Necks, Jamie Oehlers and the Michelle Nicolle Quartet.

As well as presenting established musicians, the PJS has a long history of supporting young and upcoming musicians, many of whom have studied at the WA Academy of Performing Arts. Over the years, a symbiosis has evolved, enabling the PJS to introduce to Perth audiences the new talent emerging from WAAPA, while at the same time serving as a springboard for these young artists.

Internationally-celebrated American jazz guitarist Mike Stern proclaimed the Perth Jazz Society to be one of his two favourite jazz rooms in the world. The late Art Pepper, who performed with his quartet at the PJS in 1981, commented: “Each performance in Australia has been so well received. I can’t really say how much we’ve enjoyed coming here, but our most enthusiastic crowd was here [at the PJS] last night”.

SPECIAL EVENTS, TOURING, COMMISSIONS, WORKSHOPS AND PUBLICATIONS

The Society has commissioned major works from WA composers (Four Seasons, Common Ground, The Three Faces of Eve, Indian Ocean Trilogy, Stories From Around The Globe) and in 1998 produced the live video “Jazz Off The Record”. In 2009 Callum G'Froerer and Brett Thompson presented Me and the Devil Blues with Sophie Brous

In 2001 the PJS touring project “The Billie Holiday Music Story” travelled over 11,000 kms to perform to more than 2500 people at 15 regional centres and towns throughout Western Australia.

The PJS publishes a regular newsletter which is distributed by mail and at the weekly Monday night performances. The newsletter inludes all details of upcoming PJS performances as well as regular jazz gigs around Perth, recorded and live reviews and other information.

The PJS also distributes a weekly e-newsletter to more than 1100 individuals, detailing upcoming events by the PJS and other organisations.

The PJS performs occasional concerts outside its regular Monday nights at The Charles Hotel, including its Jazz At The Movies series at the "Camelot Outdoor Cinema" www.camelot.com.au over the summer months, concerts for The Perth Winter Arts Festival and hosts a stage at the York Jazz and Soul Festival.

The PJS also hosts the Smarter Than Smoking High School Jazz Workshop Series, with visiting national and international artists in secondary schools in metro and regional areas.

However, its main focus is on its weekly program for Western Australian jazz musicians, nurturing its younger players and creating opportunities for mature musicians.

For more information, call David Collins, PJS Administrator, on 9284 2578, or email admin@perthjazzsociety.com

Perth Jazz Society Constitution

If you are a member of PJS and would like a copy of the society's constitution please contact our adminstrator on (08) 9284 2578 or at admin@perthjazzsociety.com and we will send you a copy. If you prefer, click on the JOIN menu option and download a copy yourself.