Jazz in the Grampians

It's that time again. February is the Grampians Jazz Festival which is held at Halls Gap each year. This 26th year was another wonderful weekend with almost perfect weather while we spent a few days with a fine selection of Jazz musicians from all over the country.

Mum & I drove up on Friday afternoon stopping at our favourite little cafe in Beaufort for a late lunch on the way. Once settled in we joined the many other Jazz fans at the registration point to pick up our badges and programs for the weekend. $55.00 gets you into all venues for the entire weekend. The tiny town in the spectacular Grampians is the ideal setting for this event and no matter where you are wandering you can hear the sounds of Jazz from early morning to late at night. Even right at the top at the Pinnacle Lookout, I believe. No I haven't walked up there to find out but many others have.

We found our seats in the main marquee, right in the front row, and settled in for a fabulous night of music and laughter as about 12 bands entertained us until midnight. After leaving we stopped at Ralphies on the way home for a hot chocolate and found more musos still playing in make up bands. A wonderful clarinet player, Nick Polites who is almost 90, was still playing when we left and looking like he was in for the night. No idea when they went to bed but we went home at 12.30am.

Saturday morning is the street parade and this is always lots of fun with many of the Jazz clubs dressing up and getting into the spirit of the event. Of course the grand parade led by the very official looking bandmaster and followed by trombones, clarinets, trumpets, drums, washboards and many others gets everyone into the mood for the rest of the day with lots of fun and loud music.

Saturdays program runs from midday to midnight and again sees bands from all over the country. A favourite of ours is Gail Kingston & the Hot Foot Jazz from Adelaide. She always fills the marquee and has the place rocking. Maryborough Jazz Band is another show stopper which people can't get enough of. A group of young muicans playing there 2nd year here filled the main marquee both days and were thrilled to do so. Shirazz were wonderful and I think we have just witnessed the beginning of a very successful career in Jazz. Many of the musos play in other groups for the weekend so we get to see favourite players many times during the weekend. Once the program was finished we visited Ralphies again for another nightcap and more music from the make up bands. Bed time was a little later that night.

Sundays start a little earlier with bands playing at a church service in the main marquee. We did not attend this but did hear the final hymn as we walked over for the morning session to start. One day I must go. The rest of the day was spent picnicing outside the marquee as we enjoyed the sunshine and the music. Sunday night we all gathered as usual at the picnic shelter for a bar-b-que tea with other members of the Peninsula Jazz Club and many other folk who just come and join in as a variety of musicians entertained us for the evening. The festival attracts many people throughout the weekend both old and young but my favourite spectator this year just had to be this little dog. It just sat on that little rug all weekend with eyes glued to the stage. Mum & Dad did take it out for frequent pit stops between sessions.

Just one very sad note here, Jeremy Cookes, the piano man who has played at this function for the last few years had passed away in November with a very sudden and aggressive cancer. We all missed him so much and it was wonderful to see so many people continue to play his piano in his memory. His wife had brought it over from Adelaide and all his friends took part in a tribute show for him and the money we collected was donated to Cancer Research in his name. Over the weekend 3 separate events collected well over $500 just by passing the hat around.

Usually Mum & I leave on Monday morning but this year we had booked in for another day so as to attend another event on Monday. We had a wonderful day just browsing the little shops on Monday morning before joining the others at the Caravan Park. Here another group of musos entertained us for 3 hours while we relaxed in the afternoon sunshine with drinks & nibblies.
On the way home from here we met friends having a coffee and they invited us to have dinner with them at Kookaburra Bar & Cafe that night. Here we joined a group of people from the Geelong Jazz Club and had a great night listening to John Morrison & friends as they played until late into the night. An absolutely wonderful end to a great weekend and yes we are staying another day next year as well.

Once home on Tuesday it was an early night for this tired little vegemite and back to work the next day. Bill came home on Wednesday night from NSW and we caught up for the first time in nearly 2 weeks. On Thursday night we had dinner with Matt & Amber who came up from Narre Warren. We went around the corner to a little place called The Olive Tree. I had been there once but Bill had not and once again we were all impressed. Bill & Matt had Duck Risotto which was delicious. Mine & Amber's meal were very tasty too and so big that we didn't think we would need to eat again for a week. It was good to see them again and catch up on all their news.

So with another week drawing to a close it's time to say bi for now and see what the next weekend will offer.

until next time.......