The first night for 2017 with our own Pacific Mainstream Jazz Band was promised as a toe-tapping evening where everyone would be up dancing. How true that was! The band distinguished itself with a wide selection of music to keep us all jumping.

There were a very large crowd of members and guests who made the most of the very

danceable music where the tempo was both fast and slow. Some felt they were out of practice as the beat grew faster but went back to the fray after a short rest.

Les’ crooning kept the audience entranced through numbers such as Moon River, Let There Be Love, All of Me, Mac the Knife and C’est Magnifique A few hoped for Watermelon Man but that did not feature. (maybe next time). The usual gang were there, including Nev in his signature bowler. It was good to see Scott Jorgenson there on base and to welcome new 1RAR import, Haydn Dare on trombone. We hope Haydn will join us again.

There seemed to be a number of visitors or hopefully new members, some from a younger generation. Please come back and bring your friends. We were pleased to welcome a group from the Swing Club, who dance in various venues on most nights. Please come back and join us again.  

By Judy Hunter

Pacific Mainstream Jazz Band, led by Les Nicholson on trumpet, introduced a couple of changes to the line up!  Bob Passmore returned to playing soprano sax and Scott Jorgensen came into PMJB to replace Bob on bass.  Welcome to this wonderful band Scott.  Other foundation PMJB members are still there – John Ruffle (piano), Neville Minon (trombone) plus regulars Oscar Smith (guitar & banjo) and Richard Juszczyk (drums).  Joining the band as their guest for the evening was Hayden Dare (trombone).

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PACIFIC MAINSTREAM JAZZ BAND (PMJB) 26.02.17

Jazz at the Headland: a festival that swings by the sea  13th August

Larry Thomson and friends

Bob Passmore and friends

Stokes Nicholson Big Band

Those of you who were able to attend this event will agree it was a huge success!  The weather was perfect, the music was excellent, and the Festival ran very smoothly thanks to the combined efforts of Townsville Jazz Club and the Townsville branch of Picnic Bay Surf Life Saving Club. Our musicians all excelled themselves and delivered a wonderful afternoon of Jazz – The Jazz Fusion of the Borg Collective

Bob Passmore’s group Sugar playing Swinging Standards

Jeremy Hawker’s band with their version of The Pub with no Beer and Horses, amongst many other favourites

PMJB playing traditional and swing Jazz always very pleasing to our musical appetites

Freaky Bizness with their reggae, afrobeats, soul and Jazz selections

Larry Thomson and friends never fail to please

Round off the afternoon with Stokes Nicholson Big Band who never cease to amaze with their performances

Vicki Salisbury,  Marilyn Sheather,  Sara Shaw on vocals   And so the list goes on ………………

It was a pleasant surprise to see Sam Glanville on keyboard performing with the “in-between” band along with many of his friends - Thanks Sam and we look forward to your next visit back to Oz!

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Pacific Mainstream Jazz Band Fats Waller special 27 August. Les Nicholson Trumpet, Neville Minon Trombone, John Ruffle keyboard, Richard Juszczyk Drums, Oscar Smith Guitar, Scott Jorgensen Base Guitar,
Sit in: Larry Thomson.

Roger Clarke Saxophone,  Rory Clark  Keyboard, Richard Juszczyk and Ken Burnes Drums,
Bob Passmore Base Guitar, Larry Thomson Vocals and Guitar.

And below the people who enjoyed the night.

The Red Poppies band.  Nostalgia night  23 April

A lot of people dressed up for the nostalgia night

Pacific Mainstream Jazz Band  27 August

27th August – PMJB

featuring the third of their Trilogy with another great Jazz artist, Fats Waller What a great evening was held featuring the Jazz music of the great Fats Waller.  Les and boys entertained the crowd with some delightful melodies and there was plenty of dance music for the more energetic members of the crowd. (Did I see Mr Nicholson step down from the stage and try a few of his dance steps?)

Some old time favourites -

It’s a Shame to Tell a Lie, Mean to Me,  You only hurt the one you love, Black and Blue. And so the list goes on:

Thanks to PMJB for this very entertaining Trilogy of Jazz greats over the past three months.

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All the President’s Men with guests Attori

On Sunday 12 February the Jazz Club opened the doors for 2017 with a wonderful entertaining night featuring a Valentine’s Day theme. The décor set the scene with an artistic display of red and white balloons plus table and wall decorations. Many of the guests dressed in red to further enhance the theme of the night. All the President’s Men were in fine form with Larry, Les, David, Doug, Bob and joined by Ken on drums performing a fantastic program of music to suit all tastes.
Guest artists Attori added their own special flair to the evening and Rick and Michelle’s romantic rendition of “Quando Quando”, which also featured a solo by David Salisbury, was definitely a highlight of the night.

The committee should feel proud of their efforts to open the year with a splash! Congratulations, we appreciate all of the planning and energy that you put into producing such a lovely evening. Can’t wait till the next entertaining night!
By Debbie O’Donnell

All the Presidents men                                                                    Attori

Jeremy Hawker Guitar,  Monica Martin  Violin, Roger Clark saxophone,     Steve    Saxophon

   Aemon    Guitar, John Garland Drums, Bob Passmore Bass, Ken Burnes  Boom box.

Jeremy Hawker and friends   12th November

Pacific Mainstream Jazz Band 26 November.  Les Nicholson Trumpet, Bob Passmore Saxophone, Hayden Dare Trombone, John Ruffle keyboard,Scott Jorgensen Base Guitar , Doug Lye  on drums.
                                                                                                   To watch the YouTube video click here.

Roger Clarke Quartet 9 April