It’s great to see the growing popularity of trad-jazz duly acknowledged by Melbourne Music Week; and the New Orleans Street Party provided a showcase of some of the best acts in town. While it’s a gamble to hold an outdoor gig during Melbourne’s fickle spring weather, you’ve got to hand it to stoic Melburnians – in true music loving spirit, the sold out event saw 1400 people brave uncertain skies to get down and party.
Unfortunately the rain meant a quiet start for the Victorian College of the Arts jazz and improv ensembles. Switched-on event organisers were handing out clear plastic ponchos, so a smattering of plastic-clad peeps hung around food trucks or clung to slim shelter beneath building eaves.
By time The Lagerphones hit the stage, the clouds had drifted out and the crowds drifted in. The lively trad jazz sextet – featuring trumpet, trombone, clarinet, double bass, banjo and drums – soon had the crowd bopping and pairs of swing dancers doing some seriously fancy footwork. On songs such as Apartment Block Blues, trumpeter Ben Harrington and trombonist James Macaulay shared vocal harmonies. The New Orleans vibe was well and truly rolling.
The Furbelows kept the party going with their happy, upbeat 1930s-era tunes, featuring gorgeous three-part harmonies from Kelsey James, Lisa Salvo and Georgie Darvidis. The swinging rhythms came courtesy of Mark Elton on double bass and Sam O’Halloran and Jon Delaney on acoustic guitars.
After dark clouds rolled back in and let loose, the party got down and dirty with Adam Rudegeair’s Bayou Tapestry. Led by Rudegeair on keys and a top-hatted Henry Manetta on vocals, they funked it up with a swampy voodoo vibe. Backed by electric guitar and bass, drums, trumpet and sax, tracks like Yam Man and Deja Voodoo served a tasty Southern flavour with the funk.
Horns of Leroy have built a solid following over the past few years and they sure know how to get everyone dancing with their big brass New Orleans sound. They opened with a cracking rendition of Go to the Mardi Gras and threw a few original songs into their energetic set.
The temperature dropped at least another five degrees, but the stayers were rewarded with an awesome set from local legends The Hoodangers. The sextet have been brewing trad-jazz with hints of folk, punk and reggae for about 20 years, accumulating loyal fans in Australia and Europe. Ben Gillespie (trombone and vocals) entertained with local narratives like St Vincent’s Hospital and Eugene Ball, who’d raced across town from another gig to join them, was mesmerising on trumpet. It was totally worth staying out in the cold until the final song.
BY KAYE BLUM
Loved: Melbourne’s cruel weather didn’t deter the whole crowd.
Hated: Only beer or rum-based booze available. Dark portaloos.
Drank: Rain.
