Proudly bringing jazz to Lismore for over 20 years.
What’s on in December?
Kwasi Bruni
KwasiBruni big band celebrates the spirit of Afro-Cuban ‘descargas’ style (or jam session) with an added antipodal, (or
‘Austro-Cuban’) twist. KwasiBruni big band pay tribute to the legendary Latin and Salsa pioneers from the 1950s and
1960s, such as Cachao Lopez, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaría, and the Palmieri brothers.
KwasiBruni big band is co-led by bassist Barry Hill (Amphibian, The Bird, Dha) and expat Colombian pianist Camilo
Losada. The big band has achieved major success this year with a concert at Brisbane Festival and a spot at this year’s
Woodford Folk Festival.
For this special performance, Kwasi co -founder and bandleader Barry Hill re-unites with his amphibian trio bandmate
and brother Matt Hill who will be sitting in on keyboards.
Continuing the family tradition, Kwasi welcomes back into the horn section local (now Sydney based) alto and tenor
saxophonist Gabriella Hill; fresh from performances with her own ensemble at West Jazz Festival, SIMA International
Women’s Jazz Festival and SoundOut Festival.
Kwasi will feature new member Sofi Palermo (Argentina) on percussion/vocals and Brisbane’s top note extraordinaire
and now Kwasi regular guest Jeremy Williamson on trumpet in what will be a truly massive band!
The Broken Levee Brass Band
Our jazz community
Welcome to the Lismore Jazz Club, where we regularly host local or touring jazz artists.
Our aim is to bring diverse musical experiences to our community and to foster a deeper appreciation for jazz, whether you're a jazz enthusiast or simply curious.
We're committed to supporting and encouraging our community's considerable musical talent, including that of young and emerging musicians.
At the Lismore Jazz Club, you can hear world-class live performances and support musicians right here in the Northern Rivers region.
Join us as we celebrate the breadth of jazz and its vibrant presence in our community.
The original committee of the Lismore Jazz Club
Front (L to R): Syd Sycamore, Carol Sycamore, Joan Heaton, Doug Heaton and John Flynn
Back (L to R): Pietro Fine, Davey Rankin, John Bancroft and Michael Bird
The history of the Jazz Club
In July 2004, the Lismore Jazz Club emerged onto the scene, born from the vibrant energy needed to organize the 60th Australian Jazz Convention.
Lismore was the chosen host city for the December 2005 event, thanks largely to the irrepressible Davey Rankin, who championed the town as the perfect venue.
The club’s first official fundraiser hit the stage in late Spring 2004 at the Lismore RSL Club, nestled behind Heritage Park. Local bands and impromptu jam sessions kicked off a series of gigs across the region. Venues like Lismore City Hall, The Frog and Peach Restaurant in Wyrallah, Ballina Seagulls Club, Lismore Heights Bowls Club, and the Winsome Hotel in North Lismore buzzed with the sweet sounds of jazz. The tireless efforts of musicians and singers, who often played for little more than “beer money,” laid the groundwork for the upcoming Convention.
By April 2005, the Lismore City Bowls Club became the heart of ‘Sunday Arvo Jazz,’ earning its reputation as Lismore’s premier live music venue. The unwavering support from the management, staff, and members of the City Bowlo has been invaluable, making it a beloved spot for both LJC events and performances by broader music and arts communities.
In 2005 and 2006, LJC spiced things up with cabaret nights in the Fountain Room at Lismore City Hall. These Jazz Supper Club events, complete with a licensed bar and BYO finger food policy, featured stars like the legendary Bob Barnard, the George Washingmachine String Band, and ensembles led by Elizabeth Lord, Sharny Russell, and Marilane de Mello.
November 2006 saw the club’s crowning achievement: a grand cabaret concert in the City Hall auditorium. “Opera Does Jazz” fused the classics of Gershwin and Porter with the talents of Opera Australia’s Kate Sheppeard and Juan Jackson, backed by the Jack Thorncraft Trio. With this event, the Lismore Jazz Club had truly come of age.
Australian Jazz Convention in our town of Lismore, 2005.