Past gigs
Reviews and News
Mango Jam Big Band 12 April 2026.
Anybody who was lucky enough to have caught this fantastic gig could not have failed to be impressed by the complexity and dynamics of this quintessential big band performance of 18 superb Queensland based musicians, which celebrated the music of the great Count Basie.
Led by the piano player Alister Harrison this was not only a wonderful performance, but an education, taking the audience through the history of the 50 year Basie era. The second set was the spectacular full live performance of Basie’s seminal 1958 album “The Atomic Mr Basie”, also so known as E=MC2.
Where else in the world could you see such a performance? These were wonderful arrangements, with excellent soloists doing great justice to the artists on the original recording, which had included the likes of Thad Jones, Frank Wess, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Frank Foster, Freddie Green and The Count himself, all arranged by Neal Hefti.
A most memorable gig and a ridiculously grand performance presented by the Lismore Jazz Club. Thanks to Jason Chan who recorded some of the Tunes played at the gig, here are links to a couple of the numbers.
Michael Griffin Quintet – May 27, 2018
– we couldn't have written of our experience any better. A spot-on review.
"... there seem to be two Michael Griffins. There’s Michael Griffin who looks like a teenager, tall and long-limbed, with an air of awkwardness about him, enhanced by his cringe-worthy stage banter, his uncertain posture and a striped suit that looked a couple of sizes too big for him. And there’s another Michael Griffin, who seems to enter this realm the moment the first one touches his saxophone. It’s Michael Griffin, the alien jazz warrior, a superhero of the saxophone, who came to this planet to save us from bad music and fight the good fight of keeping be-bop relevant. When Michael Griffin’s lips touch the mouthpiece, he’s transfomed: the awkward teenager gives his place to a jazz master of superb confidence – and his pinstripe suit becomes a perfect fit. It’s uncanny."
A disappointing but very much not disappointed audience. If you missed it, give yourself a slap.
This was a 'big city' jazz-joint performance which would normally have folks involved in punch-ups at the door just to get inside to grab a good vantage point. Better hope he comes back sometime. MB
