The MEMO Music Hall St Kilda Jazz Summit

A wonderful selection of local and interstate Jazz artists are bringing their unique flair and original vibe to The Memo St Kilda Jazz Summit including some of Melbourne’s finest jazz exponents covering styles from 1920s to the sounds of today.

From glorious a capella voices with inspiring world music rhythms to uplifting gospel.

From raunchy blues belting to Swinging hot Jazz and the essence of New Orleans.

Come and delve into a variety of genres from nostalgia to new compositions by some our very finestand dance the night away at The Speakeasy Ball.

Cup Weekend November Friday 1st to Cup Eve Monday November 4th

[FROM THE MEDIA RELEASE]

The Memo Music Hall St Kilda Jazz Summit came about when Nichaud Fitzgibbon and John McAll attended a wake for the illustrious drummer Lindsay Copeland (who played for Smacka Fitzgibbon for many years) which was held at The Ember lounge. Tour Manager Steve Copeland organised for both Nichaud and John to perform a song. It came out through conversation and Steve mentioned that his dad had played and recorded in the Memo Hall and that they used to record a lot of Jazz big bands there. John mentioned that Wangaratta Festival was not happening this year and that we should do something and Nichaud had the same thought so many meetings later they combined their artistic talents with the expertise of producers Simon Myers and Leticia Maher and the The Memo St Kilda Jazz Summit was born.

Simon also thought it would be a great idea to pay homage to the Jazz matriarch of St Kilda Ruby Carter who had encouraged so many Jazz performers during her years. Ruby used to sing upstairs at The Winnebago lounge regularly and had been a St Kilda fixture in the Jazz scene for many years. Simon thought it would be very special to rename it The RUBY CARTER LOUNGE. So it will be launched on Sunday November 3rd with a very special gathering of Melbourne’s finest – the best of the best – hosted by Miss Jane Clifton.

Expect to hear some gorgeous ballads all hand picked from Ruby’s repertoire.

Simon has confirmed he will be hosting regular Jazz gigs in The Ruby Carter lounge on Sundays.

We are also honouring two of our most loved artists – Vince Jones and Renee Geyer.

Vince Jones was living in St Kilda when he first came on the music scene and he of course went on to become one of our most loved original Jazz singer songwriters.

Renee Geyer is our Queen of Rhythm and Blues who has always had a love of a great Jazz Ballad. Our greatest Soul singer ever has a history with St Kilda herself.

We are including emerging young artists Jules Boult, Alma Zygier, Johnathan Skovron and some of our long time favourites, The Syncopators, will perform a Tribute to Louis Armstrong.

We will explore the glorious sounds of A capella Voices with CoCo’s Lunch and The South of The River Choir.

The Cairo Club Orchestra feat. special Jazz stylist Dexter Danbe Montgomery Brown (a.k.a. Nichaud Fitzgibbon).

Finishing up with a Cup Eve Speakeasy Ball – a return to the flamboyant old days of 1920s jazz extravagance – launching the debut of Molly and The Prohibition singing the songs of Bessie Smith plus the authentic sounds of 1930s with The Cairo Club Orchestra-direct from the Miss Fisher TV series – and a blast off with the young Turks of Jazz, The Jazz Party.