Spring Newsletter - 2024
‘The Night They Called it a Day’ with Rebecca Barnard,
vocals; Monique Di Mattina, piano; Sam Lemann,
guitar & Ben Robertson, bass @ The Vue Grand Hotel on
Sunday September 8th @ midday for 12.30pm
For the second last Jazz Australia concert on Sunday September 8th at The
Vue Grand Hotel in Queenscliff, I will be presenting something very special
that I know everyone will enjoy…… this is The Night They Called it a
Day featuring the superb Australian jazz vocalist Rebecca Barnard.
Rebecca comes from a family of great Australian jazz musicians and has
certainly not let the side down! Not only is she a great vocalist but she is
also a delightful entertainer, and in so many respects is not unlike her
legendary father, the late great Len Barnard, drummer extraordinaire; both
of them individualistic entertainers.
Rebecca first sung briefly at the very first jazz concert I presented in
Melbourne at Smacka’s Place in the ‘80s when she was just 16! I was
presenting a reunion of ‘Len Barnard’s Famous Jazz Band’ featuring many
great Melbourne jazz legends including her uncle the late great
trumpet/cornetist Bob Barnard. Because it was her father’s band, Rebecca
was breaking her neck to sing with them, and little could I have known then
that 40 years later I would be presenting his by now famous daughter for
one of my final Jazz Australia presentations. I have in fact presented
Rebecca several times since then and she has always maintained her
family’s tradition of quality, and an entertaining performance.
You may have seen Rebecca on Spicks & Specks on ABC TV from time to
time and also Rockwiz on SBS, and she is also a regular guest of Jacinda
Parsons on ABC 774s ‘Afternoons’. Rebecca also conducts songwriting
workshops for people with mental illness, and young adults with
disabilities.
‘The Night they called it a Day’ is the name of her new album and it is a
‘beauty’ featuring jazz standards that have resonated with her throughout
her life. It is also a homage to the great songwriters from the 1900s
onwards and her own jazz heritage. I first heard this recording on ABC RN
one afternoon earlier this year and determined to present the Quartet in this
the 50th Anniversary of Jazz Australia.
Rebecca claims this album to be the best thing she’s ever done, and of
course it will be available for sale on Sept. 8th. The line-up on the 8th
supporting Rebecca will consist of three of Melbourne’s leading jazz
musicians with the wonderful Monique D’Mattina on piano; on guitar the
brilliant Sam Lemann, and on double bass the one and only Ben
Robertson.
This will be an entertaining and delightful afternoon of great music
accompanied by an Italian style luncheon at the Vue Grand.
Tickets are $80 and reservations can be made with me by email or phone
as soon as you like - seating is in order of booking and tickets can be paid
for on-line at: Jazz Australia CBA Hawthorn BSB 063 138 Account 1001
3193. Please do not forget to add your name to the transaction.
I look forward to seeing you if at all possible at midday for a 12.30pm start
on Sept. 8th and to celebrate the first week of Spring…. at long last!
Diana
P.S……and please don’t forget to keep Sunday November 24th free for
‘Diana’s Last Hurrah’ in the Point Lonsdale Hall, with the QHMuseum
catering for the occasion. ‘Stevenson’s Rockets’ will be providing the great
entertainment and will feature the wonderful trombonist Jens Lindgren
from Sweden as their special guest. He said to me ‘how could I miss your
Last Hurrah after all these years.’ I was thrilled!
