Navy Band to perform as part of Devonport Jazz

Published on 25 June 2019

The seven-strong Melbourne-based Royal Australian Navy Jazz Group will make it first trip to Tasmania next month to perform at the Devonport Jazz Festival.

It will also entertain local schools and perform at the Launceston Jazz Club during the visit.

The group consists of a pianist, bassist, drummer, three horn players (trumpeter, saxophonist and trombonist) and a vocalist. They will be joined by a guitarist, trumpet player and vocalist from the Hobart-based RAN Reserves band.

It will perform at the Devonport RSL Club, in MacFie Street, from 2 pm on Sunday 28 July with a $5 cover charge applying. Bookings for lunch from midday can be made with the club, on 6424 2673.

The group – which will also be on stage in the Mall between midday and 2 p.m. on Saturday 27 July as part of 7AD’s free Musos in the Mall event - has performed at many Australian jazz festivals including the Wangaratta International Jazz Festival and have supported Australian jazz greats including Don Burrows and James Morrison.

Spokesman Petty Officer Luke Kennedy said the group was formed from members of the RAN Band, based at HMAS Cerberus, in Victoria.

All are fulltime RAN members having completed the standard 11-week recruit training course and then a six to eight-week program with the band before becoming fulltime band members.

The RAN has 110 full-time musicians based at both HMAS Cerberus and HMAS Kuttabul, in Sydney.

They undertake a range of ceremonial and promotional performances on behalf of the RAN throughout the country, and sometimes overseas.

PO Kennedy said the jazz group’s repertoire ranged from jazz standards – including the works of “Dizzy” Gillespie, Louis Armstrong and Thelonious Monk – right through to more modern compositions.

He said members were excited about visiting Devonport for the festival.

“It is extremely important (that members undertake such visits) and there are many people who do not get to see a Navy Band or to learn about the Navy in general.”

To be held from 25-28 July, this year’s Devonport Festival will be headlined by the great multi-instrumentalist James Morrison and is brimming with acts from Tasmania and the mainland, which will please both jazz lovers and the general public.

Other exciting elements of the Festival include the Squeezebox Cabaret (complete with a meal, dance troupe and big band), sensational traditional band The Syncopators, a jazz tribute to the music of INXS, the ABC Radio live broadcast, a schools’ tour and Pure Jazz Sessions.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through participating venues or the paranaple arts centre. Or for the full festival experience purchase a festival pass for just $199 which gives access to more than 20 events.

Full event details can be found at www.devonportjazz.com.au

ENDS

Media Contact

Nigel Tapp |Media & Communications Officer Devonport City Council

03 6424 0562 | 0427 132 972 |[email protected]