What a week at @australiajazzschool 🎵 I like putting myself in environments where it requires a stretch out of my comfort zone and into meaningful growth, and it certainly was that! Five 12 hour days of band rehearsals, listening sessions, jamming, vocal tutorials and performances. Every day we learnt at least 2 tunes and performed them at a hotel in the evening. We were incredibly blessed to have some of the best jazz musicians in the world @michellenicollejazz @simonpurcelljazzpiano @juliansiegel @ronnyferella & Ben Robertson from the UK and Australia as our tutors. I never been in the company of musicians with so much skill, knowledge, humility and heart. They really were on another level and definitely made me appreciate both the tangible and intangible qualities of music so much more. I couldn’t help but cry when thanking one of my tutors because he picked a tune to learn that was a salve to my soul, I needed to sing it in the midst of such a full on week. It’s hard knowing what you don’t know! And of course meeting fellow musicians who were there to learn and enjoy the satisfying process of making music together… what a joy. Just taking some time to process it all!.

Thanks Quinton. Its been nice having a few days of reflection on course. It wasn’t quite what I expected and I have learnt things that I didn’t know I had to learn. The real benefit for me is that it was quite humbling and allowed me to know now where I am at with my playing and I have a good idea on what I need and want to work on next. Was great to have access to people I wouldn’t usually have access to and I have been able to meet music contacts all around the country. I am currently chatting to people in Byron Bay about doing a gig who I met at the course. Well done.

What an exhausting week but that's what I expected, a full immersive experience into contemporary jazz with tutors of international acclaim. I may have protested against the steep learning curve and frustrated tutors with my slow recall and understanding of the various scales, arpeggios and chords BUT I am so glad I brought along my Eb / alto saxophone and found a place in the band mix of groups. I've been surprised how my brain has been playing tricks since I returned home. The set piece that Julian introduced to the Sherriff's Office Band - 'Thembi' which was new to me, popped into my head when I woke two mornings after we performed on Friday evening. Six days after the Thursday jam club, I awoke this morning to the four bar groove lead into Jack playing the trumpet melody line for 'Cantaloupe Island'... the groove on repeat! Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the inaugural jazz school. The tutors were inspiring. The folks in the Sherriff's Office band were great and supportive and I met several women who have been in the local Melbourne jazz scene for years. Special thanks to you Quinton for the concept and execution of a fantastic project. Cheers- Ann

I had a ball at the inaugural Australia Jazz School. What's not to like about five intensive days of making music, learning and then making more music? The tutors were great educators and musicians. I learned a lot about practising and developing improv skills as well as working up a performance in a band. Seeing other participants grow in their performances over the week was heart-warming. Thanks to the tutors, organisers and supportive uni people who put the whole show together - and of course to fellow musicians. I trust that some adventures in jazz will happen with new friends. I look forward to doing it all again next year.

I attended the first Australian Jazz School in Ballarat in April 2024. It was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed the intensive immersion under the guidance of world class tutors. There were many opportunities to play - with tutors in the small ensemble sessions, at daily performances, during informal jam sessions, and at the public gig at the end of the week. I especially enjoyed the opportunity to work with all the tutors, each of whom offered a unique perspective. The tutors were not only terrific musicians but were clearly committed to and passionate about jazz education. We were treated to nightly performances by the tutors. Having attended previous jazz camps in the U.S., it was a particular pleasure to meet many local musicians and hopefully this will lead to a greater sense of community in the adult amateur jazz scene. Thank you again for all the work that made this happen!

Well that was the most amazing, exhausting, fun, stressful, elating, educational, musical, mind blowing weeks of my musical life ! Thankyou to all the educators you were just …… l’m lost for words!!!! Thank you Quinton for all your hard work to make it happen. Australia Jazz School

Thanks for all your help during the course. Amazing experience. It's really changed my playing, especially my rhythm playing. It's also changed the way I hear music given we spent 5 days working on composition and the way the different instruments work together. Thank you!!