All that is jazz

MONBULK’S John Williams is bringing jazz back to the hills.
He is hoping to set up a regular jam session at the Dandenong Ranges Music Council (DRMC) in Upwey.
Williams, 64, has been playing the clarinet for more than 30 years.
He started learning classical music at the age of 11 but it’s his passion for jazz that really drives him.
Williams recently approached the DRMC to set up a jazz jamming session.
He is now calling for interested musicians to join the group.
Williams said he used to play with a number of people across the hills but they all had bands of their own now.
“I just wanted to have a jam,” he said.
Williams has played across the hills over the years and even took part in Monbulk’s Jazz Festival which was cancelled in 2006.
He said it would be great to see the festival up and running again.
But in the meantime, Williams is excited about setting up a hill jazz group.
He said trombone players, trumpeters, base players, guitarists, a banjo player, a pianist and a drummer were all needed to form the group.
The first jazz jam will be held on Friday 19 June at the DRMC, Burwood Highway, Upwey from 7.30pm.
Williams hoped the jam sessions would become a weekly event.
Anyone interested in joining the group should contact Williams on 9752 0178.