The monthly jazz events conducted by the Jazz Appreciation Class, in partnership with the Eltham Bowling Club, commenced in March 2017 and continue to play to capacity crowds. These jazz nights have been welcomed by the community, and have provided an opportunity to mix and meet socially with other local residents and to enjoy first-rate jazz entertainment in safe and convivial surroundings.
A Bequest Fund has been established by the Jazz Appreciation Class to use their share of the revenue from these events (after musicians’ fees, food costs, hall hire, etc have been deducted). The fund is in the name of Mal Harrop (late patron) and John Crichton (tutor). It was Mal’s express wish that the Fund be utilised to support and nurture secondary school students in the local government schools that have music programmes designed to encourage participation in, or interest in, improvised music, i.e. jazz.
This year the Fund has supported the fees of two local students who undertook 24 weeks of tuition provided by professional jazz musicians at the Jazz Improvisation Workshops conducted under the auspices of the Australian Jazz Museum. The Fund will also support three bands (from St. Helena College, Eltham High School and the Jazz Improvisation Workshops) that will perform at the Eltham Jazz, Food & Wine Festival to be held in February next year, as well as contributing towards the staging of the Festival.
The final jazz event for the year at the Green will be held on Friday, 13th December, at which the two workshop students supported by the Fund will be introduced to the audience and given the opportunity to sit-in with the professional band appearing that night.
Bookings for Jazz by the Green can only be made online and sell out quickly. Those interested in attending are advised to register their email address with Roslyn Camera from the Eltham Bowling Club on 9439 4467. They will then be informed of each event and when bookings open.
The Jazz Appreciation Class will continue to investigate means of encouraging and supporting young musicians in the community, consistent with the wishes and legacy of its late patron, Dr. Mal Harrop, OAM.