In the spirit of the New York jazz clubs, the Bennetts Lane BIG Band was conceived in 2001, as a vehicle to progress and present an all-Australian, all-original contemporary jazz artform for an extended improvising ensemble.

The diverse selection of Melbourne's most renowned young improvisers and composers, combine to create an eclectic mix of genres and sounds; from the traditional/post-bop to the free/avante guarde.

While avoiding direct categorisation, audiences of the Bennetts Lane BIG Band can be assured a cutting edge experience, where the musicians are perpetually taking risks aspiring toward a new ensemble aesthetic of improvised jazz music.

All new tunes, some new band members, and a whole heap of fun.

The Juilliard Jazz Sextet features Carl Allen on drums and Rodney Jones on guitar alongside graduate students from the Jazz Faculty of the Juilliard School, New York including Matthew Jodrell (trumpet), Michael Thomas (saxophone), John Tate (bass) and Chris Ziemba (piano). The sextet are in Melbourne for one week running an intensive jazz course at Trinity College, The University of Melbourne, for students 14- 17 years who are passionate about jazz. With more than 200 recordings to his credit, the gifted Milwaukee-born, New York-based drummer, sideman, bandleader, entrepreneur, and educator, Carl Allen's profound and propulsive percolations provided soulful and syncopated support for over three decades (including Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, Herbie Hancock and Sammy Davis Jr). Hailed by guitar master George Benson as "a legend among musicians," Rodney Jones continues to push the boundaries of modern jazz guitar playing. Throughout his career he has played with Dizzy Gillespie, Hank Jones, Milt Jackson, Joe Henderson and Quincy Jones.

This performance at Bennetts Lane will be the Juilliard Jazz Sextet's only public performance whilst here in Melbourne.

For enquiries about the Juilliard Winter Jazz School please click here or contact jazz@trinity.unimelb.edu.au