VANDERWAL/SANDON/KELLER/CARBO/MORRISON (Perth/Brisbane/Melbourne) – Premiere

Five unique voices from all around the country get together to play each other’s music. Perth drummer Ben Vanderwal and Brisbane saxophonist James Sandon have known each other from the age of 16 in Perth, and have a special musical bond. Sandon was a member of the WAAPA faculty from 2007 to 2013 before joining the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in 2014, where he became Head of Jazz  in 2026. Having performed with James Muller for the MJC in January, Vanderwal is an in-demand collaborator with a diverse range of artists from Rai Thistlethwayte to New York bassist Linda May Oh. His new recording, Lugano, has just been released on U.S. Biophilia label. Vanderwal and Sandon have gathered three Melbourne musicians whom they love to play with, or have always wanted to play with: Andrea Keller (piano), Harry Morrison (double bass) and Theo Carbo (drums), in this premiere. They will perform originals from the band members.

Presented by The Melbourne Jazz Co-operative:

is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting original live jazz performance by established and emerging artists in Melbourne.

Since 1983 our objectives have been to increase the exposure of contemporary jazz performance by making it accessible to audiences, and to provide award waged performance opportunities for emerging and established artists.

In addition to support derived from member contributions, the MJC is assisted by  the Victorian Government, through Creative Victoria, via its Arts Development Programs. MJC was assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body from 1983-2017 inclusive, and was delighted to receive Australia Council funding of $60,000 for our 2019 program.

The MJC received $40,000 from the Australia Council over the 2021/2022 Financial Year, and was pleased to received a grant of $75,341 from Creative Australia (with Music Australia contribution) for our 2025 Annual Program.

Our sold-out 40th Anniversary Concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre in May 2023 was supported by a $20,000 grant from Creative Victoria’s Creative Projects program.