Ballarat Jazz Club

THERE are few souls that cannot be soothed, or uplifted, by being immersed in some jazz music.

This makes the Ballarat Jazz Club a friend to many, with a great regular program of live music already lined up to host for the new year ahead.

The club, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in November, meets monthly at the Ballarat Golf Club in Sturt Street, Alfredton, to host live Sunday afternoon jazz sessions featuring an ever-varied feast of bands.

Alongside trad-style jazz, the club hosts many other styles as well, life member and current committee member Gerard Ballinger said.

“Swing, Gypsy swing, American songbook-type singers, all styles of jazz including big band,” Mr Ballinger said.

“We have over 100 members and we’d love to get more.”

The club is eager to attract younger people and is looking to welcome new committee members as well.

“For around the last 10 years we’ve supported a scholarship for Ballarat High School with an annual award, and we provide support for the school to put on an annual concert at the club.

“There’s quite a few life members involved with the club and there’s strong interest to continue to grow the club.”

In keeping with the reason the club formed back in 1985, current members are keen to explore opportunities ahead for Ballarat to once again host the annual Australian Jazz Convention as it so successfully did originally, and then again through 2015-2018.

“I’m a bit of a jazz nut myself,” Mr Ballinger conceded.

He said the ongoing program of quality live music that the club offers is affordable, and even more so with membership.

“People absolutely rave about the social aspect and the quality of music we’re presenting,” he said.

“Ballarat is extremely privileged to have these performers to come along at very reasonable cost. More and more people are getting involved and it’s a wonderful atmosphere.”

Looking ahead to the new year, regular Sunday monthly performance start times have shifted from 1pm to 2pm with The Syncopaters first up on 11 January, followed by The Martini Set on 8 February, and New Brunswick Stompers on 15 March, to name just a taste of the acts ahead.

“You can arrive early and have lunch before the band starts, and it’s every month for the whole year,” Mr Ballinger said.

“If anybody wants to join the club they get the newsletter and the opportunity to really be involved. It’s full steam ahead for ’26.”