$25.00 – $30.00

Following an acclaimed Jazzlab residency with his quartet in September, pianist and composer Jex Saarelaht — a stalwart of the Melbourne musical landscape for over five decades — returns to present his own distinctive compositions, alongside lesser-travelled works by jazz composers such as Geri Allen and Andrew Hill.

He will be joined by three outstanding younger musicians: trumpeter and electronics improviser Niran Dasika (2019 Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year); bassist Umar Zakaria (named Best Jazz Artist by Recorded Music New Zealand for his debut album Fearless Music); and master drummer James McLean (recipient of the 2016 Freedman Jazz Fellowship).

“Rhythmic power is a signal feature of Jex Saarelaht’s music. It’s just bloody great to hear thrilling justice being done to the beating heart of this great genre.”
— Ian Muldoon, review of Jex Saarelaht Quartet, Esto-Cubist Jazz Festival 2025, ericmyersjazz.com

The Melbourne Jazz Co-operative:

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.