The Jazzlab

21/05/2026

Michelle Nicolle Quartet✨

Friday, June 12 @ 8 PM
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Michelle Nicolle, hailed as Australia’s preeminent female jazz singer, is a living embodiment of artistry and elegance in the jazz world. She has appeared at festivals all over Australia and the world – from Tokyo to Siberia.

Improvisor and composer Michelle has for the last 26 years led one of Australia’s most lauded creative jazz ensembles “The Michelle Nicolle Quartet”. She’s sang with Wynton Marsalis and the JLCO with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and with Kurt Elling.

Releasing 12 distinct albums Michelle’s most recent recording projects were both released in 2025. The Silent Wish is an adventurous duo album recorded in LA featuring legendary US guitarist, Larry Koonse and Noir (ABC JAZZ) is a luscious duo album with illustrious Australian pianist/composer, Paul Grabowsky.

For this concert Michelle and her group will turn on a celebration of music, showcasing her original songs from her 10th release, ABC JAZZ album, 10 – Michelle Nicolle Live at The Jazzlab and some classic repertoire that the Michelle has recorded over the last 26 years.

“This beautiful album (10 – Michelle Nicolle Live at The Jazzlab) is a simply breathtaking achievement, with Nicolle covering all aspects of jazz singing with compelling authority. *****” The Weekend Australian, Aug 2024”

“This is vocal intimacy nonpareil. Nicolle is intense and powerful… she has a gymnast’s flair in her melodic approach and embellishment.” Bebop Spoken Here (UK), April 2025

“Michelle Nicolle’s approach is original, her interpretation singular, resembling no other.”
Paris Move, Feb 2025

Featuring:

Hugh Stuckey – Guitar

Tom Lee – Bass

Ronny Ferella – Drums

19/05/2026

Alexandra Ivanova Trio (AT) ft. Sunny Kim✨

Tuesday, June 9 @ 7:30 PM

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Sensitivity and captivating rhythms characterize the sound of the Berlin-based Alexandra Ivanova Trio, led by Austrian pianist and composer Alexandra Ivanova, whose Bulgarian roots inform a richly cross-cultural approach. Drawing on a wide range of influences, Alexandra brings what All About Jazz describes as an “unorthodox approach to her compositions.”

For this exclusive Melbourne concert, the trio—featuring Judith Ferstl (AT) on double bass and Axel Filip (AR/DE) on drums—will be joined by vocalist and improviser Sunny Kim, one of the city’s most distinctive musical voices. Sunny and Alexandra first met at the Banff Centre’s intercultural music residency in Canada, where they formed a powerful connection through their shared third-culture identities and mutual passion for storytelling, ancestry research, and deep listening.

Together, they navigate a rich musical terrain that moves fluidly between jazz, Eastern classical traditions such as maqam, Balkan odd meters, and Afro-Cuban clave, all interwoven with live electronic exploration.

Alexandra’s compositions emerge from a deeply personal journey into themes of ancestry and belonging. Her arrangements of Arabic and Azeri standards, alongside Bulgarian and Icelandic folklore, invite listeners to engage with the universal through shifting cultural perspectives—from East to West, and the spaces in between.

Sunny’s luminous vocality, inventive improvisation, and extensive experience in cross-cultural collaboration blend seamlessly with the trio’s transcultural sound, promising a compelling, one-night-only performance.

“In every sense of the word, a musician out of the ordinary” — Jazz thing

18/05/2026

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This is Water – Ben Van Gelder & Reinier Baas (NL)

Thursday, June 4 @ 7:30 PM
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Saxophonist Ben van Gelder and guitarist Reinier Baas proudly announce the release of their third collaborative record, This Is Water. The album is a testament to their unique artistic synergy, rooted in the American jazz tradition while infused with unmistakable European flair. Drawing from a shared musical vocabulary developed over 15 years of collaboration, Baas and van Gelder effortlessly navigate a diverse range of moods and atmospheres.

Four deeply authentic musicians — each greatly admired by the duo — make guest appearances on This Is Water. Baas and van Gelder wrote new music specifically for each artist, creating tailor-made compositions designed as expressive vehicles that highlight their individual strengths, with a strong focus on improvisation.

Pianist Cory Smythe contributes singular, ethereal textures, challenging the duo to venture into unknown microtonal territory. Drummer Jeff Ballard — a childhood hero to both musicians — radiates a profound understanding of music and its power to connect and communicate selflessly. The album also features drummer Han Bennink and pianist Marta Warelis, both uncompromising artists willing to sacrifice perfection in pursuit of emotional resonance.

This Is Water takes inspiration from the commencement speech of the same name by American novelist David Foster Wallace. In the speech, Wallace presents the following parable:

“There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says “Morning, boys. How’s the water?” The two young fish swim on for a bit, eventually one of them looks over at the other and asks “What the hell is water?”

With this parable, Wallace introduces the idea that individuals should exercise conscious choice to interpret reality. He suggests that through “simple awareness,” people possess the freedom to find significance and liberation even in the most mundane aspects of life.

18/05/2026

Yunior Terry’s Inner Space✨

Saturday, May 30 @ 8 PM
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Carl Mackey – alto sax
Julien Wilson – tenor sax
Jordan Murray – trombone
Lewis Pierre – drums

Yunior Terry is a Cuban bassist, violinist, and composer, internationally recognised for his complex grooves and contagious rhythms that fuse jazz with Afro-Cuban traditions.

The youngest son of one of Cuba’s most gifted musical families, Terry is a prolific performer driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of live music.

Regarded as one of New York City’s most sought-after bass players, he has toured extensively with artists including Jerry Gonzalez and Fort Apache, Eddie Palmieri, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Ravi Coltrane, The Latin Jazz All Stars, and Jeff “Tain” Watts, among many others.

18/05/2026

Umar Zakaria’s ‘ASLIBOP’ Ensemble✨

Sunday, May 24 @ 7:30 PM
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“Aslibop” is a bold new approach to improvisation combining the intricate melodic traditions of bebop and Malay asli music, developed over years of dedicated research by Malay bassist Umar Zakaria into the musical culture of his Singaporean Malay heritage.

The Aslibop Ensemble extends the bounds of both jazz and Malay improvisational worlds by exploring their experimental concepts throughout Umar’s original Malay-themed compositions and arrangements.

Their performance will present a delicate dance of the familiar with the unfamiliar, interweaving distant yet complementary wisdoms to discover a new musical perspective with a sound of its own. Featuring Flora Carbo (alto saxophone), Andy Sugg (tenor saxophone), Yemo Wang (guitar), Umar Zakaria (double bass), Kyrie Anderson (drums) and Qamar Baba (percussion).

16/05/2026

14/05/2026

Nadav Rayman Trio & Special Guests✨

Thurs, June 11 @ 7:30 PM
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Shapeshifting and soulful instrumental jazz continues to evolve with the Nadav Rayman Trio, whose debut album Second Sight earned an Australian Music Prize nomination for “an outfit stretching out musically, while still remaining remarkably accessible.”

The trio – featuring Nadav Rayman (Piano), Matthew Coleman (Bass) and Michael Evans-Barker (Drums) – explores the dynamic intersection of contemporary soul jazz and hip-hop, delivering energetic performances that showcase Melbourne’s most compelling vocal and hip-hop talent.

For this show, the trio is joined by four extraordinary guests; NY-born dreamy RnB vocalist Shira, dexterous MC and soulful vocalist Hyina Mufasa, revered wordsmith and MC Tumi the Be and emerging jazz guitar talent Monty Price.

Performing two sets of original compositions by the trio and guest artists, this is an unmissable showcase of contemporary jazz innovation fused with R&B and hip-hop sensibilities.

14/05/2026

Jojo Smith with Checkerboard Lounge✨

Friday, May 22 @ 8 PM

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One of Australia’s unsung treasures, JoJo Smith brings soul, love, and a golden spirit through the power of music. With a voice that stirs the heart and songs that truly shine, JoJo delivers performances full of warmth and authenticity.

Joined by the supergroup Checkerboard Lounge, this rare Melbourne show is not to be missed—an invitation to let all the feels dance.

“Since her arrival in Australia in the late ’70s, New Zealand-born JoJo Smith has cemented her place among the nation’s most gifted and admired singer/songwriters/musicians. Her greatness manifests in many ways: a deep understanding of the nuances across genres she explores—Gospel, Jazz, Soul, R&B, Blues, Latin—an emotional connection to the lyrics she writes and interprets, and an elastic voice—demure one moment, tough and decisive the next. Her technique is in perfect sync with the numerous A-list musicians she has worked with throughout her career.JoJo has that special stage presence that only the finest singers possess. No histrionics—just a deep connection with audience and fellow musicians. Listen to her recordings, see her perform, and experience the artistry of this exceptional woman.”
— Billy Pinnell (Radio Broadcaster/Writer)

Line-up

JoJo Smith – vocals, guitar, drums
Shannon Bourne – guitar
Tim Neal – Hammond organ
Zoë Frater – bass
Carl Pannuzzo – vocals, drums

12/05/2026

Neve & Nobel
“Esho Funi” Album Tour (BE/NL) ✨

Wednesday, June 3 @ 7:30 PM
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Pianist Jef Neve (BE) and trumpeter Teus Nobel (NL) have long been indispensable figures in the international jazz landscape. In addition to leading numerous projects under their own names, the two have toured the world together over recent years — performing across the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Canada, Japan, and Australia.

Audiences everywhere have been captivated by their infectious energy and seamless interplay — two true musical forces at work.

Their long-running collaboration has now culminated in a highly anticipated duo album, recorded live with an audience to capture the spark of their performances. The record features a mix of original compositions and jazz classics, including the title track “Esho Funi” — a Teus Nobel composition inspired by the Japanese concept of unity between self and environment.

On stage, Neve and Nobel embody this sense of connection completely. Their upcoming international album tour promises to be an exhilarating showcase of musical chemistry, creative challenge, and playful storytelling. Add in their sharp wit and engaging anecdotes, and you have the perfect recipe for a truly unforgettable night out.

05/05/2026

Checkerboard Lounge w/ Bob Sedergreen ✨

Friday, May 15 @ 8 PM

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A welcome reunion of a wonderful team—once master and apprentices, now united by the joy of playing live, with all the spirit and energy that a jazzier blues—or a bluesier jazz—can bring.

Their first collaboration drew a full house and a sold-out vinyl run of their recording, Live at Jazzlab. This return is set to be no ordinary sequel, led by Bob Sedergreen—a humble giant of Australian music—sharing his earthy songs and remarkable playing with a willing and masterful group of musical voices. Together, they create a truly dynamic and expressive band experience.

“When Checkerboard Lounge play live, no two versions of anything are ever the same. This is a supergroup of musicians able to play anything, and their collective interplay, co-creativity, and cohesion are absolutely electric.”
— PBS FM
Line-up
Carl Pannuzzo – vocals, drums
Shannon Bourne – guitar
Tim Neal – Hammond organ
Zoë Frater – bass
Bob Sedergreen – piano