NIMA - Newcastle Improvised Music Association

28/10/2026

3rd November, LIVE at NIMA: Number J***y.
The inventive Danish/Australian trio Number J***y return with Composure, their third album, taking their new music on a national Australian tour.
The trio of Kristian Borring (guitar), Zac Grafton (double bass) and Peter Evans (drums) have toured extensively across Australia in recent years, including a featured performance at the Perth International Jazz Festival in 2024.

Number J***y have become known for combining exciting rhythms and unusual time signatures with lyrical melodies, rich harmony and a strong sense of interplay. Led by internationally acclaimed guitarist Kristian Borring, the trio brings together three distinctive musicians whose performances balance intricate compositions with spontaneity and improvisation.

Following the critical success of their second album Birak, Composure presents a new collection of original music and modern arrangements of standards and
classical hymns, continuing to develop the trio’s distinctive sound. The album launch
marks the beginning of another national tour, bringing Number J***y’s dynamic live performances to audiences around Australia.

“Masterly, organic, tight.”
— X-Press Magazine
“For all its rhythmic complexities the music remains eminently melodic and
accessible.”
— The Jazz Mann
“Inventive and unyielding... memorable themes and great playing.”
— Dingo Jazz

​
Kristian Borring – Guitar
Kristian Borring
Zac Grafton – Double Bass
Zac Grafton
Peter Evans – Drums
Tickets online or at the door.
https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/number-junky-2
03 Nov 2026, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Grand Hotel, 32 Church St, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia

21/10/2026

Tuesday 27th October at NIMA; Join long-standing Central Coast trio The O.B.3 (Oh Bee Three) as they launch their album, ‘Wednesday Night Delights’ Part 2, showcasing a vibrant new collection of originals born from the band’s much-loved weekly residency at the Ocean Beach Hotel in Umina Beach NSW, since 2023.
At its heart, Wednesday Night Delights celebrates a unique Central Coast tradition: a midweek gathering where locals, music lovers, and guest artists come together to create something bigger than a gig —a space for collaboration, creativity, and genuine connection. . Recorded with the same energy and spontaneity that defines their live shows, Wednesday Night Delights captures The O.B.3 in full flight : deep grooves, bold improvisation, and the kind of musical connection that only comes from playing together week after week.

Their album features standout guest vocal performances from Gerard Masters and Phoebe Haselden, adding a powerful dimension to the trio’s signature sound. Expect a high-energy night of originals, guest features, and the unmistakable live atmosphere that inspired the album in the first place.

“This album is really about documenting a feeling—the vibe of a packed room on a Wednesday night, the band pushing each other, and the guests bringing their own magic to the stage.”

Aaron “Baz” Flower – Electric Guitar
Aaron Flower
Matt Lamb – Double Bass
Toby Hall – Drums & Percussion
Toby Hall

Featured artists:
Gerard Masters – Keys
Gerard C Masters
Phoebe Haselden – Singapore Violin

Tickets: https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/the-o-b-3-trio-ft-gerard-masters-and-phoebe-haselden

18/10/2026

Steve chats with Aaron 'Baz' Flower ahead of his upcoming performance with O.B.3 Trio next Tuesday 27th October....

The Nightfly with Steve Gaul · Episode

14/10/2026

Tuesday 20th of October at NIMA: STEPH RUSSELL BAND.
Newcastle powerhouse singer-songwriter Steph Russell will showcase her unique blend of soul, folk and contemporary jazz with some orginals in the mix.
Born and raised in Newcastle, Steph is a versatile artist whose sound draws seamlessly across genres. As a jazz graduate from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, she holds both the prestigious Generations in Jazz Vocal Scholarship and the 2MBS Ken Weatherley Scholarship. Regularly performing at major venues and festivals across Newcastle, Sydney, and beyond, she continues to carve out a distinctive voice in the national music scene. Following her acclaimed releases In The Water (2019) and Live at Johnston St (2024), Steph now presents her 2026 album of original music, performed alongside a dynamic seven-piece Sydney band, this release firmly cements her reputation as one of Australia’s most engaging and vital contemporary artists.

Tix online or at the door. https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/steph-russell-band-5
20 Oct 2026, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Grand Hotel, 32 Church St, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia

Steph Russell – Vox
Ned Olive – Alto Sax
Felix Lalanne – Guitar
Matt Thomson – Keys
Brendan Clark – Bass
Ryan Mooney – Drums

13/10/2026

Sunday 25th October at Newcastle Conservatorium 2-4.30pm.
Award winning local jazz pianist/composer Terence Koo will be releasing his fourth album "Postcards from Eternity" live on a Steinway concert grand. The energy shifts for act two with the Newcastle Conservatorium Showband, directed by Jeremy Borthwick and featuring Terence Koo on keys. Hear the next gen of funk musos play banger Soul, R&B, Funk, Latin and Pop classics and hits.

Join us for one incredible afternoon celebrating Terence Koo's album launch.

06/10/2026

Tuesday 13th of October at NIMA: Adam Miller Trio.

With a career spanning over 20 years, Adam Miller had early beginnings as a solo guitar virtuoso before expanding into session playing, producing, mix & master engineering, university education, and everything in between - yet his vision for creating instrumental guitar music has never wavered. He has toured the globe, performing in the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Japan, Australia & even Afghanistan for the Australian and Allied Forces. Miller has shared stages with Les Paul, Tommy Emmanuel, Samantha Fish, Mike Stern, Charlie Hunter, Tomo Fujita, Adam Levy, Matt Schofield, Mason Stoops, Molly Miller, Josh Smith, Joey Landreth, Russell Morris, Ariel Posen, Tony McManus, Ben Gillies (Silverchair) amongst so many others.

With glowing coverage in guitar and music press worldwide, the 2002 Australian Fingerstyle Guitar Champion even has his own signature model guitar from Nik Huber Guitars.

“Often compared to Charlie Hunter, Tuck Andress, Julian Lage and Tommy Emmanuel... The jazz harmony is there, but worked seamlessly into pieces that could almost be considered closer to instrumental pop.” - Jazz Guitar

Today 25 Players Who Are Changing Guitar - Australian Guitar Magazine

‘it takes an impossibly gifted player to improvise independent melodies, harmonies, and bass lines all at the same time - while maintaining an impeccable groove. Australia’s Adam Miller is one such rare phenomenon’ - Premier Guitar Magazine.

Tickets at the door or online
https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/adam-miller-trio-5

13 Oct 2026, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Grand Hotel, 32 Church St, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia

Adam Miller – Guitar
Jono Burgess - Electric Bass
Tyson Hilder - Drums

02/10/2026

Live at NIMA, Tuesday 6th October, 8pm: Daryl Aberhart Quartet.
Join local-legend singer/songwriter Daryl Aberhart for a night of jazzy, funky fun new music he’s been cooking up in the shed . Joined by an stellar rhythm section from Sydney, expect two contrasting sets ranging from original jazz and blues, vocal standards to new instrumental and freedom-in-form works later in the evening. Daryl is an in-demand studio artist, renowned for his lyrics he wrote and sang on jazz guitarist John Scofield’s album ‘The Cat Within’. He’s also known for three Aussie Gold Albums where he transforms classic Australian pop and rock hits into sophisticated jazz, funk, and groove arrangements.

Daryl Aberhart – Keys/Vox
Harley Coleman – Guitar
Brett Hirst – Double Bass
Nic Cecire – Drums

30/09/2026

Steve Gaul chats with local double bass legend and teacher Andrew Wallace aka Wal who is also NIMA's president......
https://open.spotify.com/episode/467jUZRSTqBY0OnGje1wCm?si=teWm3mCmTK6nKuQgaI8rfg

The Nightfly with Steve Gaul · Episode

23/09/2026

Tuesday 29th of September at NIMA: James Sherlock & Lillian Albazi Quartet.

James Sherlock and Lillian Albazi are versatile and distinguished Melbourne/Naarm-based improvisers who have been performing together for a long time with careers spanning jazz, classical and experimental music. They will perform their take on jazz classics with a contemporary edge and some originals in the mix from Lillian’s upcoming album release.

Lillian Albazi is an internationally acclaimed vocalist and composer who debuted at the 2016 Melbourne International Jazz Festival and gained acclaim for her 2021 album After-Image. Her boundary-pushing work has received international radio rotation and praise from Stereogum, Australian Arts Review, Rhythms Magazine and Brooklyn Vegan. Touring across Australia, New Zealand and Europe, Albazi’s artistry bridges jazz, art music and the alternative, anchored by a captivating, emotionally charged voice.

James Sherlock is a celebrated guitarist and winner of the 1997 Ike Isaacs International Jazz Guitar Award. He has performed internationally and collaborated with Sheila Jordan, Cyrille Aimée, Jeff “Tain” Watts, John Riley, Leroy Jones, Paul Grabowsky, Howard Shore and the MSO. With six albums as a bandleader under his belt, Sherlock remains one of Australia’s leading guitarists.

“Whether interpreting a jazz standard or delivering an original composition, their interplay felt effortless yet profound… holding the audience in quiet awe from the first note to the final, lingering chord.” — Aotearoa 2025 Tour Live Review

“The Verb Not the Noun makes the case for Sherlock as one of modern jazz’s most elegant guitarists.” — Ian Patterson

“Lillian Albazi has the qualities of a fine artist – a beautiful voice, excellent presence and commitment to her art.” — Tony Gould AM

Tickets available via the NIMA website or at the door:
https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/james-sherlock-lillian-albazi-quartet
29 Sept 2026, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Grand Hotel, 32 Church St, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia

Lillian Albazi – Vocals
James Sherlock – Guitar
Michael Avgenicos - Tenor Saxophone
Thomas Botting - Double Bass

Photo credit: Celeste de Clario

17/09/2026

All ages youth music festival is happening Saturday 26th September in Broadmeadow! Tickets selling fast. Bravo to our NIMA volunteer and wonderful musician Martin Rotolo for making this happen 🎸🎸🎸