NIMA - Newcastle Improvised Music Association

30/08/2026

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.
29 Sept 2026, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Grand Hotel, 32 Church St, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia

Lillian Albazi – Vocals Lillian Albazi
James Sherlock – Guitar .sher.1614
Michael Avgenicos - Tenor Saxophone Michael Avgenicos
Thomas Botting - Double Bass Thomas Botting

Photo credit: Celeste de Clario

30/08/2026

Tuesday 22nd September at NIMA: Khyal Trio.
Khyal Trio brings together three extraordinary musicians from diverse traditions to create a sound that is both timeless and daringly new. ARIA Award-winning tabla virtuoso Bobby Singh, and ARIA Award winning flamenco guitarist Damian Wright unite their artistry with acclaimed vocalist Sarah Hyland in a collaboration that flows between the rhythmic intricacy of Hindustani classical music, the fiery passion of flamenco, the storytelling song writer traditions - all with a quintessential improvisational freedom. A night with Khyal Trio is more than just a performance; it’s a journey across borders, rhythms, and emotions. Described as “an amazing fusion of ragas, jazz and flamenco” (Trad & Now), each show is unique, guided by the unspoken dialogue between three acclaimed musicians.

Expect to be transported, surprised, and ultimately moved by a sound that could only emerge when East meets West, tradition meets innovation, and three artists sing as one.

The relationship between Hindustani classical music and flamenco is both historic and deeply evocative, with connections stretching back to the migrations of people and culture from India through the Middle East and into Spain. The Roma people, often credited as carriers of musical traditions that shaped flamenco, are believed to have originated in northern India before moving westward. Along their journey, they absorbed elements from Persian, Arabic, and Mediterranean cultures, ultimately contributing to the fiery, expressive art form that blossomed in Andalusia. Echoes of this journey are still audible in the shared melodic sensibilities and rhythmic intensity of both Hindustani classical music and flamenco.

Sarah Hyland – Vocals
Damian Wright – Flamenco Guitar
Bobby Singh – Tablas/Percussion

30/08/2026

Tuesday 15th September at NIMA: Sphere.

Led by Grant Metcalfe, Sphere is a long standing classic jazz sextet from Newcastle that masterfully captures the ‘Blue Note and Beyond’ sound. Expect high energy, driving swing and tasty jazz grooves. With an all original Novocastrian lineup, Sphere have been playing together for decades and unite again to perform some great tunes.

Grant Metcalfe – Alto Sax
Paul Issacs – Tenor Sax Paul Isaacs
Adam Ferrier – Trumpet Big Bang Events
Gavin Ahearn – Piano
Jeremy Burrows – DoubleBass Jeremy Burrows
Tyson Hilder – Drums Tyson Hilder

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

30/08/2026

Tuesday 8th of September at NIMA: The Fret Benders.
Ben Hauptman, Guy Strazz, Jess Green, and Aaron Flower, come together in an electrifying instrumental quartet unlike anything you’ve heard before.

Expect shimmering harmonies layered with fluid improvisation, rhythms that shift from meditative to fiery, and a palette that spans jazz, world, and contemporary textures. Their interplay is conversational and deeply responsive — weaving delicate acoustic lines with electrified intensity — creating music that feels both expansive and intimate, rooted in virtuosity but alive with spontaneity.

Strazz’s lyrical global influences meet Hauptmann’s fluid virtuosity; Flower’s fearless improvisation collides with Green’s bold rhythmic invention. Together they create a dynamic conversation of strings — intricate, grooving, and deeply expressive.​

“The Fret Benders - four of Australia’s most distinctive guitar voices.” - The Village
Tickets online or at the door.
08 Sept 2026, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Grand Hotel, 32 Church St, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia

Jess Green – Guitar Jess Green
Aaron Flower – Guitar Aaron Flower
Ben Hautpmann – Guitar Ben Hauptmann
Guy Strazz – Guitar Guy Strazz

27/08/2026

Tuesday night, 1st of September: Tilly Street - All at Sea.

Tilly Street is an acclaimed Sydney-based vocalist, songwriter and bandleader. Known for her relaxed charm, resonant tone, and thoughtful phrasing, she is regarded as a natural musical storyteller with a gift for connection and a sound that draws you in. Street frequently collaborates with some of the country’s best improvising musicians. Shaped by nearly a decade in the jazz tradition, Street has an easy rapport with her audience, inviting them into something real, intimate and joyfully alive.

Tilly will be performing her debut album “All At Sea” presenting a mix of original works and co-compositions as well as selected repertoire grounded in the jazz tradition. She will be joined by a band of Sydney’s leading improvising musicians. Audiences can expect an intimate, dynamic set (with good stage banter) that is emotive, collaborative, expressive improvisation, drawing on contemporary and traditional jazz influences.

“Not only a vocalist of the highest calibre, but an endearing performer as well, who unerringly brings the listener into her orbit” - Eric Myers, Sydney Arts Guide.

Tickets via the NIMA website or at the door.
01 Sept 2026, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Grand Hotel, 32 Church St, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia.

Tilly Street – Vocals
Arthur Washington – Guitar
Andrew Scott – Piano
Max Alduca – Bass
Abby Constable – Drums

Tickets: https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/tilly-street-all-at-sea

21/08/2026

NIMA is thrilled to collaborate with West Best Bloc Fest and MARU Hi-Fi showcasing some of our talented local jazz musos on Sunday 4th October (long weekend!). For one day only, 10 stages across 9 venues in the heart of Midtown, Newcastle West will come alive with over 300 local musicians, showcasing the incredible depth and diversity of our city's music scene.More than just a festival, West Best Bloc Fest is a celebration of Newcastle's creative community—supporting local artists, venues and businesses while bringing thousands of music lovers together for one unforgettable day.

Tickets; https://www.westbestblocfest.com

20/08/2026

https://wangjazzblues.com.au

19/08/2026

Tuesday 25th of August at NIMA: Guy Strazz - Stratofibre.

Master guitarist and Jazz APRA Award winner, Guy Strazz is the composer/arranger for Stratofibre, a quartet that thrives on rhythmic melodic interplay and intuitive interaction often seeing the four players improvising simultaneously. The music incorporates modern jazz, Afro-Brazilian, and specific world grooves incorporated in Strazz’ originals as well as standards by Miles Davis, Leonard Cohen, Charlie Mingus, and Antonio Jobim.

“The Indo-jazz reinterpretation of Miles Davis’s All Blues is stunningly beautiful” - John Shand - Sydney Morning Herald

“Switched on rhythmic/melodic interplay, a great band! “ – Johnston Street Jazz

Guy Strazz – Guitar/Leader
Gerard Masters – Piano
Fiona Lugg – Double Bass
Nic Cecire – Drums

Tickets available online or at the door; https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/guy-strazz-stratofibre
25 Aug 2026, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Grand Hotel, 32 Church St, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia

17/08/2026

EARLYBIRD TICKETS ON SALE NOW for West Best Bloc Fest Sunday 4th October (long weekend!).

For one day only, 10 stages across 9 venues in the heart of Midtown, Newcastle West will come alive with over 300 local musicians, showcasing the incredible depth and diversity of our city's music scene.

Leading this year's lineup is acclaimed Australian songwriter William Crighton, joined by an outstanding lineup of Newcastle artists .

More than just a festival, West Best Bloc Fest is a celebration of Newcastle's creative community—supporting local artists, venues and businesses while bringing thousands of music lovers together for one unforgettable day.

NIMA is thrilled to showcase some of our talented jazz musos in collaboration with MARU Hi-Fi.
Tickets;

10 STAGES.9 VENUES. 1 day. GET TICKETS SUNDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2026 SUNDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2026 THE BEST OF NEWY Newcastle's biggest showcase of local music returns for its fifth year. NEWCASTLE LIVE MUSIC’S BIGGEST DAY West Best Bloc Fest has quickly become a staple of the Newcastle music scene.For one da...

11/08/2026

Tuesday 18th of August at NIMA: Andy Firth’s Retro Swing Band.
Newcastle is home to renowned clarinet virtuoso Andy Firth who will perform his arrangements spanning jazz music of all eras from Dixieland, Swing, Be Bop, Funk, Latin and Contemporary Grooves. Andy Firth has played internationally with some of the finest performers and orchestras around including Buddy deFranco at Carneggie Hall, James Morrison, Tommy Tycho and Anthony Warlow. His mastery of the clarinet and saxophone covers both classical and jazz, unrivalled expression of tone and technique, and endless devotion and enthusiasm for the music that he plays have earned Andy a reputation as a performer not to be missed!

“The first time I heard Andy Firth play, I was amazed…that was more than 35 years ago…I’m still amazed!” James Morrison (D Mus A.M)

“The finest reeds player Australia has ever produced” Maestro Tommy Tycho (D Mus. AM. MBE)

Andy Firth – Clarinet, Alto Sax, arrangements
Graeme Reynolds – Trumpet/Flugel
Jason Nelson – Trombone/Vocals
Gareth Lewis – Baritone Sax
Rachel Hamilton – Piano
Craig Goeldner – Bass
Tyson Hilder – Drums

Tickets: https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/andy-firths-retro-swing-band