NIMA - Newcastle Improvised Music Association

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 🎸🎸🎸

17/09/2026

Tuesday 22nd September at NIMA: Damian Wright, Ben and James Hauptmann.

Two of Australia's most unique and revered guitarists from different musical cultures come together with a shared passion for the instrument. A spectacular display of virtuosity with Jazz and Flamenco at it's core!

Damian Wright – Flamenco Guitar
Ben Hauptmann – Guitar
James Hauptmann – Percussion

Tickets: https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/damian-wright-ben-james-hauptmann

22nd Sept, 8-10pm.
The Grand Hotel, 32 Church St, Newcastle NSW 2300

https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/damian-wright-ben-james-hauptmann

Two of Australia's most unique and revered guitarists from different musical cultures come together with a shared passion for the instrument. A spectacular display of virtuosity with Jazz and Flamenco at it's core. Damian Wright – Flamenco Guitar Ben Hauptmann – Guitar James Hauptmann – Percus...

11/09/2026

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
Adam Ferrier – Trumpet
Gavin Ahearn – Piano
Jeremy Burrows – DoubleBass
Tyson Hilder – Drums

Tickets: https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/sphere-3
15 Sep 2026, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Grand Hotel, 32 Church St, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia

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

Tickets: https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/khyal-trio-1