NIMA - Newcastle Improvised Music Association

10/06/2026

Tuesday 16th June at NIMA: Michael Avgenicos: Eudaemons.
Newcastle saxophonist Michael Avgenicos brings together a quartet of long standing collaborators and friends from Sydney to perform a new series of original compositions. Eudaemons roughly translates to “good demons” or “good spirits.” This concert will feature material loosely inspired by Greek myths and philosophies, dealing with themes of heroism, tragedy, and paradox. Some pieces are composed as a palette for textural, meditative improvisation, whilst others are melodic, structured and energetic. Expect to hear a thrilling expression of spirit, driven by Michael’s deep, emotive and fluid style.

Michael’s current projects include Hamed Sadeghi’s ARIA nominated groups Eishan Ensemble and Empty Voices, Matt Thomson/Alex Hirlian’s Tourismo, Paul Derricott’s COAST, Max Alduca’s Second Sight, Avgenicos Brothers’ Reduction, and his new jazz quartet, Eudaemons. Michael was recently featured as one of 6 finalists at the National Jazz Awards Saxophone competition, and has performed with many notable names in Australia including Barney McAll, Sandy Evans, Mike Nock, Lloyd Swanton, Jeremy Rose, Peter Koopman, Aaron Blakey, and more.

Michael Avgenicos – Sax
Peter Koopman – Guitar
Max Alduca – Double Bass
Tim Geldens – Drums

Event starts at 8pm
Tickets available at the door or via the NIMA website.https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/michael-avgenicos-eudaemons

03/06/2026

Next Tuesday night at NIMA: Imaginary Numbers.
Drummer and band leader Andy Gander brings together Sydney’s finest for a night of high energy original electric jazz, odd meter grooves and polyrhythmic improvisational funk.

Andy Gander is a Sydney drummer with decades of experience across many creative genres in the local and international music world – he leads Imaginary Numbers, an original electric jazz group featuring three of Australia’s leading edge improvisors.

Guitarist Peter Koopman draws on a wide range of influences from Oceania and beyond and has developed a unique voice as a musician and an improviser, characterised by a playful melodic sense, and rhythmic interplay using a variety of textures, sounds and colours.

Bassist Nick Jansen’s deep sound and versatile approach has made him a highly sought after collaborator with Sean Wayland, Mike Nock, Matt McMahon and many others on the contemporary Australian jazz scene.

Keyboardist Matthew Thomson is an ARIA-nominated pianist, composer, and educatorand winner of the prestigious National Jazz Awards in 2021, affirming his place as one of Australia’s leading jazz pianists. The band plays a variety of original compositions.

Book online via the NIMA link or pay at the door. Limited seats so please get in early. Show starts at 8pm.

Peter Koopman – Guitar
Matt Thomson – Keys
Nick Jansen – Bass
Andy Gander – Drums

Tickets: https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/imaginary-numbers

29/05/2026

Steve chats to incredible guitarist Ben Hauptmann ahead of his upcoming gigs at NIMA this month....

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6RMV8PsEsRXJcjLF1sEuI0?si=9sqAJgPPQd-3901PWcpjVA

The Nightfly with Steve Gaul · Episode

29/05/2026

Tuesday Night Jazz at NIMA: The Steve Hunter Band, 2nd June 2026.

Virtuoso bassist, prolific composer, and band leader Steve Hunter formed his first band at age 18 in 1978 and has had a band ever since.
He has released ten albums of his original music, in addition to playing on and contributing compositions to albums by many other artists and bands.
Steve has played with international artists Billy Cobham, Chick Corea, Mark Isham, and Bobby Previte and Australian artists Mark Simmond’s Freeboppers, Dale Barlow, Joseph Tawadros Trio, James Muller, Bandaluzia, Tree and The Translators among many others.

Steve’s current trio with Matt McMahon (piano/keyboards) and Gordon Rytmeister (drums) has been together and playing regularly for seven years now, primarily playing his original compositions along with a few tunes by others such as Chick Corea and Miles Davis.While Steve’s music sits under the jazz umbrella, his music also draws on elements from Spain, Africa, Latin America and Funk.

Steve Hunter – Electric Bass
Ben Hauptmann – Guitar
Matt McMahon – Keys
Gordon Rytmeister – Drums

29/05/2026

Happening in Sydney this Sunday May 31st
Sydney Con Jazz Festival
140+ artists
26 concerts
6 concert venues in one world class location
1 incredible day of musical inspiration, innovation & improvisation

A boutique jazz festival presenting 140+ artists in 26 concerts across 6 concert halls in a single world classlocation

25/05/2026

New woodwind and brass repairer in Mayfield!! Alex Bell studied instrument repairs at Minnesota State College USA in 2023 and has been working at Sydney Band Instruments since his return to Australia in 2024. Alex has recently opened his own workshop in Mayfield NSW .
https://www.instagram.com/bells_instruments/

22/05/2026

Next Tuesday night at NIMA: Half Nelson are a dynamic six-piece jazz band with a repertoire that’s always evolving — so expect the unexpected. With two captivating vocalists and a lineup of sensational soloists, they deliver a rich tapestry of sound that spans the eras, from the birth of jazz to romantic standards, with a splash of mainstream flair and storytelling lyrics along the way.

Stylish, spirited and effortlessly versatile, Half Nelson blend traditional and mainstream jazz with sophistication and verve. For 18 years they’ve been lighting up the local scene with their signature sound.

Sheridan Nelson-Vocals
Jason Nelson – Trombone & Vocals
Mat Woodcock – Trumpet
Carter Smyth – Piano
Marcus Holdsworth – Double
Tim Evans- Drums

19/05/2026

2026 JACOB NEALE JAZZ AWARDS - SAXOPHONE
Entries have officially opened for the 2026 Jacob Neale Jazz Awards! An annual event to honour Jacob and provide a platform for new and emerging musicians.

This year’s awards will feature the saxophone and prizes are:
🎷1st Prize $5000
🎷2nd Prize $2000
🎷3rd Prize $500

Entries close at 11:59pm Sunday 21st June 2026.

Learn about entry requirements and apply here: https://jacob-neale-jazz-awards-entry.eventbrite.com.au

19/05/2026

Happy Volunteer Week to all NIMA volunteers past and present! Without you NIMA wouldn't be here today. Thank you! 🤩🎹🥁