News

A message from the president

I am excited and humble to have been elected as the President of the Club at the Annual General Meeting in September. My involvement with the club was triggered by the wish to be part of the volunteer family that has delivered live jazz for more than half a century.  

I consider myself fortunate to be the President at this time as the club is in a great place when considering the flood resilience of our former boat shed, the commitment of both paid staff and volunteers, and financially. I wish to thank David Herbert for his strong leadership as former President which built on the shoulders of former Presidents and led to this current status.  

The last 12 months has seen most of our shows booked out – this is wonderful. Your support as a member and patron is the essence of this success. 

Our business model, which so strongly relies on volunteers, is also a major factor in this success. Also, the commitment and skills of the individuals on the Management Committee and the professional approach by all our staff whether contractual, salaried or voluntary has played an important role.  

However, the members of the Management Committee are aware of how quickly things can change and so will continue to focus on the wellbeing of our club.   

A review of the Strategic Plan 20023-25 is one task for 2026. The current plan has served as an excellent stimulus and guide for improvements for our club.  

In early 2026, we plan to undertake essential building work. The windows looking out on the river need replacing so we are lifting the roof and extending the band area out approximately I meter. An inside ‘green room’ and larger office space for our admin staff is also part of this exciting project. It is likely that the Club will be closed for 8 weeks from 9th March for these works. 

The club is committed to upgrading our website and the separate ticket management system. This will be a challenge to ensure a seamless process. 

I look forward to you sharing our future shows with us. 

Helen Abrahams 

Vale Lynette Irwin

In the close-knit jazz community, we rely on the skill and experience of a relatively small number of people who are so dedicated to our kind of music that they are always the go-to advisers, movers and shakers of events, always ready to help in progressing anything to do with jazz.

Lynette Irwin was one such lady, well-known and respected for her involvement in jazz and the role of women in entertainment. Now sadly lost to us she leaves a legacy of unselfish devotion to the jazz world.

As her daughter Tess writes – “..…everything she did was with passion and determination. She was a wife, a nanna, Queensland’s jazz matriarch, Director of the Brisbane International Jazz Festival, fierce advocate of women and friend to many”.

Many jazz musicians have benefitted from Lynette’s promotion and management skills – organising gigs, tours and recordings for Australian and International artists.

I knew Lynette best in some of the 30 years of her time as President of Jazz Queensland and the close connection she had with us at Brisbane Jazz Club in planning the many performances of the festivals. Her leadership of this organisation also helped to develop the expertise of many well-known Brisbane jazz musicians and encouraged the younger generation to get into jazz.

On behalf of Brisbane Jazz Club, I offer the sincerest condolences to her family, and all jazz-lovers who knew her, on the loss of this special lady who forged her way into the history of jazz in Australia.

Alan Western

Vice President – Brisbane Jazz Club

11 March 2023