When you think jazz, you probably think of cities like New York, Chicago and New Orleans.
But Brisbane is the place to be at the moment to get your fill of everything jazz – from swinging, big-band beats to smooth and soulful bluenote. “I think on the whole that the Brisbane scene is at a good time at the moment, there’s a lot of really exciting stuff happening and venues opening,” says Dan Hirsch, local jazz musician and teacher.
“It’s not only that there are more bars and venues where you can go buy a drink a relax with friends and family, there’s also more dedicated venues that are popping up and that’s really important I think for the culture of Brisbane and the culture of Queensland in general … it’s a really good time to be a jazz musician in Brisbane.”
Dan should know, as an accomplished drummer who has played in multiple local jazz acts over the past few years, most recently teaming up with friends, and fellow alumni of the Queensland Conservatorium, Euan Cumming and Helen Svoboda as The Schumachers. “We’re very influenced by the legends of this music: Oscar Peterson and the Ray Brown Trio and then some more modern guys like the Christian McBride Trio and the Jeff Hamilton Trio who learnt much more directly as well from those masters of the music.”
Drumming alongside Euan on the piano and Helen on the double bass, Dan has established The Schumachers as a traditional jazz trio and even attained a reasonably permanent gig at The Cobbler Whisky Bar in West End. “The Cobbler thing has been going for just over a year now which I’m really proud of and pleased with; it’s hard to get a residency settled and I think it’s a sign of Brisbane embracing music culture a little bit more.”
Although the jazz scene in Brisbane is flowering and there are more increased opportunities for jazz musicians, it’s still a difficult undertaking; as a teacher and graduate of the Con, Dan believes the best way into the industry is through established institutions. “I went through the Conservatorium here in Queensland, as well as Euan and Helen; in terms of entering into the scene, I think going through an institution is a great way to meet people and it’s an easier way I suppose, a front door almost into the scene because you’re working with very established musicians already as your teachers and your tutors, who introduce you to other people in the scene.
“To be honest, the other way for me anyway is through the Brisbane Jazz Club and through really supportive people there who are really passionate about emerging artists and younger musicians.”
The Schumachers will be performing at the Brisbane Jazz Club later this month as part of the club’s Sunday brunch and show series. “I’ve actually been to a few and it’s a really relaxing way to start the day,” Dan says. “It’s such a wonderful venue, it’s a nice time of day, there’s some nice food put on and the music is nice and relaxing, at least that’s what we’re going for, nothing too in-your-face.”
Playing both originals and covers of standards that pay respect to the legends of jazz, Dan assures everyone the band won’t be busting out any 20 minute free-form jazz odysseys, a-la Spinal Tap. “Nothing too inaccessible or unpleasant to the ear,” he says with a laugh, “at least I hope – that’s the plan.”
Dan has had a long-standing relationship with the Brisbane Jazz Club and is now working with them in an educational capacity, relaunching a defunct program that provides pathways for high school students into the jazz scene. “I’m now relaunching a program called Talkin’ Jazz through the Brisbane Jazz Club which is a program dedicated for high school musicians grades 9-12,” he explains.
“It’s a performance-based program for them because in my experience as a student and my experiences of talking to other young, high school musicians is they want a space and time to learn more about this music then what they’re doing at school or what they’re able to do at school.”
The Schumachers play the Brisbane Jazz Club for brunch 28 June from 10am.
