The Sherlock Albazi Quartet - Swinging Standards Reimagined
About
Swinging Standards ReimaginedThe Ruby jazz Club and Brisbane International Jazz festival presents to you The Sherlock Albazi Quartet featuring Bruce Woodward with "Swinging Standards Reimagined".
On tour from Victoria, this is a jazz concert not to be missed! The quartet, featuring Brisbane’s own Bruce Woodward, will take you on a fresh and imaginative journey through much-loved jazz standards. Expect swinging classics transformed with inventive arrangements, vibrant energy and unexpected twists, featuring both captivating vocal numbers and dynamic instrumental performances. A joyful, exhilarating night of jazz awaits!
James Sherlock and Lillian Albazi are Naarm-based improvisers with distinguished careers spanning jazz, classical, and experimental music.
James Sherlock, a celebrated guitarist and winner of the 1997 Ike Isaacs International Jazz Guitar Award, has performed extensively at venues such as the Montreux Jazz Festival and collaborated with international icons including Sheila Jordan (USA), Cyrille Aimée (FRA), Jeff “Tain” Watts (USA), John Riley (USA), Leroy Jones (USA), Martin Taylor (UK), Paul Grabowsky (AUS), Megan Washington (AUS), Joe Camilleri (AUS), film composer Howard Shore (USA), and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. With six albums as a bandleader and recent recognition for his feature on François Tétaz’s 2025 film score for The Surfer, Sherlock continues to affirm his place among modern jazz’s most versatile guitarists.
Lillian Albazi, an internationally acclaimed Assyrian-Australian vocalist and composer, has emerged as one of Australia's most versatile and compelling contemporary artists, forging a career that moves fearlessly between jazz, experimental music, alternative and noise. Albazi first gained national attention after being invited to perform at the 2016 Melbourne International Jazz Festival, under the artistic curation of Michael Tortoni and Melanie Pose. This was her first live show and the beginning of her jazz career. She went on to gain critical acclaim for her 2021 debut album After-Image. Her boundary-pushing work across projects like Bright Phantoms (with bassist Oscar Neyland) and USA-based noise collective Objects Without Pain has earned international radio rotation and praise from international music publications including Stereogum, Australian Arts Review, Rhythms Magazine and Brooklyn Vegan. With regular touring across Australia, New Zealand and Europe, Albazi’s fearless artistry bridges jazz, art music and alternative genres – anchored by a voice described as both captivating and emotionally charged.
Though the Sherlock Albazi collaboration is a relatively new project, the pair have already toured extensively, performing at the National Trust of Tasmania's Home Hill, Devonport Jazz Festival, Jazz Music Institute, 03 Sessions, NIMA, The Citadel and The Granity Theatre in Aotearoa, as well as at leading jazz venues across Australia alongside their mainstays Ben Hanlon (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) and Holly Moore (Namboku Records/Australian Art Orchestra).
Joining them to celebrate this showcase at Brisbane International Jazz Festival will be special guest Bruce Woodward. Woodward is a jazz guitarist based in Meanjin, Australia. A graduate of the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts and the Queensland Conservatorium, he has worked internationally as a guitarist, arranger and musical director. In addition to maintaining a busy performance schedule, Bruce has worked as an educator at Brisbane’s Jazz Music Institute and as a Lecturer in Music at The University of Southern Queensland, Australia.
Band
Lillian Albazi - vocals
James Sherlock - guitar
Bruce Woodward - guitar
Theirry Fossemalle - double bass
Dave Sanders - drums
General Info:
Step inside from 6:30 pm. The music begins at 7:30 pm. Venue closes at 11.30pm.
Seating is unreserved and claimed by those who arrive first. The early ones always find the best vantage point.
Food and small plates will be available throughout the evening, and the bar will be flowing with local and international wines, classic cocktails, fine spirits, and a deep collection of bourbons worthy of New Orleans itself.
To find us, follow Mead Lane to its very end. Turn left. Look for the red door. We’re the fourth premise on the right.
No number. No signs. No announcements.
Just a hidden jazz club… and those who know, know.
Tickets $30
Date
Friday 23 October 2026 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM (UTC+10)Location
The Ruby Jazz Club
Mead Lane, Turn left down the easement at the end , Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Contact Form
The Sherlock Albazi Quartet - Swinging Standards Reimagined
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