NIMA - Newcastle Improvised Music Association

06/03/2025

The Jacob Neale Jazz Awards are presented by Newcastle Conservatorium of Music in collaboration with the Newcastle Improvised Music Association (NIMA), Adamstown Arts and the Newcastle and Hunter Jazz Club.

This annual event is supported by a broad local music community to honour Jacob and provide a platform for new and emerging musicians.

The prizes for the 2025 Jacob Neale Jazz Awards are as follows:

1st Prize - $5000.00
2nd Prize -$2500.00

Eligibility Criteria
1. The competition is open to highly skilled pianists who are Australian citizens. The age limit is 30 inclusive (i.e. if you are 30 or younger on or before 31 December 2025, you are eligible).

2. To enter the competition, contestants must submit recordings of three contrasting pieces, one of each from the categories below (not necessarily in this order):

(a) an original piece
(b) a ballad (standard or original)
(c) a blues (standard or original)

Before applying, please review the terms and conditions of entry here.

Entries open at 9:00am Monday 31st March and close on Sunday 1st June 2025.
The finals will be held on Saturday 19th July 2025 at the Harold Lobb Concert Hall, Newcastle Conservatorium between 7pm – 10pm.

If you require further information, please contact [email protected]

01/03/2025

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/nima-newcastle/episodes/15--The-Nightfly-with-Steve-Gaul---3Degrees-March-2025-e2vhqlt

Join Steve Gaul for a chat with Amanda Yuill as they discuss the inspiration behind the musical powerhouse that is '3Degrees. Prior to the birthday bash trifecta gig coming up this month at the Underground!

20/02/2025

Tuesday 25th February at NIMA: Peter O’Mara Trio.
Australian jazz guitarist Peter O’Mara began his professional career in Sydney in 1976. Some projects were with Errol Buddle, Miro Bukowsky, Jackie Orszaczky, Michael Bartolomei & W***y Qua. He was awarded the prestigious “Don Banks Memorial Fellowship” for overseas study and was in New York in 1981 going to concerts, jam sessions and having private lessons with John Scofield, Dave Liebman & Attila Zoller.
O’Mara moved to Munich, Germany in late 1981, establishing himself as one of the most versatile guitarists in Europe. Many concerts and recordings with musicians like Dave Holland, Joe Lovano, Bob Mintzer, Benny Bailey, Johnny Griffin, Ack van Rooyen, Peter Herbolzheimer, Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, John Taylor, Randy Brecker, Charlie Mariano, Tony Lakatos, Mike Nock, Russell Ferrante, Brian Auger, Anthony Jackson, Marc Johnson, Adam Nussbaum, John Marshall, Terri Lyne Carrington, P*e Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, NDR Bigband and the United Jazz & Rock Ensemble. He was a member of renowned jazz rock group “Klaus Doldinger’s Passport“ spanning 30 years, touring Europe, Brasil, South Africa, Morocco and New Zealand.
For his 65th birthday on 09.12.2022 he presented a big band concert featuring his original compositions and arrangements at the Munich jazz club Unterfahrt. In February 2023 he was invited to perform some of his arrangements with the big band of the Sydney Conservatorium jazz institute. As a teacher he has presented workshops all over Europe, Australia, New Zealand and is the author of books published by renowned jazz publishers Advance Music.
He is a professor at the University of Music and Theatre in Munich as well as the Bruckner University in Linz, Austria. As a composer and bandleader he has recorded 20 cds to date as well as performing on dozens of recordings as a guest. For his concert in Newcastle on 25th February 2025 he will be joined by jazz legends James Shortland on double bass and Hamish Stuart on drums.

Guitarshortland.music Double Bass
Hamish Stuart Drums

06/02/2025

Join Steve Gaul for a chat with Freddy Stafford prior to his upcoming gig at The Underground - 11th Feb

Join Steve Gaul for a chat with Freddy Stafford prior to his upcoming gig at The Underground.

30/01/2025

It’s JAZZ JAM THURSDAY. This week’s host is the fabulously talented Jeremy Borthwick. Come jam with some of the best muso’s in town. The Grand Hotel Underground. 8pm to 11pm. $10 or FREE FOR JAMMERS!

26/01/2025

This Tuesday night at NIMA: The Ben Lerner Quartet.
Ben Lerner is an outstanding young artist who has quickly established himself as one of the emerging voices in Jazz and on the Alto Saxophone in Australia. Since moving to Sydney from Auckland in 2020, Ben has received the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Scholarship, the Henderson Global Mobility Scholarship, the Ernest Heine Family Foundation Scholarship, and has played with the likes of Mike Nock, Matt McMahon, Laurence Pike, Steve Barry, Jonathan Crayford, and many other greats.
Ben has honed his craft under the tutelage of artists such as George Garzone, Immanuel Wilkins, Dr Roger Manins, Will Vinson, Mike Rivett, Dr Simon Barker, Dr Jo Lawry and many more.
After forming the Ben Lerner Quartet in early 2021 as an outlet to workshop and perform his original compositions, Ben has quickly found his feet as a band leader. This has culminated in performing as a part of SIMA’s Jazz:NOW summer festival, a seven–gig tour of New Zealand, the Inner West Jazz Fest, and various appearances in venues and festivals around Sydney.
Ben performs frequently as a freelancing musician around Sydney, and is an in demand sideman.
The Ben Lerner Quartet will perform a selection of Ben’s compositions.

Ben Lerner - Alto Sax
Max Alduca - Bass
Alex Young - Drums
Steve Barry- Piano

Tickets: https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/ben-lerner-quartet

22/01/2025

Next Tuesday, 28th January at NIMA: THE OHH BEE THREE.
The Ohh Bee Three is a dynamic jazz trio comprising award-winning talents from Australia’s vibrant music scene.
Aaron “Baz” Flower, renowned for his virtuosic guitar skills and prolific compositions, brings his expertise from projects like Danaides and his critically acclaimed solo endeavor, “AKA BAZ.” Matthew Lamb, a versatile bassist with a deep-rooted musical education from Sydney Conservatorium, adds his double and electric bass prowess honed over years performing with diverse acts across several genres. Completing the trio is Toby Hall, a highly regarded drummer celebrated for his contributions to over 30 Australian CDs and collaborations with jazz luminaries like Mike Nock and Vince Jones. Toby’s international experience includes performances at prestigious festivals such as Montreal Jazz Festival and New York’s Knitting Factory.

Aaron “Baz” Flower - Guitar
Matthew Lamb - Double Bass
Toby Hall - Drum kit

Tickets: https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/ohh-bee-three

21/01/2025

It’s almost Jazz Jam Thursday again!! We’re starting 2025 in a similar fashion to the way we farewelled 2024 -HUGE!!
This week’s host & his band will be right behind anyone who’s wants to get up and jam. 8pm - 11pm. Get in early if you want a seat as the jam fills up quickly! $10 entry or FREE if you’re jamming!!

15/01/2025

NIMA is BACK & we’re opening up 2025 with local band Zenith PopFunk this Tuesday, 21st of January!
Zenith PopFunk are a fun-loving group of Newcastle musicians creating their own funk arrangements of modern pop songs. Using brass to bring fresh new groove to songs you’ll recognise as well as some sneaky originals, Zenith re-imagine pop music through the lens of funk. The Zenith collective includes talented Newcastle Conservatorium graduates and creative types who love to entertain!

Alice Palmer - Vocals
Chad Penfold - Guitar
Alex Brollo - Bass
Tyson Hilder - Dums
Oliver Doyle - Trumpet
Naomi Blanch - Saxophone

Tickets: https://www.nima.org.au/event-details/zenith-pop-funk

20/12/2024

Well that’s a wrap for 2024 folks! It’s been an amazing year of great music and fun times. Tuesday nights have continued to showcase a diverse array of phenomenal touring and local bands, and our Thursday night Jazz Jams have exploded in popularity resulting in the discovery of a whole heap of new, young talent. We’re going to take a few weeks off but will be back around mid January 2025. Keep an eye on our socials for our upcoming acts and dates.
Thanks so much to Lukas & his amazing staff at the Grand Hotel, Katie & the NIMA committee & volunteers, our talented performers and lastly to you, our audience. Please have a safe and Merry Christmas/New Year break. See you in 2025!!!

18/12/2024

It’s the last Thursday Night Jazz Jam of the year so get along & help us send off 2024 in style!
Our final hit out will be hosted by Tom Avgenicos and he’ll be joined by Daryl Aberhart, Andrew Wallace & Tyson Hilder. The fun starts at 8pm, get in early to grab a seat - first in, best dressed!! $10 or FREE FOR JAMMERS!