While serving in the RAAF in 1944, musician Abe Monsbourgh wrote to his friend C. Ian Turner with an idea about running a “jazz convention” once the war had ended. The first event was held in 1946, attended by local and interstate artists.
This year the Australian Jazz Convention celebrates its 70th year, making it the longest running annual jazz event in the world. Organised on a notforprofit basis and featuring musicians of all skill levels, the convention is held in a different town every year. For this special celebration, Ballarat has the honours. The event kicks off December 26 and concludes on New Year’s Eve. Further information is available through 2015jazzconvention.org.au.
Image: Paul Livingston