John Stuart & Jess Ciampa: Chasin' The Bird

'Music in the Mountains' & 'Pigeon Lane @ Gallery ONE88' have teamed up to bring you the Blue Mountain's newest monthly jazz series - 'Chasin' the bird'. It's home, Pigeon Lane, is one of Katoomba's best-kept secrets - it's not big, and you wouldn't know where it was unless someone pointed it out to you, however, it's got all the makings of a New York basement jazz club. The vibe is cool, it's intimate (you won't quite be knocking elbows . . . but it will be close) and you will be there to be absorbed by the music. Soak in the magic on the last Thursday of the month at Katoomba's very own 'Birdland'.

For this performance, Mountains 7-string guitar legend, John Stuart, has invited multi-instrumentalist, Jess Ciampa, up to the Mountains for an intimate improv session.

Date: Thursday, April 30th, 2020
Location: Pigeon Lane @ Gallery ONE88 (186-188 Katoomba St)

Doors Open: 6:00 pm
First Set: 6:30-7:15 pm
Intermission & Dinner Break: 7:15-8:00pm
Second Set: 8:00-8:45 pm

Tickets: $15
Book online or call Chris on 0411 954 826

Jess Ciampa:
Jess Ciampa began his musical life as a trumpeter, changing to percussion halfway through a Bachelor of Music Education degree at the NSW Conservatorium in 1984.
He is a multi-instrumentalist, at home in a variety of styles of music, ranging from orchestral through to jazz, Latin and commercial. He has performed with all the major Sydney orchestras, as well as ensembles such as Synergy Percussion and touring with the Sydney Dance Company. He was the principal percussionist for both Sydney seasons of The Lion King. For many years he was a member of the triple Aria award-winning group Monsieur Camembert and plays regularly with world music group Marsala, as well as with singer Jeff Duff. For several years Jess toured extensively in Europe with The Spaghetti Western Orchestra. A Melbourne quintet who performed theatrical interpretations of the music of Morricone. Highlights include return seasons at The Queen Elizabeth Hall in London and a performance as part of the 2011 Proms in The Royal Albert Hall.

For the past 31 years, Jess has performed with several groups as part of the Musica Viva in Schools program.

John Stuart:
John Stuart is a master of the seven­ string guitar. This amazing instrument allows John to cover the bass as well as provide the chordal accompaniment to the Bandit’s wide­ ranging repertoire. John is all about texture and space, switching between driving bass lines, and sparkling single line accompaniments. Bass solos? No extra charge.

What else do I need to know . . .

How do I find Pigeon Lane?:
You don't enter through Gallery ONE88 - every good journey starts with the unexpected. Take a stroll down Beverly Place in Katoomba, a.k.a. Art Street, and whilst you're enjoying the everchanging street art, you will find the entrance behind Gallery ONE88.

Will there be food & drinks available?:
There is a full cafe just upstairs in Gallery ONE88, so dinner, coffee, cake & soft drinks will be available on the night. When you arrive, head upstairs to the cafe and put in an order for dinner, and your meal will be ready and waiting for you during the intermission. There will also be an opportunity for coffee and cake after the show.

What about a bar?:
Pigeon Lane does not yet have a liquor license, so alcohol is BYO. There is glassware however so no need to bring wine glasses with you.