It was never imagined back in the early 80s that local jazz trombonist Paul Ingle, then playing at the Central Hotel in Beaconsfield would be in demand to now perform at jazz festivals internationally.
It was at a regular Thursday night jazz session that Mr Ingle entered the jazz world with the Central Jazz Band consisting of local jazz musicians, including the legendary pianist and local identity Peter Kellas.
This resulted in Mr Ingle leading and playing in various Melbourne jazz bands, including the New Melbourne Jazz Band, Lightning Jazz and the New Orleans Swamp Dogs.
Whist performing last year at the renowned Pismo Beach Jubilee by the Sea Jazz Festival in California his fantastic reviews led to an invitation to form and lead an all-star Aussie band at the festival later this year.
He has taken on this challenge and successfully formed his new band the Australian Jazz Connection attracting the ‘best of the best’ ex-Aussie jazz musicians from their North American gigs to showcase their jazz talents with him at this year’s festival.
“I am ecstatic, with this wonderful opportunity in performing and promoting Australian jazz internationally,” Mr Ingle said.
“As a proud and long-term resident of Berwick, I can’t believe that all this started with the Central Jazz Band performing at the Central Hotel, Beaconsfield with a great bunch of local jazz musicians. “Maybe we should try and get jazz back in Berwick on a regular basis.”
