Dingo’s International Jazz Day celebrations return this year as Jazz in the Hall with another jam-packed day of Australian jazz artists. With an extra special guest artist – Pang SaxPackGirl on tour from Thailand.
International Jazz Day – chaired and led by UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay and legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock – is declared to be “the world’s largest celebration of jazz as a force for peace, intercultural dialogue and international cooperation.”
As noted by Hancock during 2023’s showcase event, “Respect for human dignity is firmly integrated into the DNA of jazz. International Jazz Day honors this important value by embracing the peace and freedom that jazz so eloquently proclaims. And that is the spirit of jazz – finding delight in diversity and creating harmony out of our differences.”
It is with this spirit that Dingo’s Jazz in the Hall celebrates the richness and diversity across different aspects of the Australian jazz community.
Jazz in the Hall will celebrate the richness and diversity across different aspects of the Australian jazz community. Building on this annual event, the Fringe Common Rooms at Trades Hall will come alive with Melbourne’s finest emerging and established jazz artists in a relaxed family friendly setting.
Plus we’ll have CD’s, print music, books and other merch. Bring a meal, have a drink and enjoy Australian jazz artists.
JAZZ IN THE HALL
Fringe Common Rooms – Ballroom
Trades Hall – Corner Lygon and Victoria St, Carlton
May 4, 2025, 2–6:00pm
FEATURING
Mina Yu and Ben Charneley
ASHES
Conjuress – directed by Andrea Keller
Diamond Hands – directed by Barney McAll
Castle Wood
Melbourne Conservatorium Of Music Jazz & Improvisation Department are a key partner for the event, presenting a mixture of large and small ensembles led by staff (sessional and continuing) during the day.
Tickets available through try booking
$35/28 General Admission
$45 VIP Reserved Seating
THE ARTISTS
Mina Yu
Based in Melbourne, pianist and composer Mina Yu relocated from New York City after seven years of performing and studying in the USA. She appeared at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Columbia University, and New York Live Arts, and has toured internationally across South Korea, Australia, England, and Switzerland.
Since settling in Melbourne, Mina has performed at leading venues and festivals including Melbourne Recital Centre, Arts Centre Melbourne, NGV, Jazzlab, Paris Cat Jazz Club, and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. She also served as music director and pianist for K-pop star Tae Woo Kim’s Melbourne concert.
Active across classical, jazz, and contemporary music scenes, Mina has contributed to award-winning albums such as ZEDSIX’s The Shape of Jazz and Richard Pavlidis’ Without Within. Mina teaches at Melbourne University (VCA) and Monash College, and is an AMEB examiner. She was also an artist-in-residence for Berklee’s Inspire program and holds music degrees from Berklee College of Music and Manhattan School of Music.
Ben Charnley
Equally at home in a late night jazz club session or on a festival stage, Ben Charnley is a highly active and versatile session drummer. His playing is strongly influenced by 1950s and ‘60s jazz masters Philly Joe Jones, Tony Williams and Elvin Jones, as well as groove icons such as Jeff Porcaro, Tony Allen, Bernard Purdie and Questlove.
Prior to living in Melbourne, Ben spent seven years in the USA, completing a Bachelor of Music at the renowned Berklee College of Music, Boston MA, where he studied with Grammy winning artist Terri Lyne Carrington (Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter). Ben then relocated to New York where he completed a Master of Music degree at New York University, studying with jazz greats Kenny Werner and Ari Hoenig.
He has performed live at venues including the Melbourne Recital Centre, Parliament House, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Forum Theatre, 170 Russell, Federation Square, NGV, the JazzLab, the Paris Cat, Uptown Jazz Cafe, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Moomba, Melbourne Comedy Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, the Adelaide Festival, the Woodford Folk Festival as well as iconic NYC venues such as the Bitter End, le Poisson Rouge, the Knitting Factory, ShapeShifter Lab, Webster Hall, Joe’s Pub, DROM and Rockwood Music Hall.
ASHES
Ashes is a dynamic band who have cultivated a distinct and analogous language over the past few years. This group brings to life sketches of music written by trumpeter and band leader Ashley Ballat, whose eclectic musical aesthetic amalgamates music from the incredible Australian Jazz scene, ECM records, American Free Jazz, Ambient, Folk and hint of Metal.
Together the band coalesce acoustic sounds with electronics to create thick soundscapes full of texture, colour, and mood. Moving between lamenting melodies, dense fiery fury and sparse, delicately restrained improvisation, this band’s energy is unique.
“Ashes is brimming with flair and conviction, the sure sound of an artist doubling-down.” – Des Cowley in Rhythms Magazine.
Ashley Ballat – Trumpet and FX
Dan Waddingham – Guitar
Peggy Lee – Cello
Maddison Carter – Drums