Melbourne's Jazz Scene To Be Boosted With Brand New Live Music Venue

The jazz corner of the world is now being extended to Melbourne with the announcement of a brand new live music venue, Bird's Basement, to open this March. 

The purpose-built performance club based in the heart of the CBD will host two concerts per night (6pm and 9.30pm) and serve a selection of Italian dishes and wines for patrons. 

Speaking to theMusic, the venue's owner and former chairman and director of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival Albert Dadon says he was inspired by the idea during his tenure as director of the popular festival between 2001-2009. 

"At the time I found that I was having great difficulty in getting venues that could serve a great meal in an intimate setting with a great act," Dadon explains.

"Melbourne in the ‘80s had such festivities…where they were having great jazz, great food and people loved it. I think doing what we’re doing with the quality that we’re bringing is going to add something to the cultural life of Melbourne."

A stellar line-up has already been announced for the opening on 1 March, with US musicians Ravi Coltrane and Lee Ritenour scheduled to perform.

Meanwhile a number of local talent have also been confirmed to play at the venue during the opening month including Brian Mannix, Wendy Matthews, Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows, Albare, Joe Chindamo, Phil Turcio and Mike Nock. 

Bird's Basement aims to provide customers with a high quality music experience and authentic Italian dining and Dadon says he wouldn't have gone through with the concept anywhere else except for Melbourne. 

"Melbourne is such a vibrant city now and I'm very confident that this is going to be good for [the city]."

Check out the Bird's Basement website for more details.