New Sydney Jazz Room To Program From July

Sydney has landed itself a new jazz club by the name of Foundry616, which plans to kick off a music program from July.

Located in Ultimo the bar will look to blend the European and American feel of clubs in Australia and is the brainchild of Peter Rechniewski, who was a founde of up until recently the Artistic Director of the Sydney Improvised Music Foundation (SIMA).

“I want this venue to make a difference to the way jazz develops in Sydney and nationally,” he said. “Foundry616 will present leading artists from across Australia, work with musicians and organisations to create new projects and groups, as well as featuring an exciting international programme – and we'll take risks to do that.

“I want to programme a little differently, reserving a few nights for limited 'seasons' for a certain number of groups. This will lift the standard so the audience hears bands at their optimum. There are a few more innovations I want to keep under wraps at this stage but taken altogether, they signal a different approach and one that I hope will capture the imagination of the audience.”

Meanwhile boutique Wollongong venue Yours & Owls has indicated it will “refocus on visual arts” with the aim to reinvigorate “the gallery as a unique contemporary space within the Wollongong culturescape.”

The venue has become a regular stop for touring bands and one-off events and currently has gigs booked from Sierra, Sheppard, Fait Accompli, Royal Chant and Tigertown.