On Saturday, 18th December the Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA) presented the last performance for 2004 in SIMA’s final programme at the Side-On Cafe.
In 2005 SIMA will be domiciled in a new venue and with its programme due to kick off in March. Since March 1999, when the Side On-Cafe opened as primarily a contemporary jazz venue, SIMA has made the place synonymous with creative contemporary jazz.
During those six years the Side-On has been the Sydney stage for most of Australia’s leading modern jazz musicians and modern bands such as Bernie McGann, Mike Nock, Ten Part Invention, Wanderlust, Sandy Evans, Dale Barlow, James Muller, Phil Slater, Andrew Robson, Steve Hunter, Mark Isaacs, Matt McMahon, Simon Barker, among many as well as new talents like Aron Ottignon, Gerard Masters, Elana Stone, Triosk, Side Car, and Theaktet. SIMA also presented a steady stream of musicians from interstate such as those leading lights of the Melbourne jazz scene, Paul Grabowsky, Ian Chaplin, Jex Saarelaht, Andrea Keller, Adam Simmons, Sam Keevers, Fiona Burnett, Scott Tinkler, David Rex, and from Brisbane Elliott Dalgleish, Jon Diamond and Jeff Usher.
Many bands made their debut for SIMA at the Side-On and then, went on to launch their CDs there. It was a small space but the atmosphere and the energy were palpable as soon as you entered
A few months ago the opportunity arose for SIMA to base itself in a bigger space, something that SIMA had considered desirable for some time. So from March 2005 SIMA will be at the Seymour Centre, in a space about to undergo refurbishment.
Side On will continue presenting music and we wish them well.