Dale Barlow Quintet & SIMA Xmas party

Our final gig for the year features the Dale Barlow Quintet with Bernie McGann and Bobby Gebert and a great young local rhythm section… In the year in which McGann turned 70, we consider it is a most fitting way to end our third season at the Sound Lounge. Come along and celebrate a fantastic year at SIMA with some of Sydney’s best known and loved voices in jazz.

Bernie’s established quartet, with John Pochee, Warwick Alder and Lloyd Swanton and special guest Roger Manins, kicked off SIMA’s 2007 season. Bernie and Dale have both continued to perform regularly throughout the year with various artists, from established artists like Paul Grabowsky to newcomers on the scene.

In honour of Bernie McGann’s 70th birthday in June, SIMA commissioned Chicago-based distinguished American jazz critic John Litweiler to survey the celebrated saxophonist’s recorded output, with Litweiler concluding that McGann is one of the great saxophone players in jazz today. In October the Melbourne Jazz Co-operative (MJC), celebrated Bernie’s contribution to Australian jazz by featuring him over three nights with different Melbourne musicians with whom he had performed on his many visits there.

Needing no introduction is Dale Barlow, Sydney’s other formidable saxophonist! We are thrilled to have Dale and Bernie headlining together tonight. As 2007 comes to an end we wish Bernie many more years of brilliant playing and we look forward to the release of recordings by this great band.