Live jazz, fine weather, snacks and drinkies – just another evening in Sydney. Last night we went to Jazz in the Park, held annually by Sydney’s Historic Houses Trust in historic Vaucluse House. We sat on the grass, nibbled, drank coffee and listened to three bands, each taking us to a different corner of the jazz universe.
As usual at outdoor events in Sydney, the place was packed – we were lucky to find a spot for our Winnie-the-Pooh picnic rug. (sadly, our Keroppi rug is packed away at the moment.) It was a pleasant afternoon as we arrived, and The Dan Barnett Big Band had already started: they were the first of three extravaganly named acts. After their set, Bridie and The Boogie Kings continued, and as the sun started to disappear, Armondo Hurley and The Funk-O-Matics came on. They lifted the tempo a bit and got dangerously funky – there was a lot of dancing going on by this stage.
We left just as they were winding up: we wanted to beat the carpark rush. Pausing only to enter the draw for free Champagne at the door, we headed into the long night to sip cocktails somewhere.