Join us for a very special evening featuring two international legends of jazz, Vincent Gardner and Jerome Jennings, performing with members of JMI’s esteemed faculty. Touring Australia as part of the Essentially Ellington Down Under program, these two jazz titans will deliver a night to be remembered!
About Vincent Gardner
Vincent Gardner was born in Chicago and raised in Hampton, Virginia. He attended Florida A&M University and the University of North Florida, soon connecting with Mercer Ellington, who hired Gardner for his first professional job. After moving to Brooklyn, he completed a world tour with Lauryn Hill, then joined the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Gardner has served as instructor at The Juilliard School, visiting instructor at Florida State University and Michigan State University, and adjunct instructor at The New School.
He serves as Director of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra, and an instructor at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Swing University. In 2009, Gardner was commissioned by Jazz at Lincoln Center to write The Jesse B. Semple Suite inspired by the short stories of Langston Hughes. Featured on a number of notable recordings, Gardner has recorded five leader CDs for Steeplechase Records.
He earned first place as Rising Star Trombonist in the 2014 DownBeat Critics Poll, and has performed with The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Bobby McFerrin, Harry Connick, Jr., The Saturday Night Live Band, Chaka Khan, A Tribe Called Quest, and many others.
About Jerome Jennings
Jerome Jennings is a drummer, activist, bandleader, sideman, and Emmy Award winning composer. His debut recording ‘The Beast’ is a reflection of the every day joys and traumas of black life in the U.S. It was named one of the top three jazz releases by NPR, received a four star rating in Downbeat Magazine, and was nominated for the prestigious French ‘Grand Prix du Disque’ award for Album of the Year in 2016. Jerome’s sophomore recording, ‘Solidarity’, released November 2019 was recognized by NPR as best music that spoke truth to power of 2019. Currently, he performs and tours with his musical group, Jerome Jennings & iLL Philosophy.
To date, Jerome has performed, toured and recorded with legendary musicians like Sonny Rollins, Hank Jones, Gerald Wilson, Christian McBride, Ron Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Wynton Marsalis (J@LC), The Count Basie Orchestra, Philip Bailey, Henry Butler, and countless others. He has been a member of piano master, George Cables’ trio since 2021.
FEATURING
Vincent Gardner – trombone
Jerome Jennings – drums
Ben Hauptmann – guitar
Joe Machen – piano
Nick Quigley – bass
PLUS some special guests….
Gig Details:
Thursday 14th August 2025
10 Exhibition St, Bowen Hills
Doors from 7:30PM
Music starts on the downbeat of 8PM
$40 ENTRY +BF & GST
Head to our Humanitix to purchase limited seated tickets
How do I purchase a ticket?
Tickets are being sold through Humanitix. Purchase limited seated tickets here. Due to JMI Live being an intimate space, we have a maximum number of guests allowed in the venue. We highly recommend it is best to get in early before tickets sell out.
What is JMI Live?
JMI Live presents live jazz in Brisbane every Thursday night from 8pm and a jam session after each gig. JMI Live is renowned for its intimate setting, providing the best opportunity to listen to live jazz in Brisbane. Just like a jazz club in New York, this venue is the ideal location for great jazz music, acoustics and atmosphere.
Location
JMI Live is located at 10 Exhibition Street, Bowen Hills.
Ticket Refund Policy
If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and are unable to attend after having purchased a ticket, please contact the JMI office (07 3216 1110 or email play@jazz.qld.edu.au) as soon as possible during business hours (10AM-4PM) to let us know you won’t be able to attend. A full refund will be given if we are contacted prior to a performance. Refunds will not be processed if we are contacted after the gig.