JMI Jazz Clinics

ABOUT THE JAZZ CLINICS

Ideal for anyone looking to either start learning how to play jazz, or build upon the knowledge they already have, these clinics are delivered in a fun and relaxed environment conducive to learning and growth.  These are perfect for musicians of all ages and abilities, from young musicians looking for extra musical development, to mature age musicians looking to spark their passion for jazz.

To register for the clinics, complete the online registration form.

Clinic dates:

SPRING 2026 (3 days)
25 to 27 September 2026

SUMMER 2027 (4 days)

18th to 21st January 2027

Key areas of focus

The clinics will focus on the following three areas that are central to jazz combo playing:

• Theory and Harmony
• Small Ensemble Performance
• Improvisation Techniques

There will also be sessions in the clinics for instrument-specific masterclasses to work on developing technique specific to your instrument.

The final day of the clinic will include a performance at Jazz Music Institute’s very own live jazz venue JMI LIVE, and family and friends are invited to attend. The Jazz Clinic will be delivered by our experienced jazz faculty staff.

Location:

Jazz Music Institute
47 Brookes Street, Bowen Hills, QLD 4006.

Faculty

Tom Kakanis

Tom Kakanis is a Brisbane-based jazz guitarist, songwriter, and guitar teacher.  With a passion for a wide variety of genres, Tom is dedicated to helping his students understand the complexities of the guitar and music theory to improve their ability to improvise, write songs, and express themselves freely. He offers tailored teaching to meet each student’s individual needs and is committed to helping them achieve their musical goals through patient guidance.

Tom’s teaching style focus’s on exploring theory, the fretboard, harmony, expression, and improvisation techniques, as well as techniques for improving as a songwriter and composer.

Availability: Mondays after 5:30pm; Thursdays after 5:30pm

Joe Machen

Since completing his Bachelor of Jazz Piano at the Queensland Conservatorium in 2022, Joe has been busy gathering as many musical secrets as possible- whether through his studies with NYC jazz masters, transcribed wisdom from the greats, or sheer time on the bandstand. Joe has a deep love for all things jazz, and is eager to share the tips he wishes he’d known when starting out. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned jazz player, Joe teaches in an individually-tailored manner to help you best achieve your musical goals.

Sharon Nobs

Sharon Nobs is a trumpet player born and raised in Sydney who discovered her love for music at a young age. She started her journey at 6 years old and was introduced to jazz when she was 10 through school big band. After graduating high school she immediately moved to Brisbane to study at the Jazz Music Institute where she grew her skills in performance and learnt a deeper and richer understanding of jazz and music as a whole.

Throughout her journey during and post graduation she has found joy in teaching students with the goal of helping other people find their passion in music. She understands that not everyone is the same and adjusts lessons to best suit the style and level of her students by making the lessons fun and achievable but still with a challenge and gradual progression.

Lily Daoud

Lily Daoud is a Brisbane-based artist and contemporary jazz vocalist whose holistic approach to voice teaching integrates physiology, technique, stagecraft, and emotional connection. Rooted in both technical precision and expressive freedom, her teaching supports students in developing presence and cultivating their own unique artistic identity.

Her tertiary studies include a BFA (Drama) from QUT, a Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance), a Graduate Certificate in Music from UQ, and a Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy (currently in progress).

An active performer across Brisbane’s arts scene, Lily brings a depth of lived experience to her work—from intimate jazz duo settings to theatrical productions. Her interdisciplinary practice recognises the voice as both instrument and an extension of self, and she draws from a rich artistic palette to support singers at every stage of their journey.

Lachlan Alexander

BMus(JP), MMus

Lachlan Alexander is a Brisbane-based clarinet/saxophone player that began his studies at the Jazz Music Institute in 2018. After graduating with a bachelor of jazz performance on the tenor saxophone, he continued his studies at the Griffith Conservatorium receiving his Masters of Music in 2022. Lachlan plays clarinet in the manouche group Echoes of Cirque, releasing their album “Fig. 1” in November 2025.

Clinic Structure

SPRING 2026

SUMMER 2027

Abilities & Ages

All abilities and ages are encouraged to register for the Jazz Clinics. On the first day the faculty will split attendees into small groups of similar abilities and/or ages to ensure everyone can get the most out of the clinics.

Clinic Fees

SPRING 2026 FEES (3 DAY CLINIC):
$462 incl GST

SUMMER 2027 FEES (4 DAY CLINIC): $616 incl GST

History of the Summer Jazz Clinics

The Summer Jazz Clinics were started by JMI’s founder and owner, Greg Quigley, who was an aspiring trumpeter intent on learning how to play jazz.  In 1976, the Henry Mancini Orchestra toured Australia, led by the famous American jazz trumpeter Don Rader. Greg invited Don to join him in Sydney for a series of workshops that he was planning to organise.  Much to Greg’s surprise, Don accepted the offer and the clinics were a great success. This was the beginning of a long journey in producing jazz education programs throughout Australia.

Following the success of the workshops with Don Rader, Greg travelled to the United States to get right to the source of the music.  During this trip, Greg came into contact with Jamey Aebersold, a saxophonist who had developed a series of play-a-longs and was at the forefront of jazz education.

Upon returning to Australia, Greg decided he wanted to bring Jamey out to Australia to run a series of workshops in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide around Easter 1978.  The workshops were hugely successful and the idea of the “Summer Jazz Clinics” was born.

In 1979, Jamey returned with 13 other jazz musicians to run summer jazz clinics and perform concerts across Australia.  Greg continued to produce these clinics with some of the greatest jazz musicians of all time over a four-year period.  Musicians to travel to Australia as part of these clinics included Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Joe Henderson, John Scofield, Randy Brecker, Mulgrew Miller, Steve Turre, Rufus Reid, Bobby Shew, Dave Liebman, Terumasa Hino, David Baker and many more.

These clinics changed the landscape of the Australian jazz scene and had a significant impact on many young Australian jazz musicians at the time, such as Vince Jones, Sandy Evans, Craig Scott, Dale Barlow and Dave Panichi to name a few.