The fun always flows in Brisbane’s iconic riverside venue for big band music
Who knew a small gathering of jazz musicians in the late 1960s would evolve into Brisbane’s premier jazz venue? With its vintage red-and-black velvet interiors, the Brisbane Jazz Club evokes the golden age of jazz, when Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington were all the rage.
The venue may seat just 100, but it has’s already earned an international reputation for its role in churning out quality jazz and making it accessible to everyone. American jazz icon Herbie Hancock recently gave a glowing endorsement of the club’s International Jazz Day Festival.
The BJC (as it’s called by locals) boasts a resident 18-person big band, and it’s where Australian jazz legends like John Morrison and Jackie Cooper regularly perform. What makes it even more special is its location inside an 80-year-old building on the banks of the Brisbane River.
“You can literally enjoy afternoon drinks on the back deck with stunning city views,” says Mandy Woodend, who regularly performs at the club with her act, Miss Mandy Swings. “It’s easily accessible by water on our City Cats [ferries].”
The club features live jazz music five nights a week and is run by volunteer jazz lovers, adding to its intimate vibe. The best part? “The audiences are my favourite,” says Mandy. “They’re so appreciative of fine musicianship and great entertainment.”
Until November 2025, they’re hosting the Brisbane Big Band Festival, featuring the best big band jazz with 20 bands and 350 musicians over four nights. Check the official site for dates and showtimes. brisbanejazzclub.com.au
