| Generations in Jazz | |
| Genre: | Jazz |
| Dates: | May |
| Location: | Mount Gambier, South Australia |
| Coordinates: | -37.8294°N 140.7828°W |
| Years Active: | 1987–present |
Generations In Jazz (often abbreviated to GIJ) is an annual weekend jazz festival held in Mount Gambier, South Australia. It is held in May and brings together many young jazz musicians from all over Australia and New Zealand.
The Generations in Jazz Festival was first held in 1987. The festival's genesis dates from 1982 when three young musicians performed a tribute for their fathers and grandfathers. Nowadays, an estimated 5,200 young people in bands from all around Australia and New Zealand make their way to Mount Gambier. Professional musicians who have taught, performed or judged at the festival include James Morrison, Daryl Somers, Ross Irwin, James Muller, Wycliffe Gordon, Graeme Lyall, Gordon Goodwin and his Big Phat Band,[1] Take 6, and Jeff Clayton.
The World's Largest Modular Tent[2] is the home of an annual event held in Mount Gambier, South Australia, from May 1 to May 3, 2020. The tent is approximately 64 metres wide and 84 metres long, reaching heights of up to 25 metres; it requires a crew of up to 18 people to assemble it and can hold up to 11,000 people. Generations in Jazz is hosted by James Morrison.Each year, James invites guest artists to perform in a variety of concerts held in the tent. The event sees about 5200 students performing each year and 200 buses transport them to and from the venue.
While the World's Largest Modular Tent supplies seating for the concerts and division 1 performances, there are a variety of other, smaller tents that hold performances and cater for food. Adjudicators are often on stage during one or more of the concerts held in the World's Largest Modular Tent and they compose the set piece for each division to play.
The 'James Morrison Jazz Scholarship' is open to solo instrumentalists. Six finalists are judged during the Generations In Jazz weekend. The winner receives $10,000 to assist in the development of their career.
The winner will receive $10,000 to assist in the development of their career.
The Big Band part of the festival invites secondary school big bands from around Australia and New Zealand to compete for prize money of up to $7000 (Division 1).[3] Bands compete for prize money in one of four divisions and stand-out musicians can be rewarded with a place in their division's "Superband". Several improvising musicians in Division 1 are nominated as potential "Future Finalists" of the James Morrison Jazz Scholarship, and one is selected to win $3,500 to assist their musical education. Divisions 1 and 2 superbands and future finalists all play at the Festival Finale. Division 5 (first introduced in 2013) bands are adjudicated only, though one band is selected to win an encouragement award.
The James Morrison Academy of Music (previously known as the Generations In Jazz Academy) was a Jazz Performance course run by Graeme Lyall catering to young musicians. It was run in Mount Gambier, South Australia, and offered a one-year Diploma of Music through its affiliation with the University of South Australia. The course covered aural, theory, arranging and improvisation. All students rehearsed together as a large ensemble for 90 minutes, Monday to Friday. The ensemble had the opportunity to play with James Morrison at the Generations in Jazz Festival. In 2015 the academy moved into the Old Town Hall in Mt. Gambier.
The academy had its final teaching year in 2021, since opting to operate as a 'pop-up' academy.[4] The closure is speculated to be due to a lack of funding and public displeasure over James Morrison's support of a sexual assault perpetrator.[5] [6] [7]
The 2020 Generations in Jazz competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. In a statement released on 13 March, the board outlined their reasoning and their disappointment at having to cancel the event. "Of paramount importance to the Board is the safety and welfare of both the participants and the local community. The Board cannot offer any certainty to deliver the level of Risk management actions required to protect all involved under these current circumstances. It is a very disappointing time for all and we acknowledge the work and dedication of the students, Music Directors and auxilliary [sic] support."[8]
The competition was also cancelled in 2021.
The competition returned in 2023 following the pandemic. Dirty Loops performed at the event.
2023[9]
2022 (Online Competition)[10]
2019[11]
| Division | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prince Alfred College (SA) | Blackburn High School (VIC) | St Leonard's College (VIC) | |
| 2.1 | Palmerston North Boys' High (NZ) | Blackburn High School (VIC) | Ringwood Secondary College (VIC) | |
| 2.2 | Balwyn High School (VIC) | Concordia College (SA) | St Mary's College (SA) | |
| 3.1 | Genazzano FCJ College (VIC) | Lowther Hall Anglican (VIC) & St Peter's Girls' School (SA) | Balwyn High School (VIC) | |
| 3.2 | Siena College (VIC) | Kirrawee High School (NSW) | Blackfriars Priory School (SA) | |
| 4.1 | Mentone Grammar(VIC) | Wilderness School (SA) | John Monash Science School (VIC) & St Michael's College (SA) | |
| 4.2 | Temple Christian College (SA) | Walford Anglican School for Girls (SA) | Blackburn High School (VIC) | |
| 4.3 | Our Lady of Sion College (VIC) | Parkdale Secondary College (VIC) | Killester College (VIC) | |
| 4 Mixed | Melbourne Girls' College (VIC) | St Paul's College (SA) | Tenison Woods College (SA) | |
| Vocal Div 1 Large | Marryatville High School (SA) | Walford Anglican School for Girls (SA) | Princes Hill Secondary College (VIC) | |
| Vocal Div 1 Small | Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VIC) | Caulfield Grammar (VIC) | Aquinas College (VIC) | |
| Vocal Open Small | St Peter's Girls' School (SA) | Temple Christian College (SA) | Donvale Christian College (VIC) | |
| Vocal Div 2 | St Peter's Girls' School (SA) | St Leonard's College (VIC) | Immanuel College (SA) | |
| Vocal Div 3.1 | Nazareth Catholic Community College (SA) | Immanuel College (Australia) | Immanuel College (SA) | Wantirna College (VIC) |
| Vocal Div 3.2 | Toorak College (VIC) | Wilderness School (SA) & Princes Hill Secondary College (VIC) | Pedare Christian College (SA) | |
| Vocal Div 4 | Albert Park College (VIC) | St Martins Lutheran College (SA) & Carey Baptist College (WA) | Scotch College (SA) & St Bede's College (VIC) | |
| Small Jazz Combo Div 1.1 | Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VIC) | Camberwell High School (VIC) | Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VIC) | |
| Small Jazz Combo Div 1.2 | Concordia College (SA) | Blackburn High School (VIC) | Brighton Secondary School (SA) |
2018[12]
| Award | Recipient | |
|---|---|---|
| Mauri Le Doeuff Sax Section Award | Balwyn High School (VIC) | |
| James Morrison Jazz Scholarship | Jayden Blockley | |
| GIJ Vocal Scholarship | Stephanie Russell | |
| Pat Corrigan Future Finalist Award | Thomas Levings (Trombone) | |
| Ron Denning Award | Jazzie Vanua (Division 1)Phoebe Bengough (Division 1) Lily Seymour (Division 2) Imogen Spendlove (Division 2) | |
| Alexander Gregory Piano Award | Marco Callisto (Division 1) | |
| Wenger Band Directors Award | Philip Walsh | |
| Golden Mouthpiece Award | Emma Simpson-Smith | |
| Bach Trombone Award | Siena College | |
| Yamaha Drums & Winston Music Drummers Award (Div 4) | Alex Whaley | |
| Yamaha Drums & Winston Music Drummers Award (Div 5) | Jacob Bellingham |
2017[13]
| Division | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blackburn High School (VIC) | Marryatville High School (SA) | Eltham High School (VIC) | |
| 2.1 | Wesley College (VIC) | St Peter's College (SA) | Prince Alfred College (SA) | |
| 2.2 | Scotch College (VIC) | Westminster School (SA) | St Kevin's College (VIC) | |
| 3.1 | Eltham High School (VIC) | Concordia College (SA) | Carey Baptist Grammar School (VIC) | |
| 3.2 | Elizabeth College (TAS) | Peninsula Grammar (VIC) | The Geelong College (VIC) | |
| 4.1 | Temple Christian College (SA) | John Monash Science School (VIC) | St Michael's Grammar School (VIC) | |
| 4.2 | Waverley Christian College (VIC) | The Knox School (VIC) | Ruyton Girls' School (VIC) | |
| 4 Mixed | St Paul’s College (SA) | Glenunga International (SA) | Prince Alfred College (SA) | |
| Vocal Div 1 Large | Immanuel College (SA) | Wilderness School (SA) | Marryatville High School (SA) | |
| Vocal Div 1 Small | St Peter's Girls' School (SA) | Princes Hill Secondary College (VIC) | Ruyton Girls' School (VIC) | |
| Vocal Div 2 | St Peter's Girls' School (SA) | Wesley College (VIC) | Marryatville High School (SA) | |
| Vocal Div 3 | Aquinas College (VIC) | Ruyton Girls' School (VIC) | Viewbank College (VIC) | |
| Vocal Div 4 | Waverley Christian College (VIC) | Ruyton Girls' School (VIC) | Parkdale Secondary (VIC) | |
| Small Jazz Combo | Marryatville High School (SA) | Balwyn High School (VIC) | Princes Hill Secondary College (VIC) |
| Award | Recipient | |
|---|---|---|
| Mauri Le Doeuff Sax Section Award | Manly Selective Campus | |
| James Morrison Jazz Scholarship | Flora Carbo (Alto Saxophone) | |
| GIJ Vocal Scholarship | Amelia Evans | |
| Blanchard Award | Emily GittinsCharlie Lodge Tom McCracken | |
| Pat Corrigan Future Finalist Award | Callum Mintzis (Trombone) | |
| Ron Denning Award | Sarah Brownridge (Division 1)Jazmine Vanua (Division 2) Izzy Norman (Division 2) | |
| Alexander Gregory Piano Award | Marco Callisto (Division 1)Brad Bellard (Division 2) | |
| Wenger Band Directors Award | Mat Noble | |
| Golden Mouthpiece Award | Alistair Hardie | |
| P-Bone Trombone Award | Elizabeth College (TAS) | |
| Yamaha Drums & Winston Music Drummers Award | Nicholas Costa |
2016
| Award | Recipient | |
|---|---|---|
| GIJ Vocal Scholarship | Kayleigh Pincott (QLD) | |
| James Morrison Jazz Scholarship | Matthew Nicholls |
2015
| Division | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 'Golden Mouthpiece' Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marryatville High School (SA) | Wesley College SKR (VIC) | St Leonard's College & Blackburn High School (VIC) | Wesley College SKR (VIC) - Lead Trumpet |
| 2 | Marryatville High School (SA) | Concordia College (South Australia) (SA) | Christian College Geelong (VIC) | |
| 3.1 | Yarra Valley Grammar (VIC) | Elizabeth College (TAS) | St John's Grammar School (SA) | |
| 3.2 | Eltham High School (VIC) | Prince Alfred College (SA) | The Peninsula School (VIC) | |
| 4.1 | Shalom Catholic College (QLD) | Immanuel College (SA) | Pedare Christian College (SA) | |
| 4.2 | Wilderness School (SA) | St Columba’s College (VIC) | St Monica's College (VIC) |
2014 [14]
| Division | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Honorable Mentions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blackburn High School (VIC) | Marryatville High School (SA) | Northcote High School (VIC) | |
| 2 | Caulfield Grammar School (VIC) | Marryatville High School (SA) | Prince Alfred College (SA) | |
| 3.1 | Prince Alfred College (SA) | Marryatville High School (SA) | Eltham High School (VIC) | |
| 3.2 | Yarra Valley Grammar (VIC) | Concordia College (SA) | Wilderness School (SA) | |
| 4 | Prince Alfred College (SA) | Eltham High School (VIC) | Bendigo SE Secondary College (VIC) | |
| Vocal Div 1 | Marryatville High School (SA) | St John's Grammar School (SA) | St. Mary's College (SA) | St John's Grammar School (SA) |
| Vocal Div 2 | Pembroke School (SA) | Marryatville High School (SA) | Immanuel College (SA) | |
| Vocal Div 3 | St Michael's College (SA) | The Geelong College (VIC) | Marymount College (SA) |
| Award | Recipient | |
|---|---|---|
| Mauri Le Doeuff Perpetual Award | Balwyn High School (VIC) | |
| Schlager Music Directors Award | Nathaniel Poynter, Yarra Valley Grammar (VIC) | |
| James Morrison Jazz Scholarship | David Goodwin (SA) | |
| James Morrison Golden Mouthpiece Award | Matthew Todd, Blackburn High School (VIC) | |
| City of Mt Gambier Vocal Scholarship | Olivia Chindamo (VIC) |
2013 [15]
| Division | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marryatville High School (SA) | Scotch College (VIC) | Prince Alfred College (SA), Eltham High School (VIC) | |
| 2 | Immanuel College (SA) | Balwyn High School (VIC) | Marryatville High School (SA) | |
| 3.1 | Trinity Grammar School (VIC) | Loreto Mandeville Hall (VIC) | The Geelong College (VIC) | |
| 3.2 | Scotch College (VIC) | The Peninsula School (VIC) | Lavalla Catholic College (VIC) | |
| 4 | Tenison Woods College (SA) | St Bernard's College (VIC) | Yarra Valley Grammar (VIC) | |
| Vocal Div 1 | St. Mary's College (SA) | Wilderness School (SA) | Marryatville High School (SA) | |
| Vocal Div 2 | Pembroke School (SA) | St Peter's Girls' School (SA) | Concordia College (SA) |
| Award | Recipient | |
|---|---|---|
| Mauri Le Doeuff Perpetual Award | Concordia College (SA) | |
| Schlager Music Directors Award | Leith Sutterd (SA) St John's Grammar School (SA) | |
| James Morrison Jazz Scholarship | Oli Nelson (NSW) | |
| City of Mt Gambier Vocal Scholarship | Hannah Cameron (VIC) |
2012[16]
| Division | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Honorable Mentions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marryatville High School (SA) | Scotch College (VIC) | Blackburn High School (VIC) | ||
| 2 | Orange High School (NSW) | Immanuel College (SA) | St Leonards College (VIC) | ||
| 3.1 | St Agnes Parish School (NSW) | St John's Grammar School (SA) | Prince Alfred College (SA) | ||
| 3.2 | Prince Alfred College (SA) | Loreto Mandeville Hall (VIC) | Scotch College (VIC) | ||
| Vocal Div 1 | Princes Hill Secondary College (VIC) | Marryatville High School (SA) | Wesley College, St Kilda (VIC) | ||
| Vocal Div 2 | St Ignatius College (SA) | St John's Grammar School (SA) | Ringwood Secondary College (VIC) | St John's Grammar School (SA) |
| Award | Recipient | |
|---|---|---|
| Mauri Le Doeuff Perpetual Award | Concordia College (SA) | |
| Winston Music & Schlager Music Directors Jazz Spirit Award | Alan Geddie - Riverland | |
| James Morrison Jazz Scholarship | Chris Travaglini (WA) | |
| City of Mt Gambier Vocal Scholarship | Liam Budge (ACT) |
2011[17]
| Division | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Honorable Mentions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marryatville High School (SA) | Blackburn High School (VIC) | Scotch College (VIC) | |
| 2 | Orange High School (NSW) | Immanuel College (SA) | St Leonards College (VIC) | Prince Alfred College (SA), Concordia College (SA) |
| 3.1 | Tenison Woods College (SA) | Trinity Grammar School (VIC) | St John's Grammar School (SA) | |
| 3.2 | St Agnes Parish School (NSW) | Loreto Mandeville Hall (VIC) | Scotch College (VIC) | Riverland Stage Band (SA) |
| Vocal | St Johns Grammar School (SA) | Princes Hill Secondary College (VIC) | Wilderness School (SA) |
| Award | Recipient | |
|---|---|---|
| Mauri Le Doeuff Perpetual Award | Concordia College (SA) | |
| Yamaha Music Directors Jazz Spirit Award | Mat Duniam and Gemma Horbury (VIC) | |
| Pat Corrigan Musicians & Artists Fund | David Goodwin (SA) | |
| GIJ Vocal Scholarship | Megan Crocombe (QLD) |
2010 [18]
| Division | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Honorable Mentions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wesley College, St Kilda (VIC) | Blackburn High School (VIC) | Scotch College (VIC) | |
| 2 | Blackburn High School (VIC) | Wesley College, Glen Waverley (VIC) | Scotch College (VIC) | Immanuel College (SA) |
| 3.1 | Prince Alfred College (SA) | Rostrevor College (SA) | Immanuel College (SA) | |
| 3.2 | Wesley College, Glen Waverley (VIC) | The Geelong College (VIC) | St. Aloysius College (SA) |
| Award | Recipient | |
|---|---|---|
| Mauri Le Doeuff Perpetual Award | Yarra Valley Grammar (VIC) | |
| Yamaha Music Directors Award | Mary Robbie (VIC) | |
| James Morrison Jazz scholarship | Harry Sutherland (NSW) | |
| GIJ Vocal Scholarship | Kate Kelsey-Sugg (VIC) |
2009 [19]
| Division | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Honorable Mentions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NSW Performing Arts Unit (NSW) | Wesley College, St Kilda (VIC) | Rostrevor College (SA) | |
| 2 | Eltham High School (VIC) | Marryatville High School (SA) | Scotch College (VIC) | Blackburn High School (VIC) |
| 3.1 | Blackburn High School (VIC) | Riverland Stage Band (SA) | Brighton Secondary School (SA) | |
| 3.2 | Yarra Valley Grammar (VIC) | Faith Lutheran College (SA) | St Peter's College (SA) |
| Award | Recipient | |
|---|---|---|
| James Morrison Jazz scholarship | Daniel Clohesy (SA) | |
| GIJ Vocal Scholarship | Sarah McKenzie (VIC) |
2018
| Division | Song | Composer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hunter | R. J. Irwin | |
| 2 | Mambo for Mike | Nick Mulder | |
| 3 | Right in the Block | Thomas Ghea | |
| 4 | Gospel Hustle | Jordan Murray | |
| 4+ (Mixed Instrumentation) | Gospel Hustle | Jordan Murray | |
| 5 | Windscreen Swing | William (Bill) Broughton | |
| Vocal Div 1 (Large) | Your Hand in Mine | Naomi Crellin | |
| Vocal Div 1 (Small) | Stoned Soul Picnic | Laury Nyro | |
| Vocal Div 2 | Cosita Davina | Emma Pask | |
| Vocal Open (Small) | Open Season | Naomi Crellin | |
| Vocal Div 3 | Bury the Story | Luke Thompson | |
| Vocal Div 4 | Where Do We Go From Here | Naomi Crellin, Nick Begbie |
2017[20]
| Division | Song | Composer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back Home Again in Indiana | ||
| 2 | Song for Tuck | Graeme Lyall | |
| 3 | Big Duke | Ross Irwin | |
| 4 | Second Take | Nick Mulder | |
| 5 | Settling the Score | Ed Wilson | |
| Vocal Div 1 (Large) | Fruitcake | Naomi Crellin, Nick Begbie | |
| Vocal Div 1 (Small) | Grass Grows Greener | Anders Edenroth | |
| Vocal Div 2 | Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child | Naomi Crellin | |
| Vocal Div 3 | My Boat | Andrew Piper | |
| Vocal Div 4 | Two Roads | Naomi Crellin |
2015
| Division | Song | Composer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucidity | Mark Nightingale | |
| 2 | Boston Strong Boy | Ross Irwin | |
| 3 | How Much Sleeps | Nick Mulder | |
| 4 | The 3D's | Bill Broughton |
2014
| Division | Song | Composer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | There's The Rub | Gordon Goodwin | |
| 2 | Hudson Dusters | Ross Irwin | |
| 3 | The Real McCoy | Nick Mulder |