Live Jazz at The Underground

The Underground is hosting live improvised jazz every Tuesday night, with the next session on 21 July. It's a residency that runs through to 22 December, so if you miss one week, there's another coming right after. The nights are presented by the Newcastle Improvised Music Association and The Grand Hotel, and the music is exactly what the name says: improvised jazz played live on the night.

What sets it apart from a standard gig is the format. There's no setlist to follow, and the music is made up as it goes, which means every Tuesday brings something different. The lineup changes too, with musicians coming from around Newcastle and from further afield to sit in. Because it's improvised, you're hearing the music being built in the room rather than a rehearsed show.

The venue is The Underground, tucked inside The Grand Hotel at 32 Church Street in Newcastle. It's an intimate listening space, and the organisers describe it as having a feel like the New York jazz clubs of the 1920s — a place where the focus is on the music and you're close enough to see the players working. If you're into jazz, it's a good spot to settle in and just listen.

Tickets are A$20 plus a booking fee. It's worth keeping in mind that the jazz doesn't stop on Tuesdays: Thursday nights at the venue are dedicated to jazz jams, so if you're looking for more, there's a second night in the mix.