Jazz Harbingers Quintet: Melbourne-based hardbop band inspired by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

Performing Live:

THE MUSIC OF ART BLAKEY AND THE JAZZ MESSENGERS!

Jazz Harbingers

Hard Bop Band

NEXT GIG: Paris Cat Jazz Club:
Friday July 3rd, 2026
(9:30pm - downstairs in the Basement)

** Event Has Sold Out **

The Jazz Harbingers Quintet:

Based in Melbourne, The Jazz Harbingers is the premier tribute band to Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in the country. The Jazz Harbingers draw heavily on influences from albums like Moanin', Indestructible and Free For All, seeking to capture the energy of Art Blakey's multigenerational all-star band and convey its old school sensibilities to the Melbourne scene.

The Jazz Harbingers at Paris Cat Jazz Club in Feb 2020

Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers is among the most prolific, seminal and iconic bands in jazz history. Running for a total of 35 years, the band has featured and mentored countless world-famous musicians, including Freddie Hubbard, Clifford Brown, Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, Benny Golson, and Cedar Walton.

They are sometimes credited with the invention of Hard bop - a subgenre of jazz that incorporates the influence of blues, gospel and RnB into the fold of a rich bebop language.

The Jazz Harbingers at Paris Cat Jazz Club in June 2022

You may wonder what our name means. Harbinger is defined as: "something that announces or signals the approach of another." So we are bringers of Jazz, but also signal the approach of Art Blakey's world-renowned music to the Australian scene.

The Jazz Harbingers Quintet at The Paris Cat in 20228

The core members of our band include:

Justin Foster: Tenor Saxophone
Jerry Li: Trumpet
Matthew Steele: Piano
Jonah Grant: Double Bass
Miles Henry: Drums.

(Note: See Gig details for that night's Line-Up. Other performers: Charlie Rank: Double Bass; Luke Drohan: Piano; Stuart McCowan: Piano; Russel Tay: Piano; Joel Trigg: Piano; Hugh Parsons: Trumpet; Benedict Saputra: Drums; Alex Spicer: Drums.)

The Jazz Harbingers Quintet at The Jazz Lab in 2018

Punters and fans have previously seen The Jazz Harbingers perform at well-know venues such as Paris Cat Jazz Club, Uptown Jazz Cafe, Jazz Lab, and Fyrefly.

Don't miss Melbourne's own fiery Jazz Messengers Tribute Band! If you would like to share in the hardbop music we love, book us for your club or venue!

Studio Recordings:

You can also vist: Jazz Harbingers' SoundCloud Channel Playlist

Live Performance Recordings:

You can also vist: Jazz Harbingers' SoundCloud Channel Playlist

Live Performance Videos:

You can also vist: Jazz Harbingers' YouTube Channel Playlist
or for some short clips, visit: Jazz Harbingers' Instragram Page

"A La Mode" - by Curtis Fuller, performed by The Jazz Harbingers at The Paris Cat Jazz Club - February 6, 2020

"Caravan" - by Duke Ellington, performed by The Jazz Harbingers at The Paris Cat Jazz Club - February 6, 2020

"Whisper Not" - by Benny Golson, performed by The Jazz Harbingers at The Uptown Jazz Cafe - December 21, 2019

"Night in Tunisia" - by Dizzy Gillespie, performed by The Jazz Harbingers at The Uptown Jazz Cafe - December 21, 2019

"Shibuya Crossing Blues" - an original composition by Benedict Julian Saputra, performed by The Jazz Harbingers at The Fyrefly - November 29, 2019

"Bye George" - by Michael Brecker, performed at The Uptown Jazz Cafe - June 2019 (as a Quartet)

"Tour de Force" - by Dizzy Gillespie, performed at The Jazz Lab - October 2018

Upcoming Gigs: Sold Out

You can also vist: Jazz Harbingers' Facebook Page

Jazz Harbingers gig at Paris Cat Jazz Club - July 3, 2026 is Sold Out

Line-up for the night:

Justin Foster: Tenor Saxophone
Jerry Li: Trumpet
Joel Trigg: Piano
Charlie Rank: Double Bass
Alex Spicer: Drums

Click here for The Jazz Harbingers facebook event details.

The Jazz Harbingers is Melbourne's only hardbop band dedicated to Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Hard bop is a subgenre of jazz that is an extension of bebop (or "bop") music that incorporated influences from blues, rhythm and blues, and gospel music. Hard bop melodies tend to be simpler and more "soulful".

For a night featuring timeless tunes and beloved albums, be sure to catch them at the Paris Cat Jazz Club!

"We've tried to take a fresh approach and will be playing a set of really exciting tunes from some of our favourite Jazz Messenger albums."

"We can't wait to show you what we'll be opening with!"

Paris Cat Jazz Club:
www.pariscat.com.au
www.facebook.com/pariscatjazzclub

The Paris Cat Jazz Club is Melbourne's finest dedicated live jazz venue. Established in 2005, this iconic live music venue offers a wonderful eclectic music program and plays a major role in supporting live music in Melbourne. They are committed to featuring the City's best jazz and are always on a pursuit to discover the next generation of Australian Jazz artists.

This unique venue has been at the forefront of Live Jazz in Melbourne for over 19 years now and has become a respected Live Jazz institution making it a vital part of Melbourne's Arts culture. It truly is a unique and intimate venue and was chosen by the Age magazine as one of the cities must see venues.

It has featured numerous international and local acts over this time and has become a must see attraction for jazz music lovers. The three-story warehouse built in 1895 hosts two live jazz performance rooms and a Gallery tapas bar. The ultimate ambiance is reminiscent of the French post war Bee-Bop era and the club offers guests a beautiful setting and listening experience.

The Iconic basement room has hosted some incredible gigs over the years. Voted by 'The Age' as one of five must see Melbourne venues. Don Burrows, The Aaron Goldburg Trio [NY], The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and in 2014 Robbie Williams and his bigband have all performed unforgettable shows. Bob Dylan was also seen enjoying the underground music room. This is a truly unique music room and well worth a visit.

Click here for Our Paris Cat's gig details.

Don't miss Melbourne's own fiery Jazz Messengers Tribute Band!

Friday, 3 July 2026

6 Goldie Place, Melbourne
(Downstairs in The Basement)

Doors open: 9:00pm

Show: 9:30pm - 11:30pm

Ticket Prices:

Reserved Seating online: $45
** Sold Out **

Dining:
The Paris Cat offers guests a Tapas bar menu. A selection of delicious finger food items are available. Menu items range from Tasting Platters for 4 - Anitpasto & Vegetarian Options available, Wedges, Arancini, Cheese/Salami platters, Pizzettas, Marinated olives and more. (Gluten Free Pizza Bases are available upon request.) The perfect way to enjoy some nice wine, food and cool jazz. A fine wine selection is available along with Cocktails, Martinis, Local and imported beers, Premium spirits.

Getting There:
Goldie Place is a laneway that is located between Queen St and Hardware Lane, and can be accessed from either Lonsdale St or Little Bourke St. (The entrance is closer to the Lt Bourke St side.) Note: The Paris Cat sign is not visable until you have walked down the laneway.

PARKING: Car parks are situated on Queen St and Lonsdale St at a flat rate of $8 for the evening. Please be sure you check closing times! Or you can try your luck with street parking as it is free after 7-30pm.

TRAIN & TRAM services: Spencer St, Flinders St and Melbourne Central Stations are all within walking distance. Trams run down Elizebeth St to Lt Bourke St from Flinders St Station and down Bourke St to Queen St from Spencer St Station. For timetable info: www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au.

TAXI: Ask the driver to take you to Queen St and Lt Bourke St, walk down in the direction of Elizabeth St. Goldie Place will be the first laneway on the left. Melbourne Cabs: 1300 635 222 or Silver Top: 131 008