ROBBIE MANN & NEILL DUNCAN: THE DOCTOR IS IN SESSION // Saturday, 8 January 2022 // 8:30-10:30 pm // Free Event; No Bookings: Walk-Ins Only // Venue: Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern; Fairmont Resort & Spa, 1 Sublime Point Rd, Leura.
Sometimes a little downtime is just what the doctor ordered, and at the iconic Fairmont Resort & Spa, the Two Doctors Whisky Tavern is the perfect setting to sink into a comfy lounge with a delightful nip or cocktail in hand. To bring a little excitement to the weekend, 'The Doctor is in Session' brings live music direct to your new favourite new haunt, courtesy of some of the region's finest musicians and DJs. This is one doctor's appointment you don't want to miss, so whether it's a weekend away, date night or a catch-up with friends, head on into Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern for a little after-dinner treat.
To bring the beat this week, one of Australia's top stride pianists, ROBBIE MANN, will be dropping in with one-arm sax & drummer, NEILL DUNCAN, for a couple of sets . . . welcome to Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern, the doctor will see you soon 😉.
/ ROBBIE MANN & NEILL DUNCAN /
Robbie Mann specialises in a style of early jazz piano known as ‘Stride’. Born of ragtime, the term ‘stride’ was coined for reasons that will be immediately recognisable if you spy the left hand of a well-versed practitioner. In its purest form, Stride is a rarely heard idiom, and Robbie is one of the very few masters of the style in Australia. While many a pianist may be fine purveyors of the accurate leaping left hand, Stride piano is a much more specific adherence to particular rhythms and mannerisms. For a demonstration, one must simply listen to some of the founding masters of the style. The music of James P. Johnson, Willie ‘The Lion’ Smith, Fats Waller and Donald Lambert would constitute an excellent start. While Robbie often fuses his genuine grasp of stride with many other forms of music, to great expressive effect and artistic exploration, the soul of the music remains unmistakably, ‘Stride Piano’. Stride is especially suited to solo performance due to its emphasis on the ability to mimic an entire rhythm section in the left hand. Robbie regularly performs as a solo artist, including a mix of ragtime, stomps and eccentric arrangements of eclectic melodies amongst established jazz standards.
Neill Duncan is one of New Zealand’s most exciting and eccentric musical exports. His natural talent was almost cut short in 2016 when he lost his left arm to cancer. Proving you can’t keep a great musician quiet, Neill now plays a bespoke, one-handed tenor saxophone, designed and built in Amsterdam. As if that weren’t impressive enough, he also plays an adapted drum kit, a megaphone, and a few additional weird and wonderful instruments that thrill crowds Australia-wide.
/ THE DOCTOR IS IN SESSION @ TWO DOCTORS WHISKEY TAVERN /
Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern, a refined, yet quirky whiskey bar hidden in the basement of the iconic Fairmont Resort & Spa is defined by cosy interior spaces, paying homage to the whiskey taverns of yesteryear. The warm and charming vibe is accentuated by leather chesterfields, plush velvet chairs and bookshelves to explore, complete with vintage books and curios. Add to this the Blue Mountains longest list of local and international whiskies, craft beers, regional wines and signature cocktails, you will feel right at home, whether you're just dropping in for a quick visit, or you've made Two Doctors your regular haunt.
Presented by 'Music in the Mountains', 'The Doctor is in Session' plays host to some of the Blue Mountains' best weekend vibes courtesy of the region's finest live musicians and DJs. The bar is fully stocked, there are some tasty snacks and desserts on offer, and the music will be the perfect backdrop to finish off your evening in style. You will want to book a cab this night, as this bar's offerings are second to none. Welcome to Two Doctors Whiskey Tavern . . . the doctor will see you soon 😉.
// Proudly presented by MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS //