New Melbourne Venue Bird's Basement to Open in March

The jazz corner of the world is now extended to Melbourne. Bird's Basement opens on March 1 with a stellar line up of breathtaking musicians from the best international and local performers, including US jazz legends Ravi Coltrane and Lee Ritenour.

Saxophonist Ravi Coltrane is not just any musician. He is the son of royalty as his late father was one of the most important figures who ever lived in the jazz world. As the opening Act of the Bird's Basement for a week long season of celebrations, Ravi Coltrane brings with him the aura of cultural tradition of the American greatest Art form. Ravi has managed to reinvent the Saxophone and come with his own sound that made him today one of the most important musicians on the planet.

As well as being the new stage of international legends, Bird's Basement extends its courtesy to our local ones. Australian artists Brian Mannix, Wendy Matthews, Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows, Albare, Joe Chindamo, Phil Turcio, Mike Nock and one of folk's hottest properties, British a capella trio The Young'uns, will also perform in Bird's opening month.

Bird's Basement, a purpose-built performance club in the heart of the CBD, will offer two shows a night the first at 6pm and then 9.30pm, accompanied by an Italian a la carte menu by Head Chef Luigi Buono, formally Bakini, Caffé e Cucina, 38 Chairs, Enoteca Sileno.

The club owner is Albert Dadon AM, a Melbourne businessman and prominent jazz musician who has long had links with Australian and international jazz. Mr Dadon is the founder and chairman of the board of The Australian Jazz Awards Limited (a not-for-profit arts organisation), and introduced the inaugural Australian Jazz Bell Awards in 2003.

In 2008 he received an Order of Australia (AM) for service to business and the arts - particularly through bringing the Umbria Jazz Festival to Melbourne in 2005 - and for philanthropic support for cultural and charitable organisations.

As the former Melbourne International Jazz Festival Chairman and Director (2001 - 2009) Mr Dadon says: "I hope to create a permanent Music Festival in the heart of Melbourne."

Bird's Basement promises to elevate the Australian cultural music scene to an international level, offering patrons an authentic Italian dining and high quality musical experience. Bird's Basement is positioning itself to become the ultimate venue in music entertainment and that's great news for Melbourne.