If You Would Like To Book The Wonderdogs, Contact Alex Wilson on 51742369.
Welcome to the fourth edition of Pedigree. You have probably been wondering where the Wonderdogs have got to lately. The Great Dane, lan Christensen, has been travelling around Australia enjoying himself, while the rest of us hard working Wonderdogs remained at home. As you would be aware, the Wonderdogs do not use substitute musicians, so we had a much welcome break. Having said that though, I think we are itching to play again and are looking forward to a busy time in the next few months.
May, June and July were busy months for the Wonderdogs as we travelled to all parts of Victoria as guests of various Jazz Clubs. On Saturday 18th May the band played at the Werribee Jazz Club, a very friendly Club. This was a really enjoyable night and the crowd was pleasing. On the way home on the Sunday, we played at the Victoria Inn Hotel in Williamstown for the Williamstown Jazz and Swing Club. As usual the place was booked out and the Willie crowd were out for a good time. This is a great venue for Jazz and is a real "hot spot" on a Sunday afternoon. Rod is a very friendly host and we really enjoy playing for the Willie crowd and will be back there on 20th October.
From Jazz Clubs to Jazz Festivals-off to Merimbula. The Wonderdogs were lucky enough to get three spots at this years Merimbula Jazz Festival. Saturday night at Bazza's Bar, Sunday night at the Bowlo and Monday at the Racecourse. This was a great festival, as big as ever.
Good Country hospitality, an enthusiastic audience in a beautifully restored original country hall, were the ingredients for a most enjoyable night of Jazz at the Meeniyan Hall. A very large crowd braved the elements and supported this function put on by the Meeniyan Hall Committee. June 28th saw the Wonderdogs in their home territory at the Moe RSL playing for the Moe-Latrobe Valley Jazz Club. This function was also well supported by the local Jazz Club drawing the largest crowd of the year.
Back out West again on the 3rd August to the Geelong Jazz Club. Boy does this Club know how to do up a hall for a Jazz night! Beautiful multi-coloured signs adorned the entrance, stage and walls of the hall and the place looked great. Not only did it look good, it was good, we had a terrific night and really enjoyed the hospitality of the Geelong Jazz Club Committee and members.
UPCOMING GIGS================================================================================
4th October Caufield RSL, 4 St Georges Road Elsternwick 9528 3600 8.00 p.m. This will be the second time the Wonderdogs have played at the Caulfield RSL. The first time was a sell out and we are looking forward to this appearance, as it will be our first gig after our break. The dining room at the Caulfield RSL is immaculate and 1 great night is in store.
19th October Trafalgar Town Hall, Contingent St Trafalgar 5633 1344 7.30 p.m. The Wonderdogs have been booked for the Battle of Trafalgar Annual Ball. Apparently this is a real fun night with a comedian also being booked as compare for the night. Tickets are $25 each and people can book tables of 8 or 1 0, sharing tables is also a possibility.
20th October Victoria Inn Hotel, 65 Douglas Pde Williamstown 9399 9844 4.00 p.m. Many Melbourne Jazz fans find their way to the Vic Inn on Sunday afternoon for a final dose of hot Jazz before reality comes crashing down on Monday morning. See you at the Vic Inn.
1st-4th November Mildura Jazz Festival 5023 0404 By the time November comes around, we are all in the mood for some sunshine and warm weather. The Mildura Jazz Festival usually provides the warm weather as well as some of the best Jazz you could wish for from bands from Victoria and South Australia. This is the first time the Wonderdogs have been invited to Mildura and we are really looking forward to it.
23rd November VJC Air Force Club, 4 Crookwell Rd Sth. Yarra 9634 1173 8.00 p.m. It is always great to play for the VJC. This will be the fourth time the band has played at the Air Force Club in South Yarra and we are keen to meet up with the friendly crowd in Melbourne once again.
29th November MLVJC Moe RSL, Albert Street Moe 5127 1007 7.30 p.m. This will be the Moe-Latrobe Valley Jazz Club's Christmas party, and if other years are anything to go on, this should be a ripper of a night. Why not come along and start celebrating Christmas early at the Moe RSL with good friends and good Jazz.
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Greg had his musical beginnings playing guitar in a High School folk band in 1965. He played at many of the Melbourne jazz clubs with the Doody Boo Jug Band in the early 1970's, then moved to South Gippsland and formed the South Dudley Sewerage Authority All Electric Light, Bike, Pipe and Dike Ensemble, then came George Onions and The Windbreakers followed by a couple of years with Breeny's Old Time Music Hall. Greg then played with the Beedy Eyes Band, Kevin McGrath's Basin Street Six, Valley Jazz, and the Riviera Dixie-land Jazz Band. As well as the Wonderdogs, Greg also plays with the Riviera Jazz Band
