KING CANOE RELEASES NEW REGGAE ALBUM: ‘LA FORTUNA’

Following the release of their much-loved debut album ‘High Tide’ and countless performances across Melbourne, King Canoe have established themselves as one of Australia’s finest live reggae acts and the soundtrack to summer.

La Fortuna takes King Canoe into new territory, dipping into a broader pallet of sounds and grooves whilst still leaning on the band’s love of Jamaican music from the 60s and 70s. Recorded to tape at Canning Park Recordings and featuring the incredible vocals of Jamaican singer Pat Powell on two tracks, King Canoe’s long-awaited second album La Fortuna is out February 20 online and at all good record stores.

About the Band

King Canoe is an eight-piece curation of the finest instrumental musicians in Australia. The reggae and soul band members have played with the world’s biggest names in the genre—from The Congos to Mavis Staples, Prince Alla to Maceo Parker and Syl Johnson. Individually, they perform across many Melbourne soul and funk ensembles including The Putbacks, The Meltdown, The Bamboos, and Joelistics.

The Lineup

• Tom Martin: Guitar (The Putbacks, Bombay Royale, The Meltdown)

• Dan Marsh: Keyboards (The Red Eyes, Human Face)

• Julian Goyma: Drums (Bombay Royale, Public Opinion Afro Orchestra)

• Steve Allingham: Percussion (The Red Eyes, Blue King Brown)

• Rohan Sherlock: Bass (The Congos, The Red Eyes, Prince Alla)

• Ben Gillespie: Trombone (Gotye, The Cat Empire, C.W. Stoneking, Midnight Oil, Lauryn Hill)

• Lachlan McLean: Saxophone (The Meltdown, Maceo Parker, Femi Kuti)

• Produced by: Award-winning producer/composer Tom ‘Soup’ Campbell

La Fortuna is out Feb 20 on digital and vinyl.

With their roots in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Melbourne-based band The New Monos combine inspiration from their South American heritage and diverse musical experience with the flavor of contemporary Buenos Aires, mixing Reggae, Folklore, Cumbia, Rock, Rumba, Hip-hop and Latin beats, all expressed with the passion of the Tango.

Mondays JassHub supports local original and improvised jazz music. With the longest ongoing residency at Bar 303, the Jass Hub features many musicians, ensembles, groups and bands from across Melbourne.

Mondays at 303 keeps on a fantastic tradition of exceptional music with attitude, edge and soul!

The Julian Banks Quartet brings together four musicians with a deep musical connection and a shared commitment to creative improvisation. Led by saxophonist and composer Julian Banks, the group performs original works that honour the jazz lineage while boldly pushing into new expressive territory.

Julian has released two acclaimed albums of original music and appears as a sideman on numerous recordings. He has been featured as a soloist in leading Australian jazz ensembles, including Christopher Hale’s Sylvan Coda, and has led his quartet at major festivals such as the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues and the Ubud Village Jazz Festival in Indonesia, as well as performing at leading venues and jazz clubs across Australia.

With Joe Talia on drums, James Gilligan on bass, and Louis King on guitar, the quartet crafts music that moves between intensity and intimacy - clear melodies woven into rich harmonies and open improvisation. Their sound balances drive and subtlety, inviting listeners into a space where structure and freedom meet.

Support Lawrence Folvig

7.30 PM start

The Clayton Doley (Hammond/vocals), Dave Brewer (Guitar/vocals), Hamish Stuart (Drums) Trio is an exciting and energetic group that only comes together on the rarest occasions, but comprises the most enduring musical friendships. This is the first time they’ve ever played outside of Sydney, so it’s going to be monumental! History in the making…All three of them played in the now legendary Blues band, "The Mighty Reapers" and have been playing together since, in many other formats over the years. The chemistry is undeniable, they bounce off of each other and take the whole audience along with them in their journey into the blues and beyond. They each bring original music to the table as well as some of your favorite Mighty Reapers and other blues standards played in their own style.

Tix $20 CASH ONLY on the door.

With a career spanning over three decades, Doley has shared the stage and studio with legends like Joe Bonamassa, Jimmy Barnes, and Steve Cropper. Whether leading his world-class band Bayou Billabong or delivering a masterclass in the classic organ trio format, his performances are a masterclass in "old-school" cool mixed with modern technical brilliance.

“I have been having the best gigs in Melbourne lately and really can’t wait to come back a see everyone again. Of course it’s always a treat to play the beautifully maintained house organ there too. See you on the 31st for the next installment of Kickin the B at 303.”

https://claytondoley.bandcamp.com/

On Feb 27 head down the Bar of dreams, the Bar of the people and the Bar of which sets the standards for all other Bars to comfortably fail to live up to - Bar 303!

The Winfield Road Experiment, known for their flamboyount yet incredibly stylistic and tasteful brand of Instrumental SOUL, LATIN and JaZzZzZ music will be performing TWO - that's right TWO sets of music, coupled with 'light' humour and incredible stage theatrics!

And if the night couldn't possibly get any better, the incredible band Circuit Breaker will opening up the evening! Featuring a fully grown man with a Keytar and lots of other equally exciting things, Circuit Breaker are to EXPLODE your mind.

$15 entry at the door.

Doors at 7:30.

Set times:

8pm - Circuit Breaker
9pm and 10pm - The Winfield Road Experiment

Pinko Collective is a community organisation that aims to help build a strong community and support postive mental health. It does this by connecting people through music.

The goal is simple. Join us to watch or participate in one of our six weekly gatherings where local musicians, both accomplished and amateur, get up to showcase a small set of songs infront of a supportive audience.

It was born our of the Westgarth Idol - a fundraising event for Westgarth Primary - over 15 years ago and is made up of people who are both directly and indirectly linked to local school communities.

Got a song you've always wanted to sing?

As it's a collective, we have a bunch of willing collaborators for any song you may have in mind, so please contact us if you have something in mind you'd like to do?

We're not an open-mic, or a karaoke session, but if you have a direct or indirect link to members of the Collective, you can contact us to play! We particularly encourage women to put their hands up!

Our aim is to build social connection across the community using music as a means to gather together regularly.

Sign up via pinkosessions@gmail.com or just drop in for a pint or for a squiz of the live music.

Come and enjoy the loungey, Saturday arvo vibe! xxxx

Free entry!

Homebass is coming back to Bar 303 with another heavy session of bass and beats.

We’re gearing up to bring you a night full of deep rolling pressure and unclassifiable beat science with a massive line up

FREE ENTRY before 10PM tickets must be booked online in advance.

Your favourite home away from home , last Saturday of the month! DNB, 140, HipHop, Beats, UKG, Psychedelic Bass music. LIMITED FREE SIGNUP

FEB EDITION
featuring.. IMMERSE - https://soundcloud.com/darkimmerse
MRAS NITZI - https://soundcloud.com/mrasnitzi
SLIPSTREAM - https://soundcloud.com/slipstreamaus

Mondays JassHub supports local original and improvised jazz music. With the longest ongoing residency at Bar 303, the Jass Hub features many local musicians and jazz ensembles featuring Mick Power Band. Mondays at 303 keeps on a fantastic tradition of exceptional music with attitude, edge and soul!

Mick is a highly acclaimed jazz guitarist and educator based in Melbourne, recognized for his contributions to the city’s vibrant music scenes. Member of Bohjass, Toqui and the Factory Sessions.

From 7.00 PM

5$ Cash Entry

Melbourne’s premier electro-jazz chameleons Firetail take over Bar 303 every Wednesday this March for a month-long exploration of "jazz-tronica," psych-funk, and global groove. Each week features special guest supports.

Fresh off the release of their groundbreaking 2025 album Anglayang, a cross-cultural collaboration with Gamelan DanAnda. Firetail brings their signature "beguiling musical language" (The Age) back to the dark dive bars of Northcote.

From the space-jazz-funk of their debut LP Undertow to the intricate rhythms of South Indian Carnatic music and Balinese Gamelan, Firetail’s live sets are a transcendent journey through culture and connection.

ARTIST WEBSITE

Introducing the Shackmen. A very rare coming together of old friends who happen to make up one of the best rhythm sections in the country. The engine room of legendary Melbourne funk gods The Bamboos for 10 years, they are now the mystical unicorn of funk rhythm sections. Featuring Ben Grayson (Hammond), Lance Ferguson (Guitar), Yuri Pavlinov (bass) & Daniel Farrugia (drums). A special gig not to be missed! Tix $20 on the door

Ben Grayson - Hammond Organ
Yuri Pavlinov - Bass
Daniel Farrugia - Drums
Lance Ferguson - Guitar

2 sets, 9pm -11pm

$20 cash entry

www.facebook.com/LanceFergusonMusic

www.facebook.com/thebamboos

Jazz meets Rock - From Australia's smallest orchestra, using elements of modern jazz, rock, Latin and funk, you will hear four guys produce a sound that is greater than the sum of their individual inputs. This is a unique experience in instrumental music. 

Ron Anderson - Sax and Flute
Mike Hirsh - Drums
Ben Harmsen - Bass
Geoff Spooner - Guitar

Photo by Kevin Blaze

FREE ENTRY

Bohjass JasshuB is a celebrated tradition of exceptional music with attitude, edge, and soul at Bar 303 usually happening on a Monday but thanks to the public holiday will be happening on a Sunday for one of its special nights featuring

• Bohjass

$5 Cash Entry

7.00 PM start

Melbourne’s premier electro-jazz chameleons Firetail take over Bar 303 every Wednesday this March for a month-long exploration of "jazz-tronica," psych-funk, and global groove. Each week features special guest supports.

Fresh off the release of their groundbreaking 2025 album Anglayang, a cross-cultural collaboration with Gamelan DanAnda. Firetail brings their signature "beguiling musical language" (The Age) back to the dark dive bars of Northcote.

From the space-jazz-funk of their debut LP Undertow to the intricate rhythms of South Indian Carnatic music and Balinese Gamelan, Firetail’s live sets are a transcendent journey through culture and connection.

ARTIST WEBSITE

Founded by Stefano “Tano” Ioele, G_Tano is a high-energy funk collective that blends old-school rhythms, acid jazz atmospheres, Mediterranean fusion, and psychedelic soul. Born in Melbourne in 2022, the band thrives on cultural diversity, featuring core members from South Korea, Panama, Indonesia, Italy, and Australia, while an extended family of rotating musicians from Ecuador, Chile, Brazil, and Fiji frequently join their explosive live sets.

The band's reputation for electrifying performances has earned them unforgettable shows and residencies at many iconic vanues across Melbourne, such as Open Studio and Bar Oussou, Northcote Social Club, Evelyn Hotel, The Espy, Shotkickers, the Beast, Bergy Bandroom and many others and memorable appearances at the Brunswick Street Festival, Inverloch Jazz Festival Firelight Fest. The band has been honoured by being the only band at the National Gallery of Victoria’s Grand Gala Night in December 2023.

ARTIST WEBSITE

Mondays JassHub supports local original and improvised jazz music. With the longest ongoing residency at Bar 303, the Jass Hub features many local musicians and jazz ensembles featuring Mick Power Band. Mondays at 303 keeps on a fantastic tradition of exceptional music with attitude, edge and soul!

Mick is a highly acclaimed jazz guitarist and educator based in Melbourne, recognized for his contributions to the city’s vibrant music scenes. Member of Bohjass, Toqui and the Factory Sessions.

From 7.00 PM

5$ Cash Entry

Melbourne’s premier electro-jazz chameleons Firetail take over Bar 303 every Wednesday this March for a month-long exploration of "jazz-tronica," psych-funk, and global groove. Each week features special guest supports.

Fresh off the release of their groundbreaking 2025 album Anglayang, a cross-cultural collaboration with Gamelan DanAnda. Firetail brings their signature "beguiling musical language" (The Age) back to the dark dive bars of Northcote.

From the space-jazz-funk of their debut LP Undertow to the intricate rhythms of South Indian Carnatic music and Balinese Gamelan, Firetail’s live sets are a transcendent journey through culture and connection.

ARTIST WEBSITE

You will dance and you will feel, not a command but a prediction, written in your DNA the truth guaranteed by our music, inspired by a philosophy so old that the words no longer exist, or perhaps words could never suffice. As for the monetary value, we have made an estimation based on necessity, we are sorry if it exceeds your means but we perform for free all around Melbourne so don't fret.

Sub-Sol and Rubita welcome you to 303 on the 19th of March to listen, to dance, drink and have a good night most importantly. Like our audience, we have no uniform except the intention for beauty in whatever form manifests. Enjoy!

Sub-Sol draws on the rhythms of West-Africa, Yoruba in particular, and fuses with it the eclectic variety of influences that each member brings, but all with the singular intention of making you dance.

https://www.instagram.com/subsolband/

GET TICKETS

Mondays JassHub supports local original and improvised jazz music. With the longest ongoing residency at Bar 303, the Jass Hub features many local musicians and jazz ensembles featuring Mick Power Band. Mondays at 303 keeps on a fantastic tradition of exceptional music with attitude, edge and soul!

Mick is a highly acclaimed jazz guitarist and educator based in Melbourne, recognized for his contributions to the city’s vibrant music scenes. Member of Bohjass, Toqui and the Factory Sessions.

From 7.00 PM

5$ Cash Entry

Melbourne’s premier electro-jazz chameleons Firetail take over Bar 303 every Wednesday this March for a month-long exploration of "jazz-tronica," psych-funk, and global groove. Each week features special guest supports.

Fresh off the release of their groundbreaking 2025 album Anglayang, a cross-cultural collaboration with Gamelan DanAnda. Firetail brings their signature "beguiling musical language" (The Age) back to the dark dive bars of Northcote.

From the space-jazz-funk of their debut LP Undertow to the intricate rhythms of South Indian Carnatic music and Balinese Gamelan, Firetail’s live sets are a transcendent journey through culture and connection.

ARTIST WEBSITE

The Putbacks are Melbourne’s premier grit-and-soul ensemble. Established in 2007, the group has become the "stone-cold pro" backbone of the Australian soul scene, most notably through their multi-award-winning collaboration with Indigenous powerhouse Emma Donovan.

Comprising Mick Meagher (bass), Rory McDougall (drums), Tom Martin (guitar), and Simon Mavin (keys), the band specializes in raw, fluid, and razor-sharp funk that pays homage to the Stax and Atlantic traditions while maintaining a distinctly Naarm/Melbourne identity.

The Putbacks take their cues from the great house bands of the 60s and 70s soul studios - think of The MGs, The Meters and The Wrecking Crew, as well as film composers from David Axelrod to Adrian Younge and contemporary instrumental groups BADBADNOTGOOD and Khruangbin.  

https://theputbacks.bandcamp.com/album/the-putbacks

Mondays JassHub supports local original and improvised jazz music. With the longest ongoing residency at Bar 303, the Jass Hub features many local musicians and jazz ensembles featuring Mick Power Band. Mondays at 303 keeps on a fantastic tradition of exceptional music with attitude, edge and soul!

Mick is a highly acclaimed jazz guitarist and educator based in Melbourne, recognized for his contributions to the city’s vibrant music scenes. Member of Bohjass, Toqui and the Factory Sessions.

From 7.00 PM

5$ Cash Entry

Guitarist Nash Lee (12 Tone Diamonds, Rabid Hawk) leads a dynamic  quartet featuring Melbourne saxophone great Julien Wilson, powerhouse drummer Sam Bates and rising bass force Charlie Rank.

Together they explore deep rhythmic interplay and melodic conversation - blending lyricism, groove and open improvisation in equal measure.

Lee’s roots trace back to the vibrant North Coast scene of the ’90s, where he was mentored by rhythm visionary Greg Sheehan and guitar master Jim Kelly. Now based in Melbourne, he continues to refine his voice within the jazz tradition while keeping a fearless, exploratory edge.

Each week features a completely different lineup and a fresh slice of improvised Melbourne mayhem in the communal spirit of workshopping number diamonds, original improvised music and exploring the standard repertoire.

Wed 06 May - Badger on the Paddock | Feat. Tom Fryer, Julian Banks, Nick Delaney, Arron Light

Wed 13 May - CNL | Feat. Toby Barrett, Charlie Rank, Paul Whitwood, Chris Pappas

Wed 20 May - Rabid Hawk | Feat. Julien Wilson, Craig Fermanis

Wed 27 May - Rabid Hawk | Feat. Julien Wilson & James Sherlock

Guitarist Nash Lee (12 Tone Diamonds, Rabid Hawk) leads a dynamic  quartet featuring Melbourne saxophone great Julien Wilson, powerhouse drummer Sam Bates and rising bass force Charlie Rank.

Together they explore deep rhythmic interplay and melodic conversation - blending lyricism, groove and open improvisation in equal measure.

Lee’s roots trace back to the vibrant North Coast scene of the ’90s, where he was mentored by rhythm visionary Greg Sheehan and guitar master Jim Kelly. Now based in Melbourne, he continues to refine his voice within the jazz tradition while keeping a fearless, exploratory edge.

Each week features a completely different lineup and a fresh slice of improvised Melbourne mayhem in the communal spirit of workshopping number diamonds, original improvised music and exploring the standard repertoire.

Wed 06 May - Badger on the Paddock | Feat. Tom Fryer, Julian Banks, Nick Delaney, Arron Light

Wed 13 May - CNL | Feat. Toby Barrett, Charlie Rank, Paul Whitwood, Chris Pappas

Wed 20 May - Rabid Hawk | Feat. Julien Wilson, Craig Fermanis

Wed 27 May - Rabid Hawk | Feat. Julien Wilson & James Sherlock

Guitarist Nash Lee (12 Tone Diamonds, Rabid Hawk) leads a dynamic  quartet featuring Melbourne saxophone great Julien Wilson, powerhouse drummer Sam Bates and rising bass force Charlie Rank.

Together they explore deep rhythmic interplay and melodic conversation - blending lyricism, groove and open improvisation in equal measure.

Lee’s roots trace back to the vibrant North Coast scene of the ’90s, where he was mentored by rhythm visionary Greg Sheehan and guitar master Jim Kelly. Now based in Melbourne, he continues to refine his voice within the jazz tradition while keeping a fearless, exploratory edge.

Each week features a completely different lineup and a fresh slice of improvised Melbourne mayhem in the communal spirit of workshopping number diamonds, original improvised music and exploring the standard repertoire.

Wed 06 May - Badger on the Paddock | Feat. Tom Fryer, Julian Banks, Nick Delaney, Arron Light

Wed 13 May - CNL | Feat. Toby Barrett, Charlie Rank, Paul Whitwood, Chris Pappas

Wed 20 May - Rabid Hawk | Feat. Julien Wilson, Craig Fermanis

Wed 27 May - Rabid Hawk | Feat. Julien Wilson & James Sherlock

Guitarist Nash Lee (12 Tone Diamonds, Rabid Hawk) leads a dynamic  quartet featuring Melbourne saxophone great Julien Wilson, powerhouse drummer Sam Bates and rising bass force Charlie Rank.

Together they explore deep rhythmic interplay and melodic conversation - blending lyricism, groove and open improvisation in equal measure.

Lee’s roots trace back to the vibrant North Coast scene of the ’90s, where he was mentored by rhythm visionary Greg Sheehan and guitar master Jim Kelly. Now based in Melbourne, he continues to refine his voice within the jazz tradition while keeping a fearless, exploratory edge.

Each week features a completely different lineup and a fresh slice of improvised Melbourne mayhem in the communal spirit of workshopping number diamonds, original improvised music and exploring the standard repertoire.

Wed 06 May - Badger on the Paddock | Feat. Tom Fryer, Julian Banks, Nick Delaney, Arron Light

Wed 13 May - CNL | Feat. Toby Barrett, Charlie Rank, Paul Whitwood, Chris Pappas

Wed 20 May - Rabid Hawk | Feat. Julien Wilson, Craig Fermanis

Wed 27 May - Rabid Hawk | Feat. Julien Wilson & James Sherlock

Kyle Chenoweth is a Melbourne-based Jazz Trombonist and bandleader known for his “musical maturity beyond his years containing a pleasing mix of poise, pacing, flow, flair and fire” – Paul Williamson. A regular presence on Melbourne’s jazz scene, he leads a fresh quintet that blends classic repertoire with their contemporary edge.

Following the release of their debut album in 2025, the band is now bringing some new music as well as a mix of their favourite standards from the American Songbook and beyond, inspired by the likes of Walter Smith III and Immanuel Wilkins.

Kyle Chenoweth - Trombone 

Oscar Bruten - Tenor Saxophone 

Miles Farnan - Drums 

Miro Lauritz - Piano 

Jack Smythe - Double Bass