When the lights dim at the Manly Pacific on Thursday, September 18, the room will fill with more than just the smooth sounds of jazz standards and swing-era classics. It will pulse with the memory of Andrew Speight – ARIA Award-winning saxophonist, beloved mentor, and creative force who left an indelible mark on Australia’s jazz scene – and Manly – before his tragic death by suicide in San Francisco two years ago.
The Jazz Lounge, taking place on the eve of Manly Jazz, brings together acclaimed international and local musicians for an evening that’s equal parts celebration and remembrance. But this isn’t just a concert – it’s a community coming together to transform grief into hope, with all proceeds supporting Lifeline Northern Beaches vital suicide prevention work.
Andrew died in 2022 in the US, where he had lived since the early 1990s. He took his own life near his home in San Francisco, on his way to work as a lecturer in jazz studies at the San Francisco State University. He and sister Caroline took over the artistic direction of the Manly festival after the 2007 passing of their dad, the veritable father of Manly Jazz, John Speight.
Caroline says her brother had struggled with mental health issues for many years.
“I think what people miss about Andrew is the friendship and the music,” she says. “There was none like him. He was such an inspiring and creative player. I miss him very much – many of us do. I find it hard to listen to his music or watch footage of him. Such a tragic loss for us and the jazz community, both here and overseas.”
She says she is looking forward to feeling the love and warmth in the room on Thursday night. “Plus, the music will be top notch!”
Singing and emceeing the night will be effervescent entertainer Monica Trapaga. Joining her will be other Manly festival-luminaries Todd Hardy on trumpet, Dan Barnett on trombone and vocals, former-peninsula singer and sax player Nic Jeffries, experienced pianist Peter Locke, and Andrew Dickeson on drums.
Also performing will be stunning vocalist and bassist Nicki Parrot. Nicki, originally from Newcastle, has a string of international gigs and local shows to her name, including a lengthy residency in New York with the late jazz guitar great Les Paul.
Dickeson performed with Andrew for many years and was a part of the ARIA-winning Andrew Speight Quartet album of 1999. He said at the time of his friend’s passing that Andrew was like a big brother, and that the Speight family had embraced and mentored him.
Lifeline Northern Beaches is the benefactor of The Jazz Lounge. CEO of the local arm of the organisation Sarah Grattan says every ticket sold directly funds local suicide prevention and crisis support services. “Caroline approached me with a view to honouring Andrew’s memory. “This has largely been her baby,” she says.
Moreover, Manly Pacific and Encore Event Technologies quickly jumped onboard to support this community event.
To buy tickets visit The Jazz Lounge
If you are experiencing distress please contact Lifeline 13 11 14.
Learn more about Manly Jazz here.
