As part of the 'Intimate Nights' series at Hotel Blue, former Blue Mountaineer and a regular at Hotel Blue, Tim Bruer, will be bringing Brett Hirst and Trish Delaney-Brown for a special night in the Sisters Blue Restaurant.  

Tim Bruer:

Tim was born in Adelaide, and after a number of years of classical training, began playing jazz in the late 70’s. In 1980 he started his professional career and became involved in the local jazz scene, most notably as part of the group “Small Hours”, which played support gigs for Joe Henderson, Johnny Griffin and Freddie Hubbard. In 1982 he began his Bachelor of Music degree at Adelaide University where he studied with pianists Ted Nettelbeck and Bruce Hancock, and in 1985 he graduated with a major in jazz performance.

He then moved to Sydney where he became involved in both the jazz and R&B scenes, and has since played with musicians including James Morrison, Bernie McGann, Dale Barlow, Steve Hunter, Jackie Orzarsky, Hamish Stuart, Johnathon Zwartz, Pat Powell, Andrew Gander, Lloyd Swanton, Carl Orr, Elana Stone, and bands The Hippos, Bop Till U Drop, The Anthill Mob, and most recently, The Acca Daiquiris.

From 2002 he studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying extensively with Mike Nock, and looking in particular at the playing of Keith Jarrett. This resulted in him gaining his Masters of Music degree, and in 2007 he released his first album as leader, “The Tim Bruer Quartet”. The CD featured saxophonist Sean Coffin, bassist Brett Hirst, and drummer Simon Barker, playing a program of his own contemporary jazz compositions.

Career highlights to date include :
Finalist in the inaugural Wangaratta jazz award in 1990; performances at the Manly, Gold Coast, Cairns and Darling Harbour jazz festivals; appearances on many TV shows; arranger and pianist for Nielsen Gough; Musical Director/pianist for Delilah featured soloist on Max Sharam's top ten single "Be Firm"; recording in London with Gene Calderazzo; recording with Guy LeClaire, Jason Bruer, and The Acca Daiquiris. He has also accompanied musical theatre students at UWS, and jazz singing classes at Sydney Conservatorium.

His teaching experience includes 24 years of private piano teaching, 4 years of piano teaching at the Blue Mountains Conservatorium of Music, and 4 years as a director of Jazz ensembles and a lecturer in Improvisation at the University of Western Sydney.

Since starting at AIM in 2004, Tim has taught Piano (Contemporary), Keyboard Masterclass, Keyboard Skills, Contemporary Theory, Improvisation, Contemporary and Jazz Ensembles, Performance Studies, Songwriting, been a supervisor in the Post Graduate program, and worked as an accompanist for vocal masterclasses.

 Brett Hirst:

Brett Hirst completed his Diploma of jazz studies at the Christchurch School of Jazz with a double major in Performance and Arranging & Composition. During his time in New Zealand Brett was invited to perform with several American artists of international renown such as Mark Levine, Harvey Weinapel, Gordon Brisker and Bruce Paulson.

Since moving to Sydney in 1998 and completing a year of post graduate study at the Sydney conservatorium, Brett currently maintains a busy schedule as a member of the Sandy Evans Trio, the Vince Jones Band, the Mike Nock Trio and Big Band, Phil Slaters Very Interactive Band, the James Muller Quartet, Scott Tinklers Drub Nick McBrides Rectangle, Toaster, the Gerard Masters Trio, The Roger Manins Group, Heavy Weather, pop rock band Lior, Reuben Derrick Group and Sam Keevers Red Fish Blue.

Trish Brown-Delaney:

Trish (2004 ASA Songwriter of the Year / 2005 CARA Best Jazz Song Award winner / 2007 Australian Gospel Music Awards Best Jazz Fusion/Gospel Song and Best Gospel Lyric & shortlisted 2009 APRA Development Awards) has been singing professionally since late 1991 in a variety of musical genres as both a soloist and a backing vocalist in Australia and overseas. Trish has led vocal workshops and choirs; produced and promoted her own concerts; was a founding member and soprano of the internationally acclaimed a cappella quartet The Idea Of North; & is an award winning songwriter and arranger.

With formal training in both classical and jazz technique Trish is a versatile entertainer whose love of performance has led her into musical fields as diverse as musical theatre, cabaret, jazz ensembles and vocal groups. Her time with The Idea of North saw her traveling widely and often throughout Australia, the USA, Asia and Europe for concert performances, festivals, workshops and master classes. She is resident vocalist with Sydney big band the Sonic Mayhem Orchestra and continues to be in demand as both a lead and backing vocalist. Trish was named Songwriter of the Year by the Australian Songwriters Association (2003) ; was awarded ‘Best Jazz Song” in the 2005 CARA’s (USA); “Best jazz Fusion/Gospel Song” and “Best Gospel Lyric” in the 2007 Australian Gospel Music Awards as well as being shortlisted for Jazz Songwriting in the 2009 APRA Development Awards.

As part of her commitment to ongoing development Trish has also been privileged to study with Cheryl Bentyne (The Manhattan Transfer), Mark Murphy (USA), Lauren Kinhan, The New York Voices, Helen Tiller (Estill CMT/CCI-TP), Gene Puerling (Singers Unlimited), Connaitre Miller (Howard University USA), The Real Group (Sweden), and was awarded her certification for Master Teacher of the Estill Voice Model in 2013.

An Intimate Night @ Hotel Blue:

This will be an Intimate Night in the Sisters Blue Restaurant. It's a small room by typical music venue standards - don't expect big crowds! Think good food, good wine (and beer and cocktails of course) and great music! This is a casual night and a great opportunity to get up close with world-class musicians. Enjoy a two-course dinner with the show for $59 (refer to hotelblue.com.au for the menu) or see the show only for $25. Even if you book the show only (without the dinner), you will be seated at a table and a casual bar menu will be available on the night, so you can still order a meal or something to nibble on. And don't forget - if you're bringing some friends, just let us know so we can seat you together.

The Schedule:

Doors Open - 7:00pm

First Set - 7:30-8:15pm

Second Set - 8:45 - 9:30pm

Come along from 5:30 pm to enjoy pre-show entertainment in the lounge. Bruce Cale, one of Sydney’s Jazz legends, has been inviting prominent jazz musicians up the mountains to play in the Lounge at the Mountains’ own ‘House of Jazz’, Hotel Blue. This week the incredible Gary Daley will be performing with Bruce. Seating is limited so get in early. 5:30 – 7:30pm, Free event. Bar & Kitchen Open!  Hotel Blue, the Mountains’ own ‘House of Jazz’.

Special dietary requirements

The menu for the two-course dinner is a set menu. If you have any special dietary requirements, we will gladly make any necessary adjustments to your meal. Just remember to let us know the details of your special requirements when you make your booking as last minute changes may not be possible.

Terms & Conditions

1. Ticket purchases are non refundable in the event of cancellation, failure to attend or for any other reason.
2. Tickets may be transferred to another person. If you wish to transfer your ticket to another person, please contact admin@hotelblue.com.au to advise the name of the person who will be using your ticket.