Jazz pianist and Richmond identity Steve Sedergreen imbibed the spirit of jazz from an early age. His father, Bob Sedergreen, also a pianist, is one of Australia's pre-eminent jazz musicians, who has played, toured and recorded extensively over the decades. "Steve and his brother and sister grew up going to gigs in their pajamas, bassinets under grand pianos, music in the car," Steve's wife and publicist, Chris Sedergreen says. His brother, Mal, became a saxophonist. The brothers were inducted into the industry at a time when there were plenty of gigs around and musicians could learn on the job. Steve and Chris met at a gig in 1997. "I was with a friend who knew him and introduced me," Chris says. "We just started chatting and that was it," Steve adds. Three years later they were married at the Swan St jazz club they had established. Ensconced in the picturesque Federation-era building that now houses The Posty, Dizzy's was a landmark on the Melbourne jazz scene from 1999 to 2006. Steve, one of three partners in the business, curated the music there, while Chris, who had a career in advertising sales, handled publicity. The times had changed for live music and a lack of gigs for young players was one reason to set the place up. Dizzy's jam sessions, in particular, became something of an institution, providing the forum for many up-and-coming players to hone their craft and connect with like-minded musicians. Notably, among them were Harry James Angus and Felix Riebl, whose first group, Jazz Cat, would evolve into wildly successful fusion band The Cat Empire. Also cutting his teeth there was a young Axle Whitehead, who Steve had first met at the Victorian College of the Arts, where he was filling in as a teacher. The pair became friends and often played together. "You can only learn through playing, it's performance-based," Steve says. Steve and Chris made a good team at Dizzy's. "It's something we loved doing," Steve says. "I love curating and Chris has got a natural gift for publicity. "We love the music, we love supporting people and we're enthusiastic, so it was cool." But in 2006 when a new landlord hiked the rent beyond reach, closing the club was "basically an easy decision". "We were young parents by then so we decided to put our energy into our beautiful boy," Steve says. In the decade and a half since, the pianist has had a career teaching music, and like his father, is said to be an inspiring educator. "I'm very lucky, I just love sharing what I do with others," he says. As well as teaching at Blackburn High, Monash University and the VCA, he has private students. And there is a glimmer of the old Dizzy's days in the weekly group classes and occasional open jams he runs at the Central Club Hotel. Steve has also continued his jazz career, playing - with musicians James Clark and Andrew Swann - as the Steve Sedergreen Trio, often at Bird's Basement. The trio recently played a sold-out gig at Bird's with Axle Whitehead appearing as a guest. Next month, on July 1, the roles will be reversed, with Steve appearing as part of Axle's gig. The musicians promise an eclectic mix of styles and material, from Vince Jones and Kurt Elling to Amy Winehouse and Jeff Buckley, with a few originals also thrown in.
