One Thursday every month the small bar upstairs at Smith’s Alternative becomes a cosy jazz hang. Audience members and musicians alike share conversation, vintage vinyl spins on the turntable and, of course, there is live music. To call it a quiet revolution would probably be to overstate it. However, since the Byways residency began in early 2026, Ben Marston (trumpet), Nick McBride (drums) and Chris Pound (bass) have been gently adding an exciting new direction to live jazz in Canberra, with help from their monthly guests.

The name Byways comes from the musicians’ desire to explore lesser-known music from the jazz canon - taking the path less travelled, but in a way that is inclusive and welcomes the audience to share the exploration. Those who come along agree that they are joining the discovery to find that musicians and the audience alike are an important part of the music. Sometimes it seems as though jazz can have a bit of an image problem in Australia. People avoid it, unsure what to do. They ask… When should I clap? Is it permitted to talk? What if I don’t get it? But at this gig, you can watch, observe, laugh, and ask questions or banter with the band as the boundaries disperse. Any notion of not fitting in is immediately assuaged by their infectious enthusiasm.

At Byways, the evenings start with Ben and Nick excitedly playing this month’s vinyl selection on the turntable, happily talking to anyone who wants to chat about these recordings. Once Ben and Nick have been convinced away from the turntable the trio plays the first set, exploring works ranging from Miles Davis, Don Cherry, Ornette Coleman to originals. After more vinyl in the break, Set Two showcases that month’s guest. So far this year, a veritable who’s who of Canberra Jazz has featured: Lachlan Coventry, Chris Thwaite, Danny Junor, Damian Slingsby and Rachael Thoms.

As spring begins to break through, the upcoming guests should tempt even the mildest of jazz fans. September 17 features tenor saxophone heavyweight Con Campbell. October 8 sees recent Canberran and pianist Sophie Min on the Smith’s upright. The last Byways of the year November 12 will have guitar maestro and jazz harmony guru Mike Price. Thursday evenings never looked so good.

Con Campbell

He “plays the tenor saxophone with a robust tone and technical assurance, in an energized style which looks back to Lockjaw Davis while showing some more contemporary influences…” — John Clare, The Sydney Morning Herald

Con Campbell is “a young player and composer of great originality and energy who is musically mature beyond his years. There are many young players who have good technical facility… but it is much harder to find one who has a unique voice at this stage… Con has both in abundance.” — James Morrison, Jazz multi-instrumentalist & virtuoso