CJF25: A Love Asunder in the Jazz Lounge

A Love Asunder (Louise Denson and Elly Hoyt) @ CLARENCE JAZZ FESTIVAL 2025

award winning musicians Elly Hoyt (vox) and Louise Denson (piano) present new work for jazz sextet, exploring the poignant love story of convicts Alice and John McKinlay. Featuring an all star lineup of local jazz legends including Spike Mason (sax), Charlie McCarthy (violin), Tom Robb (dr) and Hamish Houston (bass).

These songs reflect the musical backgrounds of Louise and Elly, blending Irish and folk music with their shared love of genre-bending jazz.

This is the story of Alice and John McKinlay, a young Irish couple who struggled and despaired at the height of the potato famine. They stole two geese. John was convicted to seven years in Van Dieman’s Land, a new colony at the end of the world. His wife Alice was exonerated due to having committed no prior offences. But facing a life without her husband, as a single mother of two infant children, Alice decided to take a chance on fate. Two weeks later she was back in jail, again charged with theft, and sentenced to serve in Van Diemen’s Land.

Alice and their children were shipped out first. On arrival, the children, Mary Ann and James Patrick, were placed in an orphanage. James died of dysentery shortly after. John languished a whole year in jail before he was transported. Remarkably, after serving their sentences and receiving their tickets of leave, Alice and John were reunited. They were able to start a new life, settling in the Kempton area of what is now known as Tasmania, and where their descendants are an active part of the community today.

This ensemble first came together in December 2023 for the launch weekend of the Richmond Bicentenary celebrations. The individual members have performed many times together in various combinations.

Each year we offer premium, ticketed gigs at the Clarence Jazz Festival Jazz Lounge @ Rosny Barn, where audiences can sink in and absorb truly world class musical offerings in an intimate, high-end setting.

PARTICULARS

• Saturday 22nd FEB 2025
• Rosny Barn @ the CJF Festival Hub, Lot 2 Rosny Hill Road, Rosny Park
• Doors @ 1.50pm for a 2pm-2.50pm show
• Concert only: $25 full | $20 concession / Concert + access to the Big Day @ Rosny Park $35 full |$25 concession
• NO BYO, delicious local bar and food available for purchase onsite

ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION

Wheelchair accessible venue, accessible bathroom, hearing augmentation device available on request (please indicate if you require a headset when checking out), companion card available, wayfinding signage available onsite, sensory friendly space available. For more information on accessibility call Rosny Farm on 6217 9624.

TICKET EXTRAS

Big Day @ the Park: Experience this fabulous show and get a special discount to enjoy the rest of our Big Day at the Rosny Farm (12 hours of live music, kids activities, local food and wine across 4 stages) by bundling your concert ticket and Big Day tickets! 

Clarence Tasting Hamper: Get ready to taste the best of Clarence! We've teamed up with the Coal River Valley Tasmania Tourism Association and CRAVE Harvest Festival to bring you a mouthwatering lineup of hyper-local food and drink. Enjoy amazing wines from the Coal River Valley paired with incredible Tasmanian produce from throughout the Clarence region - think cheeses, seafood and everything in between. Whether you're sipping, feasting or snacking we've got you covered with our Clarence Tasting Hamper.

Bundle your Concert ticket and hamper today to save at checkout, and visit our friendly staff at the main festival bar to pick up your hamper on the day!

The Clarence Tasting Hamper includes: A selection of 3 fine cheeses produced in the Coal Valley + locally produced crispbread and other mouthwatering morsels.