The Gold Coast City Jazz Club features many great talents. It’s easy to forget that these wonderful artists each have a story beyond the few hours they spend entertaining us. This month, Jake Muggleton is in the spotlight.  

From humble beginnings learning saxophone at 11 in Moree, Jake Muggleton now has a reputation as one of the Gold Coast’s most talented musicians. Playing Lead Alto in Rick Best’s Sweet Thunder Jazz Orchestra, Saxes in Motet Collective and guest appearances with numerous other well-known bands, this 25-year-old is definitely one to watch.

Jake, Can you tell us a little about your history in music? 

I started learning sax in Moree when I was in primary school and was extremely lucky to get a fantastic music teacher. A lot of our lessons were based around playing jazz music together, so I always saw music as a fun social thing instead of a chore to be worked on which I’m grateful for. I joined as many bands as I could in Moree including a brass band and a rock band. As a high school student, it was a fun experience playing local events in a rock band.

When I moved up to the Gold Coast for Uni, I managed to join the Gold Coast big band and was blown away as it was the first time I had seen a big band, let alone played in one. From there I’ve been lucky enough to play in a wide variety of bands including big bands, tribute bands, show bands, duos, originals bands, and rock bands. There was a point where I was gigging or rehearsing 6 days of the week, so I was (and still am) very addicted to playing music in bands! 

What has been the highlight of your career as a musician? 

I think one of gigs that are up there would be playing in Charlie Chan’s Supernova concert last year. It was a world record setting concert for being a continuous 24+ hr performance. I was in one of the big bands backing the performance for a few songs and it was super satisfying playing original music. It was exciting playing on a world record attempt as well. 

What’s coming up on the horizon for you?

Aside from gigs with the bands I’m in, I’m really looking forward to playing for some original music recordings. I think one of the most enjoyable ways of participating in music is recording someone’s original music. 

You play a broad range of styles; do you have a favourite?

I love soul/funk music but over the last year I’ve definitely developed an addiction to playing big band music. When it’s working well, it’s hard to beat the wall of sound that you get when that many horns play together! 

What is your favourite song to perform?

I love playing Mr Magic in an Amy Winehouse Tribute show I’m in. It might be a bit of a typical sax player response, but it’s an excuse to play loud and with a ton of energy! 

What advice do you have for a rookie player?

I think the best advice I have heard was that polished, musical playing should be much higher priority than technically complicated playing. A good tone with a good time feel and accurate intonation should be the main goal when making sound, then playing complicated licks, or trying out dissonant collections of notes, or going into crazy altissimo notes are a cool tool to use when it suits the music. I started getting a lot more gigs when I followed that advice haha. 

What do you like about performing at the GCCJC?

I’ve noticed that people at the GCCJC tend to be more responsive to jazz music than other places. It’s always engaging to play for audiences that are interested in jazz music and responsive to what the band is doing.