Local musos jazz up Samford cafe

There’s a new item on the menu at one Samford cafe – monthly jazz nights.

Following two tough years due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Cafe Lagarto have now introduced Saturday night jazz events to provide a space for people to enjoy a night out on the town.

Owner Natalie Ross said the idea first came to her a few years ago, but when COVID arrived she had to put her plans on hold.

“I always had the idea for a jazz night because I knew when the cafe was busy and when it wasn’t, so I wanted to create a nice atmosphere for people to come out and enjoy some music,” she said.

“I imagined people sitting on the lawn, listening to some jazz and having a glass of wine.

“Then COVID happened, and I put that idea on hold because then all my attention was on trying to make sure the business survived.

“We did survive – it wasn’t easy, but we got through it.”

The cafe now hosts Saturday Night Jazz events on the last Saturday of each month, featuring two well-known jazz artists and their trios - Danny Mose and Leena Salim. 

“I have always loved jazz music because when I was growing up my mum would always play Satchmo records,” Natalie said.

“Jazz is such a relaxing and sensual sound.

“If you love jazz too, come down, kick back, or dance – whatever you want to do – because life is too short.”

This weekend’s jazz night will be the third time this event has been held.

On the night, the cafe serves up gourmet platters and they also have a special cocktails menu.

Tickets to the jazz nights are $15 per person, excluding platters or drinks.

The live entertainment runs from 6.30-9.30pm.

Cafe Lagarto is located in the Lifestyle Centre in Samford Valley, 225 Mt Glorious Rd, Samford Valley.

For more information, follow Cafe Lagarto on Facebook.

Meet jazz musician Danny Mose

For Woody point artist Danny Mose, music and singing runs deep in his veins.

“I was brought up in a very musical family. My mother was a piano teacher and my dad was a musician,” he said.

“And because my family were very religious, they got me into choir when I was young which helped train my voice.

“A lot of my cousins are also into RnB, Hip Hop and Jazz, which I have merged into what I like to play on my guitar.

“The music I play is pop jazz but with more soul. People really like it because it’s a blend of different music and people can really appreciate that.”

Danny has been performing for more than 20 years, choosing to play at local cafes, restaurants and pubs around the peninsula, as well as other suburbs of Moreton Bay.

He has been a regular musician at Cafe Lagarto for the past five years.

“I was playing there on Sunday mornings when people go in for brunch,” Danny said.

“But when Natalie came up with this idea for a jazz night, I thought it was an excellent idea.

“The first night was pretty full, and it had a completely different atmosphere from Sunday morning.

“It was really relaxing and an excellent night out.”