The jam session was previously hosted at Zoo Lake Bowling Club.
The sessions will take place every Wednesday night, after a set of original music by Mombelli on bass, Jonathan Crossley on guitar and Justin Badenhorst on drums.
Speaking on behalf of Mombelli, Heston Thomas said all styles of music would be welcome at the jam sessions – with the caveat that the sessions are not open mic or karaoke.
“This is the environment for musical exploration, a tolerant and open-minded environment to try old and new things,” he said.
“Bring your instrument, add your name and style preference to the evening’s jam session book, and be a part of the on-the-spot live music concert programme.”
Mombelli will create a concert line-up befitting the genres, from be-bop to folk music.
Thomas said that a sound system, an engineer and backline equipment would be provided.
He added that restaurateur Roman Slepica had joined the Bassline team, ensuring a menu of tasty light meals for those at the jam sessions.
Mombelli and the popular jazz club have walked a long road together, with the musician having graced the venue’s stages from Melville to Newtown.
During this time, the musician built up a good relationship with club owners Brad and Paige Holmes. Thomas said the owners were honoured to have the already-successful concept relocate from Zoo Lake to Newtown.
Mombelli began his professional playing career in jazz guitarist Johnny Fourie’s band.
In 1985 he started the group Abstractions, and developed and performed his original compositions at weekly gigs in downtown Johannesburg clubs like Jameson’s and Kippies, as well as a weekly midnight solo bass set at Berea’s The Black Sun.
He has since recorded and performed at festivals around the world, including the Rome International Villa Celimontana Jazz Festival, the Stockholm Jazz Festival, the Moers and the Leipziger Jazztage Festivals in Germany, and the Paris Banlieues Blueues Festival.
Mombelli teaches jazz studies and composition at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he received his doctorate in composition in 2009.
The Lab of Learning jam sessions take place every Wednesday night at The Bassline Jazz Club, 10 Henry Nxumalo Street, Newtown, from 8pm.
Details: 011-838-9142; www.bassline.co.za
