Rotarian Jazz Fellowship

PICTURED: District 9790 Governor Stephen O’Connell OAM says being part of the Rotarian Jazz Fellowship blends his love of music with Rotary’s commitment to service.

By Anne Matthews
D9560 Passport Rotary Club

The Rotarian Jazz Fellowship (RotaryJazz) brings together jazz-loving Rotarians and musicians from all over the world. Founded in Germany in 2010 as a joint venture with Rotary clubs in the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland, this fellowship recognises the global impact of jazz music.
After a thorough accreditation process, RotaryJazz received the seal of approval by Rotary International in June 2012 and is listed in the official Rotary Fellowships Directory.

RotaryJazz is a musical network of socially committed individuals. Their aim is to raise awareness of jazz and initiate and promote social music projects. They see themselves as mediators and door openers when it comes to giving young talent a platform.

They consider themselves a service provider for Rotary districts and clubs, supporting their health and education initiatives as well as projects to combat poverty through their performances.

District 9790 Governor Stephen O’Connell OAM is a member of the fellowship. Readers of RDU and attendees at the Melbourne RI Convention in 2023 will remember Stephen from his performance of ‘All Shoulders to the Wheel’, for which Stephen wrote the music and Lachlan McIntyre the lyrics.

Being part of the Rotarian Jazz Fellowship is a natural fit for me – it blends my love of music with Rotary’s commitment to service,” says Stephen.

“Music has the power to connect people across cultures and generations, and jazz in particular has a spirit of freedom and collaboration that reflects the best of Rotary. It’s an honour to contribute through performance and help amplify Rotary’s impact through the universal language of music.”

Stephen has been a professional musician and composer for more than 35 years. He has performed his own compositions, as a featured soloist, with full symphony orchestras, bands and other groups in Australia and overseas. Stephen played the saxophone at the Zone 8 Conference Gala Dinner in Canberra in 2022.

John Seal from the Rotary Club of Greater Geelong, Vic, is also a member of the RotaryJazz. John says he is a percussionist first and foremost, but he is also a drummer. However, his real passion is playing a Vibraphone.

For more information, visit rotaryjazz.com/about-rotaryjazz