Chuck is a legend of the Sydney jazz scene.

It's his 80th birthday.  His last concert was at Colbourne Ave one year ago, the week of his 79th.  Unfortunately since then his shoulder has become so painful that he can't play any more.  So, to celebrate Chuck's birthday, and his contribution to the Sydney scene, we've invited some of Sydney's great pianists to perform in his honour, along with his long-time collaborator James Ryan:

Jex Saarelaht (flying up from Melbourne for the occasion)
Kevin Hunt
Adrian Keevil
Matt McMahon

Hopefully the man himself will show up.  

It's Chuck's 79th birthday this month.

And this week is the official renaming launch of The Glebe Justice Centre (formerly Glebe Cafe Church). 

Chuck was born in Bendigo, bounced around between Sydney and Melbourne during the 60s and 70s, studied in New York in the 80s, and washed up at the Bald Faced Stag in Leichhardt in 1994.  He's be taught by legends, and in turn he has taught legends ("I taught myself how to teach and I also taught myself by teaching").  These days his public performances are rare, and always in duet with James Ryan.

i discoverd this great interview with him on Australian Jazz : http://australianjazz.net/2012/06/chuck-yates-at-75-a-giant-of-australian-jazz/

The return of Chuck Yates, the legendary pianist who held down one of the longest residencies in recent memory - the thursday late-night jam at the Bald Faced Stag.  It nurtured some of Sydney's finest jazz talent and injected life, passion and love into the performance of bebop and the great American songbook.

Chuck Yates (Piano) and James Ryan (Saxophones/Woodwind) at Colbourne Ave.  Chuck had an injury last time they were scheduled to play, but he's better ow.

Chuck Yates became a Sydney institution after playing the late set every Thursday night for 14 years at the Bald Faced Stag in Petersham - he's a legend of Australian jazz. James Ryan is a virtuoso horn man of the highest order.

It's gonna be swingin', in the moment and unforgettable.