JAZZ legend James Morrison has a grand vision for Mount Gambier – to make it the jazz capital of Australia.
The plan hit a high note with the opening of the James Morrison Academy of Music in late February – a huge coup for the city.
And the jazz scene is growing with a number of the academy's students having regular gigs at local cafes and other venues.
In the school's first intake there are nearly 50 aspiring young musicians from across Australia – including four locals – studying a diploma or advanced diploma.
Numbers are expected to grow in 2016 with the academy – which has partnered with the University of SA – also offering a three-year bachelor degree.
The academy's program administrator Emma-June Curik says the multi-instrumentalist and his wife Judi have long held an ambition to open a jazz academy somewhere in regional Australia.
Many would expect it to be in one of the major metropolitan cities but she says they wanted the students to feel part of a community and be immersed in their music.
"There was a sense there are less distractions here than the city where so much is going on with family and other things," Ms Curik said. "Here the students can really focus on their music like being at band camp all the time."
"He (James) always says he wants the students to have more time to do what they are doing rather than getting where they have to go."
Mount Gambier has a long association with jazz, hosting the hugely successful Generations in Jazz festival each May – the largest event of its kind in Australia.
The Morrisons have been heavily involved in the festival throughout its 25-year history and present the major prize, the James Morrison Jazz Scholarship.
In 2014 their two sons attended the Generations in Jazz Academy – a special Year 13 course formerly offered at Tenison Woods College in Mount Gambier.
These factors influenced the Morrisons' final decision, along with long-time friend, musician and promoter Dale Cleves, and the support of the Mount Gambier City Council.
Ms Curik is thrilled how the people of Mount Gambier have welcomed the students with open arms.
"There were so many offers of houses when we were looking at accommodation and whenever I am walking down the street or grabbing a coffee in a cafe people are always asking me how the students are going," she said.
