EDITORIAL: Last Sunday saw an inexplicably modest audience come out to hear the Stephen Byth Octet. Even allowing for some residual COVID-19 hesitancy among older patrons, this was a particularly surprising result to me because this group had produced a truly stunning concert in January last year. In addition, the eight members of the band included three National Jazz Award winners and two runner-ups (plus numerous finalists). One of the real rewards of my role is witnessing the continued development of some players. It is just over four years now since the 2017 National Jazz Brass Awards, in which trombonist James Macaulay won, with trumpeter Niran Dasika as runner-up, and another young trumpeter Tom Avgenicos in third place. On Sunday week, you can compare the development of both Dasika and Avgenicos (although in quite different contexts - solo, and group).
With the Byth Octet, Dasika certainly displayed a very impressive technical facility, combined with a flow of interesting ideas and rhythmic agility. Alto saxophonist Bernard Alexander, who moved to Melbourne from Adelaide, replaced Josh Kelly from the 2021 line-up. I had not heard him really stretch out for some time, and his solos certainly included more adventurous lines than I had heard previously from him, creating some bold statements. The other soloist whose development was apparent was pianist Kade Brown. A finalist in the recent National Jazz Piano Awards, he had premiered a quintet for the MJC back in 2017 at Bennetts Lane, performing an all-original program, and displaying real potential. It could have been assumed that he would have continued to develop his "voice" as a bandleader since then, but he has instead been busy working in various contexts over these years. So it was wonderful to hear his recent development through solos and interactive accompaniment: understated, thoughtful and stimulating.
But, as in 2021, the most exciting solo of the evening was produced by the most experienced player, Julien Wilson, with an coruscating "sermon" on soprano sax.
The Octet appear again on March 27, before Byth heads back to New York. It's a chance to hear the next generation of impressive soloists. Speaking of emerging talents, it was pleasing to hear Gerry Koster feature the concert recording of the Max Teakle Trio (from their MJC gig on November 21) on his show on 3PBS-FM. It can also be heard on the PBS website
(details below).
And this Sunday it will be interesting to hear promising young guitarist Tom Stewart-Tonna in his first MJC performance, as well a rare MJC appearances by Andrew Saragossi (tenor saxophone) and Cheryl Durongpisitkul (alto saxophone) as members of Stephen Hornby's new group. The Australian Jazz 'Bell' Awards have not quite finalised the date for their Awards night, but it should be the end of March at Bird's Basement. ▪ Martin Jackson
Pictured: Tom Avgenicos | Sunday, February 27, 7.30 pm, at The Jazzlab, 27 Leslie Street, Brunswick. $25/$18 con. (((F:rst Sunn))) is a quintet formed by double bassist/composer Stephen Hornby, featuring Andrew Saragossi (tenor saxophone), Cheryl Durongpisitkul (alto saxophone), Tom Stewart-Tonna (guitar) and Phil Collings (drums). After many years of co-leading and composing for collaborative projects such as ‘Bat Country’ and ‘Koi Kingdom’, Stephen has written a brand-new collection of original compositions tailored to this super group of his design. You can expect to hear folkloric contrapuntal melodies, meandering harmonies, gentle and not-so-gentle rock grooves with hints of contemporary classical composition, and a splash of humour. The collective ethos of Stephen’s collaboratively projects has been upheld, ensuring that each member is offered the space to express their own unique artistry. | Sunday, March 5, 7.30 pm, at The Jazzlab, 27 Leslie Street, Brunswick. $25/$18 con. This concert features the two young trumpet tyros who placed 2nd and 3rd in the 2017 National Jazz Brass Awards: Niran Dasika (in a solo project with electronics), and Tom Avgenicos with his Sydney group, Delay 45. Led by Avgenicos, and featuring close collaborators Roshan Kumarage (piano), Dave Quinn (bass) and Ashley Stoneham (drums), Delay 45 play songs and connect them together through improvisation. The result is a fluid exchange between structure and spontaneity, creating an immersive listening experience that traverses various moods, colours and textures. Delay 45’s sound is built upon a deep understanding of each other's playing that stretches back as far as high school. Their shared history is evident in the way the players seamlessly respond, building on one another’s musical cues and ideas. Following their debut release, Big Ears, this performance will be launching their sophomore album, Flux (on Earshift). "a bold new chapter in Australian jazz". – (Sydney Morning Herald) | 2021 AUSTRALIAN JAZZ "BELL" AWARDS - Awards Night Planned for late March The winners and inductees in the 2021 Australian Jazz "Bell" Awards will be announced at a Gala Awards Night, to be staged at Bird's Basement in late March.
There will winners in 6 categories, together with a Hall of Fame inductee.
Tickets are expected to be $75 for a 3-course dinner, with bookings via the Bird's Basement website (once the date is confirmed). Finalists came from Brisbane, Perth, and Tasmania (as well as Sydney and Melbourne), and include several first-time “Bell” finalists. The Awards are delighted to announce that Sydney bassist Zoe Hauptmann has joined the Judging Panel. She is well-known for her roles as Artistic Director of S.I.M.A. and the Sydney Women's International Jazz Festival, as well as the 2017-2020 Wangaratta Festivals. | Review of Stephen Byth Octet in The Age Jessica Nicholas reviewed the MJC's presentation of the Stephen Byth Octet at The Jazzlab on March 20. It appeared in The Age on Wednesday, March 23, as well as online here | Mirko Guerrini's JAZZ TRANSCRIPTION CLINIC: No. 8, Lester Young Lester Young is the grandfather of all saxophone players. There is still so much to explore and so much to learn from him.
On this Jazz Transcription Clinic Episode, I transcribe (and analyze) the melody of the tune Tea for Two played by Lester.
His ability to deliver a simple melody, remaining basically close to the original melody, but adding tons of swing and coolness are here well represented.
I also explain to the Transcribers Newbies what are some good strategies to speed up the transcribing process.
As usual, please subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
You can download this podcast episode, or any other episode here:
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Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/.../8b6f521bg | "SHARNY RUSSELL‘S PIANO METHOD FOR JAZZ SINGERS" Queensland vocalist and pianist Sharny Russell has produced a book comprising a 16 unit course to develop piano accompaniment for jazz vocalists. It includes 3 CD and a USB, as well as a link to video tutorials. The CDs provide 230 minutes of 77 Play-Along Audio Tracks, with 2 key options and 2 tempo options for each song. Published by Treasury House Music, it was released for sale at $129, but is currently on sale for $99 at Russell's website. Visit here | "WANGARATTA FESTIVAL OF JAZZ & BLUES: 30 Years" Launch on March 10 'Wangaratta Festival Of Jazz : 30 Years', the book co-written by Adrian Jackson with Andra Jackson, will be launched at Readings, Shop 1-016, 287 Lonsdale Street, on March 10. It is free to attend the Launch, but you need to register here.
Order the book ($66, + $10.95 postage and handling - or the digital flipbook option at $25) via www.melbournebooks.com.au. Please advise when ordering if you would like your copy signed by Andra and/or Adrian.
It can also be purchased at Readings and selected book stores. | MJC RECORDINGS on 3PBS-FM in 2022 On November 21 the MJC gig of the Max Teakle Trio, led by an impressive emerging talent, was recorded by Myles Mumford for the MJC, and was be broadcast on Gerry Koster's "Dizzy Atmosphere" show on 3PBS-FM on Sunday, February 20, 8 pm. It can also be heard on the PBS website. | Sunday, March 27, 7.30 pm, at The Jazzlab, 27 Leslie Street, Brunswick. $30/$25 con. Before returning to the USA, expatriate saxophonist and composer Stephen Byth reprises his Octet performance of material from his acclaimed album, ‘Reparations’ (as well as some new work). For this performance he reconvenes that personnel with Niran Dasika (trumpet), Bernard Alexander (alto saxophone), Stephen Byth (tenor), James Macaulay (trombone), Julien Wilson (clarinet and bass clarinet), Kade Brown (piano), Sam Anning (double bass) and, from Adelaide, Angus Mason (drums). Watch https://youtu.be/d7N8P3B8faM | Phil Slater & Matt McMahon's BACKGROUND MUSIC (Sydney) Friday, April 29, 8 pm. $31/$25 + b/f Primrose Potter Salon, MRC The Sydney pair of trumpeter Phil Slater and pianist Matt McMahon have had a long-running musical relationship (most notably in Band of Five Names). They will perform their originals and interpretations of non-originals in their duo project, "Background Music", in a very rare Melbourne visit (co-presented by the MJC with the MRC). Bookings here (or at their Box Office). | Australian Albums Tim Nikolsky of The Australian Jazz Real Book Project has compiled an extensive list of Australian jazz artists on Bandcamp here SHANNON BARNETT QUARTET: Bad Lover (Toy Piano Records – TPR202104) Expatriate trombonist Shannon Burnett recently released the second album by her German quartet, featuring Stefan Karl Schmid (tenor saxophone), Pablo (piano) and David Helm (double bass). There are 7 originals compositions by Barnett. It is released on the German label, Toy Piano Records, founded by pianist/composer Florian Ross. Visit their websitehere, or purchase from Barnett's website here | DELAY 45: Flux (Earshift EAR 054) Delay 45 is a Sydney-based modern jazz group led by award-winning trumpeter Tom Avgenicos, and featuring close collaborators Roshan Kumarage (piano), Dave Quinn (bass) and Ashley Stoneham (drums). Following their debut release, Big Ears - acclaimed as "a bold new chapter in Australian jazz" (Sydney Morning Herald) - they have released their second album, Flux. Featuring all-originals by Avgenicos, it explores notions of flow, movement and shape, ideas that have been developed over a number of years.
Buy on Bandcamp here | MJC@40: 1987-1990 As outlined in the last eNews, there first 3 years of the MJC was very successfully based on monthly concerts at The Glasshouse Theatre. However, in 1985 the MJC reluctantly moved its May concert to the Chez Jazz venue because of budgetary considerations (Australia Council funding had increased for $3,000 to $3,500 for 1985, but this did not seem to be enough to cover increased rental costs). As it happened, the audience was modest, Chez Jazz closed almost immediately, and the MJC returned to The Glasshouse for the remainder of 1985, but lost that vital continuity with a significant portion of its audience. In 1986 the Glasshouse was utilised for 3 concerts only, with other gigs at 3 different club venues. In 1987 the MJC received State funding for the first time (albeit a modest $1000), with AC increased significantly to $7,630. This enabled the MJC to be more ambitious with a concert at Melba Hall, 4 at The Glasshouse, and 7 club gigs).
Over 1988 to 1990 the MJC staged monthly Sunday afternoon concerts out at Doncaster Art Gallery for a, which enabled the presentation of interstate artists at a club gig too (supporting both artists and new venues).
1987 SERIES: 12 Monthly Concerts (4 at R.M.I.T. Glasshouse + 1 Melba Hall + 3 CUB Club + 2 Tankerville Arms + 2 Limerick Arms) + “A-Live Jazz” Festival (2 days at Hot House & CUB Club)
ARTISTS: Lloyd McNeil (New York) with Mike Nock; Peter O’Mara (Germany); Mike Nock Trio with Joe LaBarbera (USA); John Sangster (Sydney); Brian Brown Quintet; “Musiikki Oy”; Mike Nock, solo (Sydney); Jeff Pressing & Simone deHann; “Schmoe” (Adelaide); Bob Bertles & Paul McNamara (Sydney); Alan Lee Quintet; “The Jextet”; Chris Abrahams (Sydney); Peter Harper Quartet; Jeff Usher (Brisbane); “The Necks” (Sydney); Bernie McGann Quartet (Sydney); “The Wizards of Oz” (Sydney/Melbourne); Onaje
1988 SERIES: Monthly Concerts at Doncaster Art Gallery (1 at R.M.I.T. Glasshouse + 2 Limerick Arms + 4 The Troubadour + Church of Christ + 8 Doncaster Art Gallery ) + “A-Live Jazz” Festival (2 days at Hot House & Tankerville Arms)
ARTISTS: Stan Tracey & Don Weller (U.K.); Mark Fitzgibbon (U.K.); John Sangster, Judy Bailey & Ed Gaston (Sydney); Mike Nock (Sydney); Wizards of Oz (Sydney/Melbourne); Young Australian Jazz Ambassadors; Serge Ermoll & Dave Ades (Sydney); “Schmoe” (Adelaide); Ken Schroder Quintet; Ted Vining Trio; Musiikki Oy and Orchestra; Ian Wallace, a.o.
RECORDINGS: Live tracks by the Serge Ermoll Quartet (with Dave Ades, Geoff Kluke and Mike Jordan) from the Hot House in January 1988 are featured on the LP “Passion Dance” (Larrikin Records LRJ228).
1989 SERIES: Monthly Concerts at Doncaster Art Gallery + (2 Troubadour + 5 Limerick Arms) + “A-Live Jazz” Festival (2 days at Tankerville Arms + Limerick Arms)
ARTISTS: Peter O’Mara (West Germany); Ten Part Invention (Sydney); John Sangster (Sydney); Mike Nock with Fiona Undy (Sydney); Bernie McGann Trio with Andy Brown (Sydney); Keith Hounslow & Grahame Conlon (Sydney); Bob Gebert, Mark Simmonds & Miroslav Bukovsky (Sydney); Nuvo Quintet, a.o.
1990 SERIES: Monthly Concerts at Doncaster Art Gallery (I.D.’s + Dr. Jazz + 1 Melba Hall + 3 The Troubadour + 3 Limerick Arms) + “A-Live Jazz” Festival (2 days at The Troubadour + Limerick Arms)
ARTISTS: Jane Bunnett Trio (Canada); Markus Plattner Trio (Switzerland); Bob Gullotti (USA); Mike Nock (Sydney) & Mickey Tucker with String Quartet; “The Necks” (Sydney); Young Australian Jazz Ambassadors; Mike Nock (Sydney); Keith Hounslow Trio (Sydney); Ted Nettelbeck (Adelaide); Onaje; Lisa Young Trio; Brian Brown-Tony Gould; Browne-Costello-Grabowsky; Oy + 5; Sugg & Vance; Nuvo Quintet; Jump Monk, a.o. | M.J.C. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP: SUPPORT THE CO-OP & LIVE MUSIC IN MELBOURNE in 2022 MJC Associate Membership for 2022 is available in three tiers: Gold level is $75; Silver level is $30 ($20 concessions), and Bronze level is $10 for musicians. Associate Membership of the MJC costs just $75 for Gold Membership. When you sign up for Gold Membership you receive a free pass to one MJC Club performance by a Victorian ensemble and concession rates to all gigs all year, equating to large savings for frequent MJC audience members.
Silver membership costs $30 (or $20 for concession holders, $5 for Tertiary students). Silver members also receive one free pass to an MJC Club performance by a Victorian ensemble, as well as standard member benefits.
Musicians are encouraged to join at the special Bronze rate of only $10 per year and support the continued operations of the MJC, an organisation that supports them!
All members receive enewsletters and hard-copy or emailed brochures, and occasional discounts to sister businesses, or opportunities to win a range of giveaways (CDs, tickets and more) throughout the year.
For more information, email [melbournejazzcooperative@gmail.com] or visit our website for the easy, revamped Membership page here. | Do you have a gig coming up or a new album out? We would love to do a CD or ticket giveaway for you! email mjac@netspace.net.au or melbournejazzcooperative@gmail.com www.mjc.org.au | Founding Artistic Patron: the late Brian Brown, OA Artistic Patrons: Mike Nock, ONZM & Professor Tony Gould, OA MJC Chairperson: Eugene Ball | The MJC Program is being financially supported in 2022 by the Victorian Government, through Creative Victoria, together with the Australian Government through the Australia Council, the Federal Government's funding body, also providing funding from mid-2021-mid-2022. Vorticity Music has become a Patron Supporter of our Live Recording Project with 3PBS-FM | |
