STONNINGTON JAZZ 2010 — DAY 8

TEN PART INVENTION at Chapel Off Chapel

Bertles, Robson, Evans, James

It was fantastic to have this Sydney ensemble in Melbourne, though the band’s obvious enthusiasm at having come south was tempered a little by the absence of the bandleader, Bell Awards Hall of Fame member John Pochee, and by departure of saxophonist Ken James, who has settled in Hamilton, Victoria. It is to be hoped Pochee recovers quickly and can make it next time Ten Part Invention returns to Melbourne — which must be soon. James is expected to be able to play with the band occasionally, but was given a send-off during the Chapel Off Chapel gig.

Filling in at very short notice on drums — he is making a habit of it — was Ronny Ferella, with virtually no rehearsal and without having played with the band previously. He did not have stories to tell, as Pochee likes to do, but he did a great job.

The line-up on the night was Paul McNamara on piano, Steve Elphick on bass, Warwick Alder and Miroslav Bukovsky on horns, James Greening on trombone, Bob Bertles on baritone sax, Sandy Evans on tenor sax, Ken James on soprano and tenor sax, Andrew Robson on alto sax and Ronny Ferella on drums.

Again, time is hampering my ability to add a review of the gig at this stage. Suffice to say it was exhilarating. The musicians seemed to be having a lot of fun and this came through to the audience, which disappointingly was not as large as expected given Ten Part Invention plays in Melbourne so rarely. We do seem to have a habit of not turning out in large numbers when a bunch of talented Sydney musicians come to town, but you’d expect this band to be well known.

For now, here are some images. In time I will add a few words about the concert.

Ferella and Greening

Robson, Evans, James

Greening and James

Greening, Bukovsky and James

Robson, Elphick and Evans

Evans, Ferella, James and Greening

Bertles, Robson, Evans and James

Greening, Bukovsky and Alder