CD LAUNCH: James Whiting Quartet launches Burbank at Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne on Sunday, July 8
James Whiting (picture supplied)
With support from the Melbourne Jazz Cooperative, Brisbane vibraphonist James Whiting will make his Melbourne debut as leader on Sunday, launching his first album, Burbank.
The venue seems entirely appropriate, because one of the tracks on the album is entitled In Megan’s Opinion, which could easily apply to Megan Evans, who in her role as MC has often shown her distaste for mobile phones at Bennetts Lane. If Meggs is at the gig, will she have something to say about the album or the quartet?
On this occasion Whiting will be performing originals with James Sherlock on guitar, Philip Rex on bass and Darryn Farrugia on drums, rather than the original line-up for the album, which was recorded in New York in 2010.
The recording featured American drummer and percussionist Jon Wikan and three expatriates living in New York: German saxophonist Stefan Schmid and the Australian pair of pianist Steve Newcomb and bassist Sam Anning.
Whiting, who has a Masters in Music, has toured Australia, New Zealand and the US extensively as a performer and educator, also receiving tuition from leading jazz vibraphonists such as Joe Locke, Ed Saindon, Dave Samuels and Stefon Harris.
Burbank, which has been described by Joe Locke as “creative, original, honest, and emotionally direct”, consists of eight original jazz-based songs from James, inspired also by fusion, classical, and rock genres. It was recorded in Bennett Studios in the US.
James will perform a selection of his originals as well as pieces selected from the repertoire of those who’ve inspired him.
Entry to Bennetts Lane Jazz Club for this launch costs $15 general admission and $10 concession.
Burbank will be available at the show for merely $10, or can be purchased on iTunes or through James Whiting’s website.
ROGER MITCHELL (with help from James and MJC)
Ausjazz Blog 