Category Archives: GIGS

Images of and thoughts about jazz gigs at Melbourne venues

Grand Sugg-estion

The cover of Andy Sugg’s latest album, designed by Alisa Tanaka-King.

The Andy Sugg Group, The Jazzlab, 4 May 2021
Doors 7pm Music 7.30pm $25 or $20 concession

Just bobbing up briefly from among the beehives and honey frames with a reminder that tonight The Jazzlab hosts The Andy Sugg Group playing compositions from Andy’s last three albums, which were recorded in New York.

Andy Sugg on tenor saxophone will be joined by Brett Williams on piano (who featured on Grand & Union along with Sugg, Alex Claffy on electric and acoustic bass and Jonathan Barber on drums), Danny Fischer on drums and Cuban bassist Yunior Terry, who also will be at The Jazzlab for Undercurrents on Tuesday 18 May.

Two previous albums by The Andy Sugg Group – a Melbourne-based quartet that explores post-Trane improvisation – Tenorness and Wednesdays at M’s—were also recorded in Brooklyn and feature Sean Wayland (piano/keys), Matt Clohesy (bass), Mark Whitfield Jnr and Nate Wood (drums).

Expect references also to Sugg’s Stravinsky Jazz Project, which draws on Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, in particular its radical approach to rhythm imagined for a primitive, prehistoric fertility ritual.

Roger Mitchell

A NEW GOULD LEAGUE

Dr Tony Gould and the honourable Scott Tinkler

Dr Tony Gould and the honourable Scott Tinkler

PREVIEW

Moreland City Phoenix Project, Saturday 12 December at 7.30pm, Cross Street Music Hall, 11-17 Cross St, East Brunswick

I don’t know who took the photograph above, but what a great shot of these esteemed gentlemen.

When I read the headline on the accompanying flyer — Handing over the baton concert — I jumped to the erroneous conclusion that Dr Tony Gould was to assume command of the band from the mercurial Scott Tinkler, exponent extraordinaire of trumpah.

Obviously I was wrong, because Gould is taking the patron’s baton after the death of that giant of Australian music, Peter Sculthorpe. And so the baton passes from one wonderful musician to another. Tinky, as the band leader is sometimes dubbed, will presumably stay at the helm.
So, after a hiatus of six months, the Moreland City Phoenix Project will rise again to perform in concert again on Saturday.
The “Handing Over the Baton” concert will open with Gould playing a Sculthorpe composition. That is surely reason enough to turn up. He will also perform with Tinkler.
The concert will also include compositions and arrangements by band member Cathy Connor (including an arrangement of a Bernie McGann piece) and  also a selection of new compositions by Jim Cuomo (also a band member), Sam Keevers, and Bob Sedergreen (arranged by Sonja Horbelt) and other composers.
Admission by donation.

ROGER MITCHELL

SINGING BY A THREAD

Olivia Chindamo

Olivia Chindamo                        (Image by Maclay Heriot)

PREVIEW:

Unwoven, performed by Movement 9 with vocals by Olivia Chindamo, special guest Carlo Barbaro and a string trio, Thursday 10 December and Friday 11 December at Paris Cat, tickets $25. Bookings essential.

Anyone familiar with Joe McEvily’s work as a composer and arranger will not want to miss the chance to catch one of these two concerts.

Award-winning vocalist Olivia Chindamo joins Movement 9 to play a suite of 14 new arrangements of songs by Joni Mitchell, Frank Ocean, Steely Dan, Esperanza Spalding, Mondo Rock, Allison Kraus, and more.

Word is that Unwoven “crosses genres to present a selection of well-loved and little-known songs, served with a shimmering blend of strings and horns”.

SHOW 1:
When: Thursday 10 December, 9-11pm
Where: Paris Cat Jazz Club (6 Goldie Pl, Melbourne 3000)
Tickets: $25 – http://bit.ly/1Yg4kIs

SHOW 2:
When: Friday 11 December, 7-9pm
Where: Paris Cat Jazz Club (6 Goldie Pl, Melbourne 3000)
Tickets: $25 – http://bit.ly/1SXA7Lv

Movement 9 has this year captivated audiences at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and White Night with original music and collaborations, including a dozen sold-out performances of its Amy Winehouse show We May Never Meet Again.

Line-up: Olivia Chindamo voice, Daniel Tsang violin, Megan Burslem viola, Natasha Trinkle cello, Carlo Barbaro tenor saxophone, Niran Dasika trumpet, Tom Sly trumpet, Joel Trigg piano, Jordan Tarento bass and James Milic drums.

Tom Sly with Movement 9 at Paris Cat

Tom Sly with Movement 9 at Paris Cat

Joe McEvily and Niran Dasika

Joe McEvily and Niran Dasika with Movement 9 at Paris Cat