THE BIG JAM AT FED SQUARE It could have turned out a colossal disaster, filling the city with the sounds of amateur musicians trying to be instant jazz musicians. In fact it was heaps of fun, with James Morrison walking through the packed Fed Square and on to the stage to join the team guiding the jam session. I took spoons and my trumpet, which … Continue reading MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL — DAY 1
Barney McAll on keyboards, Gian Slater vocals, Chris Hale on electric bass, Ben Vanderwal on drums, Dan West on laptop, toys, electronics, Nir Felder (New York) on guitar This was quite different from what I’d expected from the notes promising experiments in relationships “between silence and non-silence, beauty and its opposites … pristine acoustics and botched, ‘confused robot’ electronics”. Barney explained the set would explore … Continue reading WANGARATTA JAZZ 09 — BARNEY McALL & SYLENT RUNNING
Cover image to come (Independent) CAM McAllister (trumpet and flugelhorn) believes composition comes more naturally to him than playing. His debut album, which he says is “not about lengthy improvisation”, has an orchestrated feel. Carefully crafted compositions balance the talents of Dave Rex (alto sax), Mark Fitzgibbon (piano), Tamara Murphy (acoustic bass) and Ben Vanderwal (drums), with Jordan Murray as guest trombonist on three tracks. … Continue reading Libran Balance — Cam McAllister Quintet
