FORUM ON IDENTITY AT THE WHEELER CENTRE Paul Grabowsky was the consummate moderator for this discussion, which had in the panel Charles Lloyd, Martin Jackson, Theo Bleckmann and, at late notice, Gian Slater. It was a great success and I understand it was recorded for broadcast on the ABC. They covered a lot of ground, starting with how jazz is defined, how the local scene … Continue reading MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL — DAY 6
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
Cover image to come (Independent) AT the Yarra Edge Theatre launch of Yma Jam Yma, Gideon Brazil (saxophones, flute) effusively thanked ensemble members for giving his compositions life. The Natives, including Shannon Barnett on trombone, Tamara Murphy on double bass and Ronny Ferella on drums, did so without fuss or flourish, demonstrating the cohesion of five years as a sextet. The album is equally restrained, … Continue reading Yma Jam Yma — The Natives
