THE BEAT OF SEX, DRUGS & SPIRITUALITY

REVIEW Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival, including 2013 APRA Composer Commission Concert, Sunday 5 May, 2-8pm at
 Northcote Town Hall The Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival runs on a shoestring, but that doesn’t prevent it running like clockwork. There was a little “bracket creep” during the afternoon, but generally performances started pretty much on time. So, when I arrived about 15 minutes late — mainly because I … Continue reading THE BEAT OF SEX, DRUGS & SPIRITUALITY

DON’T LET YOUR FRINGE DOWN

Preview: Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival, including 2013 APRA Composer Commission Concert, Sunday 5 May, 2-8pm at
 Northcote Town Hall Lovers of popular music, including fans of classical and opera, may regard many incarnations of jazz as being on “the fringe”. Purely in terms of bums on seats at concerts, that is probably a reasonable view. But anyone familiar with the improvised music on offer in … Continue reading DON’T LET YOUR FRINGE DOWN

WE DON’T SOUND LIKE CHARLIE PARKER

INTERVIEW The attraction of MAGNET lies in the collaboration of kindred spirits. As Roger Mitchell discovers, the quartet’s vocalist can play a right-handed drum kit the wrong way around, and its guitarist was dumped by text message during a recording session. More than one musician has likened improvisation to conversation, pointing out the ease with which we talk among friends, listening and speaking without planning … Continue reading WE DON’T SOUND LIKE CHARLIE PARKER