Review of Daniel Gassin Trio “Crossover” at All About Jazz
Hi everyone,
Just thought I’d share a very nice review that the trio’s second album “Crossover” received at All About Jazz:
Described as a “brilliant, lyrical young Melbourne pianist/composer,” Australian jazz pianist Daniel Gassin reveals but a glimpse of his talents on Crossover, as evidenced by the quality of his compositions and the elite caliber of his [...]
Aaron McCoullough’s “Elements” Quintet – New South Wales Tour 7-10 August; 2010
Hi guys,
Well last week I had the pleasure of playing sideman to my usual sideman – the very talented and depressingly young drummer Aaron McCoullough. We did a quick 3-gig tour through his home state of New South Wales.
The first gig was a concert at Aaron’s old stomping-ground the Woolongong Conservatorium of Music. The performance sounded great (recording to [...]
John Coltrane – 43rd anniversary broadcast & concert
Hi all,
Last Saturday was the 43rd anniversary of the passing of the great John Coltrane.
Andy Sugg, whose band I am a member of, put on a special concert to mark the occasion.
The day began with a live-to-air performance of two tunes for ABC Radio National featuring Andy, myself, Ben Robertson on bass, James McLean on [...]
Government funding received for the Sextet’s debut album!
Hi all,
Well I just recently found out that I have been granted funding from Arts Victoria to record the Sextet’s debut album!
Obviously I’m very grateful for the funding, which will be a massive boost – especially for the recording of a larger ensemble.
The grants were announced by the Premier, Mr John Brumby, last Friday.
To read [...]
Congrats to Kate-Kelsey Sugg
A big congrats to my depressingly young and multi-talented friend Kate Kelsey-Sugg, who just took out the 2010 Generations in Jazz Vocalist Scholarship Award. Not bad for a piano player!
Kate, if you’re reading this – you still owe me a beer for playing on your audition tape!
Review: Ahmad Jamal – 6 May 2010
On 6 May 2010 I had the pleasure of hearing Ahmad Jamal as part of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
I must say that I didn’t go to the gig with the highest of expectations. The latest album of Jamal’s that I’d heard, It’s Magic (GroovPool; 2007) was for me quite heavy-handed, and a overall seemed [...]
Review: Charles Lloyd New Quartet – 4 May 2010
So on 4 May 2010 I went to the Melbourne Recital Centre to hear the Charles Lloyd New Quartet, as part of the 2010 edition of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
Lloyd’s well-publicised spirituality when it comes to music was again a feature of his musical persona in this performance. Hearing him speak at the gig [...]
“Elbow Grease” – Adelaide Tour: April 16-20; 2010
I recently had the pleasure of doing 3 gigs in Adelaide with some good friends of mine (who are also really good musicians) – Pat Thiele (trumpet), Sam Zerna (double bass) and Aaron McCoullough (drums).
Aside from a dubiously tasteful private joke (which shall remain private), the name of the band also refers to the hard [...]
Review: Branford Marsalis Quartet – 16 March 2010
So on March 16 2010 I heard the Branford Marsalis Quartet.
Unfortunately the concert was at Hamer Hall, and accordingly the sound was no good at all. It really is a room made for ‘classical’ music, and the powers-that-be in jazz events programming really need to give up on this venue as soon as possible. Not [...]
Review: Wayne Shorter Quartet – 5 March 2010
On 5 March 2010 I had the privilege of seeing arguably the best jazz quartet on the planet, led by arguably the greatest living jazz musician and composer on the planet.
Having seen the band once in Paris in 2004, on a day when Wayne wasn’t particularly “on,” I was eager to hear them again and see [...]
