Festival First Night: make sure you go and see some music.
6 January 2010 at 3:44 pm | In gigs for kids | Leave a CommentTags: festival first night, sydney festival
Don’t forget Festival First Night is on this saturday! Free music around Hyde Park, The Domain and Martin Place all afternoon and evening. The legendary Al Green is topping of the bill at the Domain, and in Hyde Park you can see me with King Tide, Bobby Singh and possibly also the Sunchasers. Check the Sydney Festival website for the huge full line-up.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FESTIVAL FIRST NIGHT MAP HERE.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FESTIVAL FIRST NIGHT PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE HERE.
VIEW THE FESTIVAL FIRST NIGHT 2010 TRAILER HERE.
VIEW TOURISM NSW’S PREVIEW OF FESTIVAL FIRST NIGHT HERE.
The Music Place Band Camp
6 January 2010 at 3:40 pm | In gigs for kids | Leave a CommentTags: band camp, school, sydney, the music place
Find below info about band camp happening next tues/wed/thur: I’ll be there tutoring. Could be a good way to polish up the kids playing skills, and maybe meet some music-minded kids from other areas.
Time to Play
Band Camp at The Music Place
A fun, educational and inspiring way to keep your children entertained
and occupied these summer holidays.
For school aged students who play woodwind and brass instruments.
In store at
The Music Place
496 Parramatta Rd
Petersham
NSW 2049
Camp Dates and Times
Tuesday 12th of January 2010 9:45 am – 1:15 pm
Wednesday 13th of January 2010 9:45 am – 1:15 pm
Thursday 14th of January 2010 9:45 am – 1:15 pm
Concert Date and Time
Thursday 14th of January 2010 6:30 pm
Sydney Improvised Music Association’s Cool for School Program in 2010
16 December 2009 at 12:16 pm | In gigs for kids | Leave a CommentTags: all ages, gigs for kids, jazz, SIMA, sydney
SIMA Jazz: Cool for School Program 2010: Next year, for the first time, SIMA is excited to be presenting an annual program of live jazz concerts for high school students to experience asome of the best Australian musicians and bands in performance in a real jazz club venue. The program will feature 6 concerts in 2010 (increasing to 8 or 10 in 2011/2012) and will comprise of quality compilation CD for each student with a booklet; 30-minute structured Q&A session with the bandleaders and musicians after the concert focusing on the music and the jazz idiom
The SIMA Jazz for Schools program will differ to most school music programs like those presented by Music Viva or Cultural Infusion because musicians will not travel to schools and set up in auditoriums or school assembly halls, which often do not have the right acoustics and do not showcase the bands at their best, (ultimately affecting the audience enjoyment and long-term view of the jazz idiom). Instead, the students travel to the live venue and experience jazz at it should be: up close and intimate, with excellent sound, staging and lighting. The chance to listen to musicians in this way rather than a more formal or inappropriate setting gives a genuine insight into the professional jazz scene in Sydney.
To register your interest, please contact Gordana (Program Coordinator) info@sima.org.au
Tonight: Sandy Evans Trio with Special Guests (All Ages)
10 December 2009 at 3:31 pm | In All-Ages December 2009, gigs for kids | Leave a CommentTags: all ages, concert, gigs for kids, jazz, Sandy Evans, SIMA, sydney
Sandy Evans Trio with Special Guests
date: Thursday 10 December 2009
time: 8.30-11pm
venue: The Sound Lounge
Join us for a very special evening as Sandy Evans, Brett Hirst and Toby Hall, are joined by special guests Alister Spence, James Greening and Phil Slater.
In addition to the beautiful music we expect of the trio, tonight will see the premiere (second set) of a new hour-long suite When the Sky Cries Rainbows. This work was commissioned by the Australia Council and will be recorded by ABC Jazz Track the following week. This group of musicians are long term friends and collaborators and have a keen understanding of Sandy’s musical concepts and a willingness to explore new ideas with tremendous imagination. This is a night not to be missed!
In Sandy’s words: ‘The starting point for my creative expression in this work is the image of the breathtaking spectrum of colour that often fills the sky after a storm. To me, this is a symbol of the profound sense of hope that can occur after a time of intense grief. I hope to create a work that incorporates the power and architectural unity of large scale form with the spontaneity of small group interaction and improvisation. Given the breadth of emotion and colour that my theme will seek to express, I decided to include two guest wind soloists in the project, trumpeter Phil Slater and trombonist James Greening. As well as being outstanding soloists, these players have a very direct vocal quality in their playing that will intensify the expressiveness of the music. Alister and I have a long association through Clarion Fracture Zone and every chance to play with him is very special to me.’
Sandy Evans (composer/leader, saxophones) Brett Hirst (bass) Toby Hall (drums) and special guests Phil Slater (trumpet) James Greening (trombone) Alister Spence (piano)
via SIMA | live music programme | Sandy Evans Trio with Special Guests.
11th & 12th Dec: James Muller Quartet (All Ages)
10 December 2009 at 3:24 pm | In All-Ages December 2009, gigs for kids | Leave a CommentTags: all ages, concert, gigs for kids, james muller, jazz, SIMA, sydney
James Muller Quartet
date: Friday 11 December 2009
time: 8.30-11pm
venue: The Sound Lounge
tickets: $18/$14/$12 – book online
Muller routinely unleashed melodic cluster bombs over the rhythm section, in solos so captivating I periodically found myself having to remember to breathe John Shand, SMH
Following his sell-out performance in September, SIMA is pleased to present the acclaimed guitarist, composer and bandleader James Muller, in his renowned quartet format.
With astounding achievements to his credit, including ARIA, MO and APRA awards, first prize in the Freedman Fellowship (Jazz) and working with illustrious international artists like John Scofield, Chad Wackerman, Nigel Kennedy and Christian McBride, Adelaide-born Muller has been recognized for being ‘a very “giving” musician, a sensitive accompanist as well as a superb soloist’ (SMH).
Amongst his work as a sideman, James is known for his work with James Morrison, Vince Jones, David Theak, Mark Isaacs Resurgence Band and the Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra.
James has recorded 4 CDs under his own name. The second, All Out, won an ARIA award for Best Jazz Album in 2000 and the third, Thrum, was nominated for the same award in 2002. His most recent release, Kaboom, recorded in New York, was called ‘his best recording to date’ (SMH).
As a bandleader, he is best known for his trio, but his quartet, augmented with brilliant saxophonist Matt Keegan, is quickly gaining him critical and audience acclaim.
The quartet’s music is generally joyful & nicely open: a lovely marriage of genial lyricism and improvisatory flair – Doug Spence, The Daily Planet
James Muller (guitar) Matt Keegan (saxophone) Brett Hirst (bass) Tim Firth (drums)
Examination results – 4 proud kids
10 November 2009 at 3:13 pm | In announcements | Leave a CommentTags: ameb, brass, lower brass
I’ve opened my mail to find certificates for all the participants in this latest round of AMEB examinations.
Congratulations to Jessica F.; Harry H,; Michael H. & Patrick S. for playing so well.
KMQ hits the SIMA gig: Sound Lounge November 21
7 November 2009 at 7:17 pm | In gigs | Leave a CommentTags: jazz, Keijzer, McGuiness, SIMA, sydney
After an exhaustingly fun welcome to Australia with the Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra and Charles Tolliver, I’ve had the pleasure of getting in a couple hits with my old band-mate, Remco Keijzer. We stomped the Jazzgroove gig in Surry Hills last tuesday and pushed the Jazz Dungeon in Newcastle on Thursday. We’re doing one more show this year, at the Sydney Improvised Music Association’s venue The Sound Lounge, tucked in under the Seymour Theatre Centre.
It’s a special time, our first gigs since Keijzer’s Big Move to Oz. Although he still has to travel from Melbourne, there’s a relaxed element there now that wasn’t present before I feel. Also, the multi-talented Tom O’Halloran will be filling Matt McMahon’s giant shoes on the SIMA gig.
For more info on SIMA and our gig there head to the SIMA website, or phone the Seymour Centre Box Office on 02 9351 7940.
The Basement (Sydney) renegs on all-ages promise
5 November 2009 at 10:05 am | In gigs for kids | Leave a CommentTags: all ages, basement, jazz, sydney
Despite being a perfect candidate for all-ages gigs in Sydney, a city with a sever lack of performance venues catering for families and under-18s, the Basement has no fixed policy on under-age patrons. Under NSW liquor-licensing laws, The Basement is in a position to make it’s own policy regarding allowing under-age patrons, including restrictions on hours, and with what sort of guardians they may be allowed entry. I’ve been disappointed in the past that the Basement is not particularly open to the idea of all-ages entry to their gigs, but was excited to hear they had decided to make the Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra concert with Charles Tolliver on October 28th a special case, allowing minors for this occasion only with pro-visors; “Under 18’s must be accompanied by a responsible adult and under 15’s must be booked and seated at a table with a responsible adult.”
Unfortunately for everybody, either the Basement management had second thoughts or neglected to inform their staff of the conditions on October 28, because accompanied under-18s were turned away at the door on the night, or refused table bookings in the days before the concert. Embarrassing for the Orchestra, Jazzgroove and SIMA who all worked very hard to promote the concert, and a blow to attempts to encourage a little more concert-attendance by families and music students.
Mothership and Charles Tolliver Oct 28 at Basement is an ALL AGES SHOW!
12 October 2009 at 6:00 am | In All-Ages October 2009, gigs for kids | Leave a CommentTags: all ages, basement, big band, concert, jazz, kids, mothership, sydney, tolliver
STOP PRESS!!!
The Basement has graciously allowed under 18’s to attend the upcoming Mothership Orchestra/Charles Tolliver show on October 28 in Sydney. This is a rarity, as the basement has a strict “no minors” policy. To encourage them to continue allowing young music fans access to world class music, its important we support this initiative by making this night a huge success.
Mothership Orchestra meets Charles Tolliver (US) – presented by SIMA
Oct 28 – Sydney (ALL AGE SHOW), The Basement, 29 Reiby Place, Circular Quay, 9pm. Ph: (02) 9251 2797 for bookings. $35 / $25. click here to purchase tickets via moshtix
NB ALL AGE RULES. Under 18’s must be accompanied by a responsible adult and under 15’s must be booked and seated at a table with a responsible adult.
About Charles Tolliver & The Orchestra
Tolliver is a groove-minded composer, given to blaring horn repetitions and tumbling rhythm-section vamps… he’s still got a sense of bravura command and that his instincts, especially as a bandleader, are as sharp as ever. Which raises the question: Why did he keep it so quiet for so long? (Vibe Magazine)
Former Downbeat Poll winner, Grammy nominee and a veteran performer with groundbreaking ensembles such as Art Blakey’s jazz messengers, Sonny Rollins, Roy Haynes, Andrew Hill, and the Horace Silver Group, Tolliver is also a highly respected and extremely inventive large ensemble composer who makes his Australian debut at the helm of the Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra.
Widely acknowledged as Australia’s leading jazz orchestra, The Jazzgroove Mothership Orchestra features original music from Sydney’s most dynamic and creative large ensemble composers, and creative improvising talent all packaged into one exciting dynamic and highly original ensemble. Under the artistic directorship of David Theak, the orchestra has gone from strength to musical strength since its inception 2004 and it rapidly gaining an international reputation as a formidable jazz orchestra.
Mothership Orchestra Survey
if you have previously attended a mothership orchestra concert click on the link and fill out the following online survey to go into the draw for a 5 pack of mothership orchestra CD’s (including a mix of CD’s releases from the orchestra and musicians within the band)
click here to complete survey
http://www.myspace.com/mothershiporchestra
www.mothershiporchestra.com
Gigs For kids: Lah Lah’s Adventures
27 September 2009 at 8:10 pm | In gigs for kids | Leave a CommentTags: 2009, children, concert, enmore, harris, music, october, sydney
Lah Lah’s Adventures
7-18th October
The Enmore Theatre
More info and Booking
A dancing double bass, singing saxophone and an accordion that sneezes when he squeezes! Welcome to Lah-Lah – a fantastical new kid’s concert introducing children to the magical world of music. Lah-Lah announces Sydney shows for 7-18 October 2009, alongside an exciting new broadcast and event partnership with Nickelodeon. Featuring a variety of musical styles from pop, jazz and world music to a touch of Mozart, parents will be tapping and jiving to a whole new beat.
This show is in Proms format, children and adults up close and personal with the 5 piece band. Strictly limited seating available. Book early, tickets selling fast. Come and meet the characters after the show and touch and play the double bass, accordion, drums and saxophone. A truly memorable event for the whole family. From Wednesday 7th October through to Sunday 11th Wednesday 14th through to Sunday 18th but no show on the Friday 16th.
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