James Morrison
The audience sat open-mouthed with astonishment at the glittering cadenza on
There Will Never Be Another You as the trumpet player opened his set at the 1994
Brecon Jazz Festival in Wales. This was nothing new to Australian audiences but
it was feats such as this that moved the late, great bass player Ray Brown to call
James Morrison “The Genius!” A magnificent musician, he is a rare talent who
also plays several other instruments superbly. He may be noted for his trumpet
prowess but Morrison is also a world class trombonist who has played with some
of the biggest names in jazz including Dizzy Gillespie and Wynton Marsalis. As a
key member of Lalo Schifrin’s Jazz Meets The Symphony, Morrison has shown
there are no musical boundaries his talent cannot conquer. The most famous
member of John Speight’s legendary Young Northside Big Band, he is the logical
choice to headline the two memorial concerts for the former artistic director of the
Thredbo Jazz Festival.
Joe Chindamo
There are few pianists in Australia who can match an in-form Joe Chindamo. Not
only is he a supreme balladeer, but he can also swing with overpowering virility.
Blessed with an amazing harmonic sense and great time, he has that rare ability
to turn any tune into a personal statement. Chindamo has toured extensively
overseas, especially with drummer Billy Cobham. However, he has also played
in the stellar company of Ray Brown, Lee Konitz and Michael Brecker. His duets
with James Morrison have been highlights at festivals in Wangaratta (2006) and
Melbourne (2005). Lifting the bar of excellence is a challenge he relishes. More
than a pianists’ pianist, he is the complete article.
Allan Browne’s Australian Jazz Band
Arguably the finest all-round jazz drummer Australia has produced, Melbourne’s
Allan Browne revels in all styles from that of New Orleans, for which he has a
passion, to the outer rim of the cutting edge. His catholic taste is summed up in
his own words regarding this band’s repertoire which will be heard in Thredbo
- it ranges “from Jelly (Roll Morton), Pops (Louis Armstrong), Duke (Ellington),
Ornette (Coleman), Bob Dylan to music from our CDs”. The lineup, which includes
trumpeter Eugene Ball and clarinetist Chris Tanner who made such an impression
on their first visit to Thredbo as teenagers, is completed by Tamara Murphy (bass)
and John Scurry (guitar/banjo).
Bob Barnard
Those lucky enough to hear him at Melbourne’s Stonnington Jazz Festival in
March, soon realised the flame still burns brightly in the cornet playing of the
internationally respected Bob Barnard, one of the greatest jazz musicians this
country has produced. Blessed with a gorgeous tone, he plays with an ease and
authority of the truly gifted. At Thredbo he will be playing with his “extended
family” including talented sons Adam (drums) and Tony (guitar) who is flying in
from London especially for the gig and niece Rebecca.
Anita Thomas/Eugene Wright (USA)
Described by Down Beat critics in the late 1950s as the man who, with drummer
Joe Morello, made the Dave Brubeck Quartet swing, bassist Eugene Wright -
respectfully known as The Senator - at the age of 83 is still playing and teaching
in the Los Angeles area. He will be accompanied on most gigs by Thredbo
favourite, reed player Anita Thomas, as part of a trio (add Grahame Conlan
guitar) and quartet (with drummer Mark Sutton). Thomas is back in Sydney after
spending the past five years studying alto with Jeff Clayton and playing in LA
including gigs with the esteemed Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.
Adrian Cunningham
If there is one Australian jazz musician who it can be said stands on the brink of an
exciting career, it’s Adrian Cunningham, arguably our most exciting clarinet talent.
And as a foil to his lyrical and swinging clarinet, there are his accomplishments
as a multi-instrumentalist - he plays all the reed instruments - whether it be
his soulful tenor playing or his excellence as a flautist. These talents will all be
on display in a quartet setting with Matt Baker (piano), Dave Pudney (bass) and
Warren Trout (drums).
John Morrison
One of the country’s most respected drummers and leader of the celebrated
Sydney big band Swing City, John Morrison will be seen in a different context
with his chamber group New Generation which reprises the classic sound of the
legendary Modern Jazz Quartet with outstanding young musician’s vibraphonist
Bernard Winetroube, pianist Tim Fisher and bassist Karl Dunnicliff. The stylish
vocals of Jacki Cooper are an added bonus. The group will play a key role in the
two memorial concerts, especially as the MJQ was a favourite of John Speight’s.
Errol Buddle
Like a vintage red wine, Errol Buddle seems to get better with age. One who
deserves the title “living legend”, the reed virtuoso still has one of the great tenor
sounds in Australian jazz as was shown at Wangaratta last year. Our finest jazz
export, he was the first Australian to play regularly with the best American jazzmen,
led the Australian Jazz Quintet in concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall in the 1950s
and pioneered the use of the bassoon in jazz. He will be accompanied by Marie
Steinway (piano/vocals), Jeremy Borthwick (trombone), Eric Ajaye (bass) and
Rodney Ford (drums/vocals).
Delilah with John Harkins Trio
Hearing the soulful stirrings of Delilah for the first time makes one realise that this
is a singer born to entertain whether it be the blues, gospel or jazz. Her experience
both here and overseas has made her a consummate performer. She will be
backed by the trio of former American John Harkins with Alex Compton (bass) and
Andrew Dickeson (drums). A class accompanist, Harkins is one of Sydney’s most
in-demand pianists.
E-type Jazz
A commercial blend of jazz, adult contemporary, blues and Latin has proved
a winner for the Adelaide group Etypejazz since its formation. Its smooth yet
sophisticated and stylish approach has earned it high praise including the title
of “best Australian live jazz act”. This is lounge jazz at its best exemplified by the
vocals of Katrina Ryan backed by Beth Lyon (reeds), Mike Haynes (bass), Matthew
Carey (piano) and Damien Eldridge (drums).
Howler’s Cotton Club
With drummer Anthony Howe at the helm and a front line of Bob Henderson
(trumpet) and Paul Furness (reeds), Howler’s Cotton Club jealously guards
its reputation as our finest New Orleans and early swing combo. Add John
Blenkhorn’s guitar and Stan Valacos’ bass to the mix for a dancing cocktail.
Mike Price Duo
Canberra-based guitarist Mike Price, head of jazz studies at the ANU, again teams
up with premier Sydney bassist Brendan Clarke. Interaction and subtle swing are
the hallmarks of their always entertaining gigs.
Wildrice
Take a dash of Australian original jazz, add the sounds of New Orleans and the
Carribean for flavouring, then spice it up with hot Cuban rhythms and the result
- Wildrice, the ultimate party band with Chris Ross (trumpet/vocals), Alison Penney
(piano/vocals), Anthony Howe (drums) and Mervyn Sequeira (bass).
Bogalusa Strutters Brass Band
A roving group with a four horn frontline Chris Ross (trumpet), Jeremy Borthwick
(trombone), Karl Laskowski (tenor), Steve Fitzmaurice (baritone) and two drummers
Anthony Howe (snare) and James Hauptman (bass) which captures the spirit of
New Orleans with its brassy-derived funk.
Wayne Kelly Trio
Classy Canberra pianist with a will to swing and penchant for lyrical balladeering
backed by two of the best in bassist Brendan Clarke and drummer Mark Sutton.
The MetTet
Led by drummer Jason Isaacs, The MetTet is a six-piece group made up of key
members of the Sydney Metro Big Band - Brooke Ayrton (trumpet), Tom Abbott
(reeds), Nic Jeffries (reeds/vocals) and Trent Prees (bass). Jazz standards and
originals make up its repertoire as it draws from such diverse musical influences as
salsa, pop, groove, Brazilian, funk and bebop.
Matt Baker Trio
One of the fastest rising stars on the national stage in his favourite trio format with
bassist Alex Boneham and drummer Warren Trout.
Alison Penney Trio
“She’s gotta lot of soul” sums up the singing and piano playing of this experienced
and much lauded artist.
Lionel Robinson
The popular singer-pianist and a Thredbo favourite is back with his blend of Latin
lounge jazz and classic covers.
Lionel Loughnan Trio
The rhythmic support of Lionel Loughnan’s bass and the guitar, percussion and
steel drums of Bruce McClean, allows Marty Mooney to give full reign to the
timeless sound of his tenor in a program of jazz standards from the 1930s to the
1960s including works by such exalted figures as Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie
and Antonio Carlos Jobim.
Kirrawee High Stage Band
One of NSW’s elite school big bands familiar with all major styles from 1950’s
Basie to the present in top form after a successful tour of Cuba.
ANU Commercial Ensemble
A concert performance ensemble under the direction of Eric Ajaye with a book
based on modern music from classic jazz to popular contemporary music.
Paul Dion and James Ryan
This pair carries on the tradition of guest artists at the festival, multi-instrumentalist
Dion concentrating on piano and Ryan on tenor and flute.
 A TRIBUTE TO JOHN SPEIGHT
John Speight was never one to draw attention to himself. If you had sat across from him in a cafe at the Thredbo Jazz Festival, you wouldn’t have looked twice, except perhaps to glance at his gnarly hands, suffering at the wrong end of a long argument with arthritis, hands that once played piano with the best the Sydney jazz scene had to offer.
Yet this unassuming man created a culture of excellence in high school show
bands over three decades and the twinkle in his eye was the spark behind some of
Australia’s most successful jazz festivals.
Sadly, John Speight, OAM, musical director of 17 Thredbo Jazz Festivals and
founding musical director of the Manly International Jazz Festival, passed away
unexpectedly on January 21 2007. As his Order of Australia Medal for services to
music would suggest, he made an outstanding contribution to the development of
Australian jazz.
However, in Thredbo we will remember him for his love of jazz and its musicians,
so evident each year in the quality of his programming for our festival. I will never
forget the look of boyish excitement on his face as he sat in the audience, watching
his plans unfold, and savouring those magic moments by the skilled musicians he’d
brought together to create something special.
It was clear that through his years as an arranger and bandleader, he viewed
the festival as a composition with various themes running over the weekend
culminating in the Sunday afternoon concerts which always brought the audience
to their feet in rapturous applause, the perfect crescendo to a great jazz weekend.
This crescendo was probably something he had anticipated months before. Two special concerts paid tribute to John, headlined by James Morrison,
the most famous but only one of the many fine musicians who passed through the
ranks of his legendary Young Northside Big Band.
See PDF file (103kb): “Timelines”, Sydney Morning Herald
|
