As a matter or fact, all the ballads in the album have a high charged emotional density, without ever turning into melodrama — this is probably due to Libor Smoldas’ earthy lyricism, Jakub Zomer’s ability to create haunting sonic undercurrents, and Sacha Kloostra’s carefully timed explosions, not to mention Ingrid James’ masterful control of her instrument.
The words ‘ethno-jazz’ and ‘folk-jazz’ often come up, when people try to describe Zela Margossian‘s music, but make no mistake: this is not a sub-genre, […] Read More
“I loved drums but also piano and composition, this why I decided to play the vibraphone and marimba; it sits right in the middle of both — a piano played with mallets. I’m joking, of course!”
“I did not expect the music that came out of me to be political, to be conscious jazz. I thought I would write a beautiful lovely AABA jazz standard that could swing.I didn’t realise that I was so angry or desperate.I didn’t realise I was so opinionated.”
Apparently, today is ‘Batman Day’ — the annual event started in celebration of the iconic comic book character’s 80th Anniversary, and it is evolving into […] Read More
For an album filled with gems of the Great American Songbook, it is telling that the songs that mostly stand out are Tamara Kuldin’s original compositions. ‘Maisie’s song’ in particular, has all it takes to become a modern classic – a sweet, catchy melody; simple, honest lyrics; a warm, compelling delivery by a vocalist at the top of her game.
“The best part of being in Koi Kingdom is how open and free each member is with each other’s compositions. The foundations lie in the players that we are, so you hear heaps of Marcos’ signature whammy sound and b9 chords, Cheryl’s rhythmic and sometimes atonal blowing and Stephen’s songlike phrasing and free-blowing grooves.”
“All songs have to do with Tides and emotions rolling in and out and finding our balance and equilibrium in the face of all the waves that keep crashing on our shores.”
Back in Melbourne, we had a bunch of legends do group iso sessions, ranging from trad jazz to contemporary improvisation.
“I think my music is on the whole quite accessible to people who aren’t avid jazz fans, yet also has many elements of that flying, dodging and dextrous complexity that jazz aficionados and myself have come to love.”
