Festival review by Garry Lee: Perth International Jazz Festival 2014

This second Perth International Jazz Festival (PIJF) commencing Friday 9th and concluding Sunday 11th May seemed to be an unqualified success. If key indicators included engaging the populace, developing on last year’s inaugural festival, presenting a variety of styles and venues, presenting music more challenging and innovative than may be heard in Perth on a weekly basis then all boxes could be ticked.

Review – On a Clear Day

Read our recent review of On a Clear Day, the Jamie Oehlers / Paul Grabowsky Jazzhead release of jazz standards. Review by Peter Kenneally.

There are two approaches usually taken to standards: either a polite respectful caressing, which tries to leach the banality out of the old chestnut, or a gut busting ‘I can make any tune do anything I want’ assault. This recording ignores both, and goes its own way right from the start…