“Whilst I certainly do have my share of punters coming up to me after shows and expecting me to care about whatever topic they’ve decided we are now going to talk about, it’s probably better than the common alternative that women face of that same bloke giving me a full, unprompted critique of my personal appearance. So, I guess that’s good. It’s also pretty nice having crew/tech not just assume I have no idea what I’m doing.”
Diversifying jazz and improvisation appears to be a non-issue in Australian culture. But addressing the exclusionary and harmful practices ingrained in jazz can inform the social change puzzle for other aspects of Australian culture where prejudice also prevails.
“Under Paris Skies is a little different from traditional voice / guitar / bass trio albums. For some of the songs James Sherlock plays both rhythm and lead guitar, and for others Ben Hanlon overdubbed multiple bass parts. For the rest we play as a trio. I love hearing a jazz musician improvise and create with themselves. I find it really beautiful to discover their voices in this setting, and that curiosity inspired me.”
Andrea Keller’s piano is central to her Transients trios, a thing of wonder that binds together these conversations with her fellow musicians.
74 musicians; 4 hours of non-stop music; 1 stage; $10,000 raised for Wildlife Victoria
” We don’t confine ourselves to particular genres, or traditional interpretations of genres, and we don’t pre-determine too much about the music. All of us love pop, and have listened to loads in our time on the planet. And Brazilian tunes creep in because I find it hard to omit these from any setlist I’m involved in! Aside from that, Stoneflower creates a very gentle, magical sonic palette that doesn’t attempt to prove anything to listeners.”
A wonderful selection of local and interstate Jazz artists are bringing their unique flair and original vibe to The Memo St Kilda Jazz Summit including some of Melbourne’s finest jazz exponents covering styles from 1920s to the sounds of today.
Elly Hoyt has harnessed the power and beauty of music, not simply for its own sake, but to give voice to those we have heard far too little from.
Two interviews with Marc Hannaford who is currently touring Australia with his New York Trio. In the first one, the brilliant pianist talks about his life in New York, and his current musical pursuit. In the second, he remembers his trio with Allan Browne and Sam Pankhust, documented in the album Monday Dates.
“When you are finding it a struggle as a woman in the jazz scene, try talking to other women about it. Look to history, to the female composers and performers who continued to pursue their dreams and rose to the top of their field despite the many difficulties they faced.”
