When you think about hard bop, what comes to your mind? Which words? ‘Gritty’? ‘Funky’? ‘Muscular’, perhaps? Now imagine all this going through a prism and coming out of the other side with a dash of sophistication, elegance, and lyricism. What you get is what Jason Bruer has been doing with Hammerhead. Taking hard bop, and softening it around the edges, adding layers of nuance, and bringing a decades-long-standing tradition to the here and now.
I have admired Jason as a sax player, a band leader, and a unique voice in the Australian Jazz scene, for a while now. He is a true modern jazz master with a distinctive personal sound on the saxophone, an inventive composer, and restless performer, passionate for the music, and committed to delivering the message.
A true Jazz Messenger, if you will.
What would you say to a total stranger to get them to come to a Hammerhead gig?
If you like highly nuanced contemporary jazz performed with energy and flair by one of Australia’s finest jazz ensembles then this is the gig for you!
What’s the Hammerhead backstory?
The band originally started life as a kind of celebration of the music from Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, with a nod to composers such as Cedar Walton and Wayne Shorter.
Around 2018 I changed gear and decided I would steer it in a different direction and whilst honouring those Hard Bop pioneers, I wanted it to be more about my re-imagining of this music and take it into the ‘now’ and so I composed all of the music. Hence the 2019 release Turning Point which is all my original compositions.
My current line up includes some old faces and some very new fresh faces. I like to have a balance between experienced musicians and young guns, keeps my music fresh.
How did you develop your sound?
My sound has been developed over a 47 year career through a combination of listening, doing a shit load of work on my sound and by always playing multiple styles.
What has been the biggest highlight of your journey in music so far?
Amongst numerous highlights, playing at a party with The Jools Holland Band at Sting’s house when Sting, Eric Clapton and Stevie Winwood got up and played with us in front of the likes of Dustin Hoffman and Tom Hanks who were at the party. Also playing for and meeting afterwards, Bill Clinton.
What has been the greatest challenge?
Overcoming Chronic Fatigue, 23 years ago, as a result of a nasty virus which took five years, was immensely challenging. Having a heart attack as a result of COVID and then developing ‘Long Covid’ was also extremely challenging. Overcoming these challenges was very nuanced but at the end of the day, it came down to a ‘never give up’ state of mind and my passion for music.
If you could invite anyone (no restrictions at all) to sit in with Hammerhead, who would that be?
John Coltrane or Wayne Shorter.
How did you get into jazz?
It happened quite organically but as a result of a friendship with a guy who was a few years older than me who got me listening to Trane and Weather Report.
If you could give one piece of advice to your teenage self, what would that be?
Take up the saxophone a lot earlier than nearly 19 years of age.
What is one thing people really should know about the saxophone?
I feel it’s the closest instrument to your soul after the human voice.
Which tune best describes your current state of mind?
Today, it’s ‘A Remark You Made’, written by Joe Zawinul and performed by Weather Report.
see Jason Bruer & Hammerhead live:
- Wednesday 10 September – Lazybones, Marickville
- Friday 12 September – Paris Cat, Melbourne
- Saturday 13 September – Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Canberra
