Helen Svoboda is a double bassist, vocalist, composer, improviser and nature enthusiast. “With a deep awareness of extra musical concepts that shape inventive improvisation, and great art” (Steve Newcomb, AUS), Helen draws influence from vegetables, flowers and the genres of minimalist neo-classical music, folk and experimental jazz.
After a search for Australia’s most promising young jazz artist, The Music Trusts 2020 Freedman Jazz Fellowship finalists are Niran Dasika (trumpet), Jacques Emery (double bass), Rafael Jerjen (double bass) and Helen Svoboda (double bass)
Linda May Han Oh continued Western Australia’s strong performance by taking home the Art Music Award for Work of the Year: Jazz for her ‘Aventurine’
The 17th annual Australian Jazz Bell Awards acknowledged and applauded excellence of creativity, recording, performance and presentation of jazz in Australia.
“I’ve always been someone who gets goosebumps and shivers easily when things affect me, and I can remember vocal harmonies affecting me in this physical way from very early on. From there, it has always been part of my life, and I am comforted to think that whatever happens, it will stay there for me”
Genius pianist Barney McAll dominates the shortlist, being featured in four categories with his visceral masterpiece, ‘Hearing the Blood’, while brilliant newcomer saxophonist Evan Harris follows with three nominations, each representing a different generation of Australian jazz.
“My idea of excellence is something which takes incredible patience and great care. A master craftsman doesn’t get bored of their craft, but rather finds more depth in it over time. I can’t remember where it is from, but I think it’s a Nietzschean aphorism – ‘seriousness is a child at play’, which I think is important too.”
Acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Tom OHalloran has received the Jazz Work of the Year award for Now Noise, an album composed for his group Memory of Elements (Moe), at the 2017 Art Music Awards
Legendary jazz drummer and bandleader John Pochee OAM will receive the Distinguished Services to AustralianMusic honour at the 2017 Art Music Awards on Tuesday 22 August.
The inaugural recipient of the award is the talented saxophonist Scott McConnachie. It will enable him to record a solo album and trio album for release later this year.
