CD Releases
FGHR 'Going Home'
'Going Home' is the second release from FGHR - Darryn Farrugia (drums), Leonard Grigoryan (guitar), Luke Howard (piano) and Ben Robertson (acoustic bass) - who are some of Australia's finest contemporary musicians. Following on from their debut release 'Stationary' (2007), 'Going Home' presents an all original program of song-based instrumentals with Brazilian and European jazz influences.
Marc Hannaford 'Polar'
In the words of Marc Hannaford, "POLAR is about exploration: the exploration of space through sound, utilizing either improvisation or composition." Hannaford explains his new direction as "striving to move into a space where I am inside the sound of the work. By this I mean finding a balance between construction and observation while playing: using my own sounds to lose myself in their discourse."
POLAR is the next stage of bringing Hannaford’s own voice into focus. Given the innovative expression that Hannaford is obviously capable of, it is a journey that will surely continue long into the future.
Daniel Gassin 'Crossover'
The Daniel Gassin Trio has recently released its second album, “Crossover” recorded by Mal Stanley for ABC Jazztrack, on Vorticity Records. In 2007 Daniel Gassin was the sole Australian to reach the finals of the Bosendorfer Solo Piano Competition at the iconic Montreux Jazz Festival in Swizterland. In 2008 he was selected to participate in the Jazz & Creative Music Workshop in Banff, Canada, headed by world-renowned U.S. trumpeter and composer Dave Douglas.
"A brilliant, lyrical young Melbourne pianist-composer...... Sizzling, beautiful stuff." Richard Mohr, Readings
Way Out West 'Old Grooves for New Streets'
Winner of the 2009 Bell Award for 'Jazz Ensemble of the Year,' Way Out West has gained international acclaim for its unique fusion of Vietnamese, African, and contemporary jazz sounds. The sextet has appeared at major festivals and venues around the world in the past year including, Montreal Jazz Festival, Toronto Harbourfront Centre, Veneto Jazz Festival (Italy), Takatsuki Jazz Festival (Japan), Vancouver Jazz Festival, Brisbane Festival, Darwin Festival, and EBS Space in Seoul. The band is led by eclectic trumpeter/composer Peter Knight, and features Vietnamese traditional music virtuoso Dung Nguyen (dan bau, dan tranh, modified electric guitar) along with Ray Pereira (percussion), Paul Williamson (saxophones), Howard Cairns (bass), and Rajiv Jayaweera (drums/percussion). “Truly one of the highlights of the day, the Melbourne-based group managed to combine different styles seamlessly.” Vancouver Sun.
Old Grooves for New Streets is released on Jazzhead www.jazzhead.com and available through iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=264806499&s=143460
More information and love concert footage http://www.myspace.com/wayoutwestmelbourne
Michael Story 'So you want more'
The Michael Story Trio play their own interpretation of the 'ECM' jazz piano trio style, blending the sounds of Bobo Stenson's trio, harmonic and melodic interplay of Brad Mehldau's trio and the kick, hats, snare and woody double bass grooves of the Bad Plus. Their new release 'So you want more' features 12 original tracks by Michael, featuring Luke Howard on piano and Daniel Farrugia on drums.
“…the shared quality is lyricism and deeply satisfying melodic flow. Here surely is an object lesson in how intensity can be focused in inward-looking music of enduring beauty.”
- Steve Robertson (PBSfm)