Berlin calls home
Canberra Jazz blog - Wed 21 May 2025
This was something special.  It's not every Wednesday we have a Canberran returning for a visit from Berlin where she's been playing for 10 years in various European chamber groups, and improv collectives.  But accompanied by the cream of Canberra's players, CSO and the like, just added... ... More...

Where in the world is Ben?
Canberra Jazz blog - Fri 16 May 2025
Ben Francis gave a broad exploration of the world of classical piano with a Beethoven sonata, a Chopin nocturne, some Debussy impressionism and two Rachmaninov preludes.  Ben is preparing for his L.Mus exam later this year and these are on his program.  All nicely done and a fascinating... ... More...

Another Tuesday, venue 2
Canberra Jazz blog - Thu 15 May 2025
It's Tuesday night so if venue 1 is Smiths then venue 2 is Molly.  Of course Molly is the unmarked timber door in the lane just behind Smiths and up the stairs on Tuesday night is a string of some of the best local jazz you will hear in this town.  And tonight was a doozie: Tom Fell lea... ... More...

Another Tuesday, venue 1
Canberra Jazz blog - Wed 14 May 2025
Tuesday can be a great night for jazz in Civic and this was one example.  First up was the ANU Jazz Society Open Mic night in the upstairs bar at Smiths.  This is not just a collection of Jazz School students, but they obviously make a significant part of it.  And it was very much ... ... More...

Neat flight
Canberra Jazz blog - Sat 10 May 2025
Volant was touring and they were playing at Smiths as their penultimate gig before a final outing at the Milton Festival.  Volant is fronted by Matthew Ottignon but interestingly it's otherwise a trio of women which still remains less common although there are now plenty of female jazz instr... ... More...

Voices through ages
Canberra Jazz blog - Thu 8 May 2025
This was a world premiere of a vocal quartet and it was quite lovely.  And not unexpected given the known history of these singers.  The group was called Arcenciel presumably Arc-en-ciel, French for Rainbow.  Amusingly, I looked up YouTube and found a Japanese metal band with that ... ... More...

Crossovers
Canberra Jazz blog - Wed 7 May 2025
I last saw Helen Svoboda at SoundOut 2024 and this year she appeared at CIMF with Timo-Veikko 'Tipi' Valve, principal cellist at the Australian Chamber Orchestra.  SoundOut and ACO?  It's an unexpected pairing but thus is CIMF and thus is one of its strengths.  The concert was insp... ... More...

Interlude no.2 Choral
Canberra Jazz blog - Tue 6 May 2025
This is a busy time for recording but it's great pleasure: a string of CIMF concerts and jazz and choral.  The choral was the locals, Canberra Choral Society, presenting Handel Dixit Dominus and Arvo Part Berliner Messe at St Paul's.  A wonderful location and one that suits my gear ... ... ... More...

Interlude no.1 Jazz
Canberra Jazz blog - Mon 5 May 2025
In the middle of recording CIMF was a jazz recording and despite the immense satisfaction of classical virtuosity, it was a welcome change.  Michael J Brady had invited me to record his trio's visit to the Drill Hall, on tour to promote their recent album.  They'd managed a session in t... ... More...

The time I stood
Canberra Jazz blog - Sun 4 May 2025
Two takes on Satu Vanska in one day, and this one in the wondrous brutalist space of the High Court foyer playing Shostakovich and the like, for which I have a new awareness and love, and with a fellow hugely capable pianist.  I think I was the first to stand for an ovation and normally I ne... ... More...