A dedication

I wasn't the only one who wouldn't miss such an impressive selection of Melbourne jazzers visiting Canberra.  Smiths was packed and we got a show of a special intensity and beauty.  I was wondering what to expect, but from the first notes the front line of trumpet, alto and tenor was bell-like with precise harmonies and interpretations and the written lines were a dream, rich and varied with sometimes unexpected twists of intervals or chords.  Just lovely.  The back line was as impressive, steady and precisely intoned bass (it's a concern with my playing at the moment so I can only admire Sam's intonation) and exploratory drums and richly effected guitar and of course the joyous smile and rich complexity of Andrea Keller on our Smith's piano.  Along with Andrea and leader Sam Anning, the players were Mat Jodrell, Carl Mackey, Julien Wilson, Theo Corbo and a newby for me, Kyrie Anderson.  Enough said.  This was not a night of flashy solos, but the solos were did hear were perfectly formed things, adorned only as required, stunning and beauteous.  They were launching Sam's new album, the third from his septet, a tribute to Archie Roach who he played with for 3 years and who he obviously admired immensely.  And the players on the night were the band on the album, so we got their awareness of the music and, from the top, a clarity and presence that was studio-like.   They played acoustic, or at least all but bass, guitar, piano did, and yet it could be very loud from my pretty close seat.  Acoustic, so sadly no mix on my part.  I complimented Sam on his compositions after.  I think I can mention that he does an exercise of writing five themes in 30 mins and these often join into a tune or otherwise lead to one.  So this is music based, rather than lyrical, but there was one poem recited at the end of one piece and at least one piece had an obvious  theme, of music and life partners Ruby Hunter and Archie, written after the death of Ruby.  I hope I don't offend or break protocol in mentioning these names, but  they were mentioned openly at the gig and were the theme of the album.  This piece was light and joyous and bouncy and quite different from many others, which more seemed in tune with the album title, Earthen, and Archie's comments and Aboriginal Australia's relationship to country.  Whatever, this was a stunningly capable and emotionally-rich concert to launch the album and I was not alone in my admiration.

Sam Anning (bass, composer) launched his new album dedicated to Uncle Archie Roach at Smiths with fellow composers and recording artists Mat Jodrell (trumpet), Carl Mackey (alto saxophone), Julien Wilson (tenor saxophone), Andrea Keller (piano), Theo Carbo (guitar) and Kyrie Anderson (drums).

And the ambassador played the bass

It's not often the tickets for a jazz gig are sold out but this one, a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Adolph Saxe, in the lawns of the Belgian Embassy, was. It was an attractive offer. Events at a Canberra embassies are often a hit with the locals. This was huge. The numbers swelled to 500, but the garden was generous and the evening was perfect and there were hors-d'ouevres and Belgian beer on offer and a great band. In a twist that's a local jazz secret (until last Friday) Jean-Luc Bodson, His Excellency the Belgian Ambassador, is also a conservatorium-trained bassist with a love of jazz. That alone would bring the inquisitive, but the jazzers were also drawn by a pairing of the brothers Mackie, both excellent saxists with Tate Sheridan and Mark Sutton. They just played one set but it was strong and well received. It was interesting to again hear Carl with John. Carl played alto on this occasion, fitting for a string of bop numbers, and John played his tenor. Their approaches, perhaps from the different instruments, were more diverse than I remember on John's CD, where Carl also played: different in solo development, phrasing conventions, approaches to dissonance and the rest. But both were excellent and intriguing listens. Jean-Luc held it together very capably with solidity and drive and clear tone, along with Mark, un-extravagant on this evening, but essential. Tate is only a young-un but he's a young gun playing with great energy and passion and real interest. This was reliable, bop-heavy blowing repertoire: Confirmation, My little suede shoes, Round midnight, Tenor madness and Footprints. It's not a steady band, of course, and I know for one that Jean-Luc had a few busy days with other duties, but it was a truly interesting occasion and possibly unique in ambassadorial circles. Following the main band was the Telopea Park High School Big Band. Just Year 10 students, but playing some surprisingly decent big band jazz and finishing with a twist of Nirvana-like guitar dirt. Cool. I can't resist including the pic of three gathered bassists. And if you're interested, I was drinking Leffe Brune. Good on the Belgians, not least for beer and bassist ambassadors and Adolph Sax.

The Belgian Embassy celebrated the bi-centennial of the birth of Adolph Saxe with a garden party on the grounds of the Embassy. Entertainment was a band comprising Carl Mackey (alto), John Mackey (tenor), Tate Sheridan (piano), Jean-Luc Bodson (bassist and ambassador) and Mark Sutton (drums). The Telopea Park High School Big Band also performed.