Canb Jazz Fest 3

Day 1 was great if interrupted; day 2 will be the same.  First up a big band, the ANU Jazz Orchestra.  They played a string of tunes, maybe uptempo because MD Con Campbell observed that they'd finished early.  SO be it.  This was big, fat, horn heavy tones, solos passed around variously, some decent grooves.  They played 9 tunes, several by Sammy Nestico including Dvorak's theme which is an arrangement by SN of the Largo second mvt. from the new World Symphony.  But my fave was sponsored by a local for this band from composer Jenna Cave who appears in CJ frequently when studying at ANUSOM and last time I heard, was MD for her own jazz orchestra in Sydney.  What gives you hope was a lovely, rich piece with glorious harmonies rather than the sharp hits of many big band tunes, luscious harmonies and several movements.  Then a short quick drop-in to hear the Razzlers.  Dance worthy, period jazz that I know little of, but worthy. They had a few couples up on their feet and a very impressive presence!   Then Wayne Kelly with Ben and Mark in the bar upstairs.  Then Wayne Kelly with Ben and Mark in the bar upstairs.  This is the very trio that CJ first wrote up, in October 2005.  They look younger in that pic.  But what a band!  All originals, compositions from all members, sharp and beautifully played, mature and expressive all round, pizz and bow, sticks and brushes, plenty of excellent solos, rich in tones and harmonies and well arranged.  I noticed a post on FB with a pic of them in the ArtSound studio, I think 3 days before, so maybe this is a new album in train.  If so, it will be worthy!  Just one standard, I'm old fashioned.  Then Mereki Leten.  I've seen Mereki in various combinations in a few locations.  She's one to get out for the gig and that's great, and very often with Michael Larsen-Collins and sometimes with Greg Stott at her side.  This time that trio was grown with Gus Henderson.  Mereki had written a tune for this event and it was nice but her flute was playing up.  Thus played on tenor sax and with key change for her offsiders, but it went perfectly well.  Otherwise, a David Bowie tune on   flute, a lovely Stan Getz Sunshower, Nicola Conte and some standards.  Mereki plays with a lovely tone and confident although understated melody.  Nice.  Gus was also understated but took a solo or two and Michael was on a Bass VI, the Fender-designed octave-dropped guitar.  The Bass VI is having a run in town with Lachlan playing quite expertly, in Wanderlust and beyond.  And Greg, shredding here even beyond what I'd expected.  Just relaxed but expressive, quick and melodic.  What's not to like?  And a quick touch of Matthew Dennett and Robbie Mann playing CM Widor Toccata in F on two pianos in the Red Room.  I only caught a few minutes and really quite unexpected.  Then off for another family matter before a final return...

The ANU Jazz Orchestra performed under Con Campbell (MD, conductor).  Wayne Kelly (piano) performed with Ben O'Loughlin (bass) and Mark Sutton (drums).  Mereki Leten (tenor, flute) performed with Greg Stott (guitar), Michael Larsen-Collins (bass) and Gus Henderson (drums).  Matthew Dennett (piano) performed with Robbie Mann (e-piano).  They performed at the inaugural Canberra Jazz Festival at Smiths.

Happy 30th

We got to the 30th anniversary Gala Event for The Australia Institute.  We were the unconnected ones amongst the journalism and political elite.  It was fun and interesting if somewhat unsettling.  Lots of faces that you know, some identifiable, some with name tags and that helped.  The people of our notoriety were quite obvious, looking a bit lost and not in jovial conversation and not mingling, perhaps grabbing at all the canapes and refilling glasses a little too often.  No problem there, really.  The scene was friendly enough, just that we weren't really in it.  I crossed gazes with Joseph Stiglitz sitting off to the side looking a bit out, obviously not in this crowd if known and respected, but someone started chatting before I got to.  I toyed with a chat to Jack Waterford but I remember embarrassing myself with him once before, trying to do much the same thing.  I saw faces that I must know from Insiders or Q&A or other but couldn't name.  Similarly for at least one independent.  I knew David Pope when I saw him and he was hard to miss.  We could all identify David Pocock.  Various others I won't mention.  An Intro and welcome, then later a discussion between Richard Dennis and guest Joseph Stiglitz.  I must stream Q&A when I can because of a comment on Insiders suggesting an encounter of ex-AFR Editor Michael Stutchbury and Stiglitz.  It was just a dropped comment on Insiders but it should be amusing.  I embarrassed myself with Ebony Bennett with my Manuka encounter story.  Such is life.  But I chatted with various interesting outsiders: another CIMF billeter; someone who'd attended our Beethoven Missa Solemnis; someone involved with Megalo Print Studio.  Megan chatted to an old work mate in the film archive scene.  And hidden down the bar at the end of this lovely Old Parliament House Members' Dining Room were Matthew Dennett and Andreo Esguerra switching between classical and jazz.

The Australia Institute has a 30th Annniversary Gala event at Old Parliament House Members' Bar.  Joseph Stiglitz chatted with  Richard Denniss.  Matthew Dennett (piano) and Andreo Esguerra (violin) entertained.