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.

Stan

Mereki plays cool, correct, crisp, nicely inventive with beautiful and consistent tones, gorgeous not boisterous.  I once saw Stan Getz and I mentioned him to Mereki and she noted that he's an influence.  I wasn't at all surprised.  Such a lovely tone and such understated but expressive playing!  She was playing at Molly for a Tuesday evening jazz night gig with Michael and Greg.  Greg is probably one of her teachers; Michael is a fellow student and I often see them playing together.  I first thought he was on guitar and he did have 6 strings, but it was a Fender Bass 6.  It's actually a bass guitar, tuned EADGBE one octave below a guitar, although its short scale makes it a different beast.  I feel they sound like guitarists playing low rather than bassists, but it's thuddy and it does the trick and they get the gig, so so be it.  He played some quick solos down low or up the neck that few bassists could manage.  And Greg was playing guitar in his lithe but quick, crisp, fluent style.  Just standards, carefully and precisely done, expressive and relaxed and sometimes up, neat and clear, or maybe a ballad.  The Nearness of you had me melting.  It's so beautiful and they did such a lovely job on it.  I just caught one set but it was a lovely thing.

Mereki Leten (tenor) led a trio with Greg Stott (guitar) and Michael Larsen-Collins (guitar) at Molly.

Return of the Recorders

I was mightily pleased to get an invitation to a concert to welcome back the Recording Ensemble to ANOSOM.  There was once a time when the Jazz School had a Big band, a Commercial Ensemble and a Recording Ensemble.  This concert featured the Recording Ensemble for its first outing in the 2023 format and the Jazz Orchestra.  Leader Greg Stott mentioned the murky distinction of Big band / Jazz Orchestra and it's an interesting discussion but JO it is given the style of music it plays.  But first the RE.  It's smaller, just rhythm section and a small horn section.  They played several Wanderlust tunes and more and leader Miro sat in.  Not quite a slick as the JO yet, but the format is good and I welcome the arrival and look forward to more composition.  As I remember, the original tended to write its own music for recording.  It's an interesting and challenging concept.  Then the JO.  They started with a tune by Jenna Cave called For Miro.  Jenna was a student at the time of the three ensembles and is now leading the Divergence JO in Sydney.  Then a contrafact on Ray Charles with Wayne Kelly sitting in, Stella with El Osborne soloing on violin, Now's the time with Bird's solo played in harmony by the front line saxes, Sophisticated lady and Chick Corea Spain to warm us up for the end of the session.  This all happened in Athenaeum, the large ticket room and bar below Llewellyn Hall.  Then, to finish, a small band named the Tiny Jazz Collective played in the old Wig and Pen room.  TJC featured four players from the larger bands, Mereki Leten, Michael Larsen-Collins, Olivia Uebergang and Dan Simmons playing some older tunes modernised; an interesting challenge and nicely done.  Greg had hinted that this Friday Night Jazz Club may recur, so good to see the larger bands back and also, possibly, more jazz events at the ANUSOM.  After all, what is jazz without performance?

The ANU Recording Ensemble and ANU Jazz Orchestra performed at the Athenaeum at ANU followed by a small band in the old Wig and Pen room.  The Tiny Jazz Collective comprised Mereki Leten (soprano sax), Michael Larsen-Collins (this time bass), Olivia Uebergang (guitar) and Dan Simmons (drums).  

Coincidences

The National Press Club is my go-to on a quiet Friday evening when I want a short outing with beer and some entertainment.  It's local and easy parking and a happy half-hour to boot, let alone some of the best local players, even if the playing tends to kept fairly tame in this context.  This night Mereki Leten and Michael Larsen-Collins were playing.  Not a pair I knew but they were described as a "up-and-coming sax and guitar duo" so all sounded good.  I enjoyed them with capable playing of standards and latins and the like from their differently keyed iGigbooks on the music stand.  Mereki had some flourishes that hinted at considerable chops and I loved how she played conterpoint to several of Michael's solos.  And Michael's solos and chordal backings were worthy outings; not surprising from an obviously serious student of Greg Stott.  For some audience involvement, I requested Alone together and they didn't know it but they did a very decent read.  Then chatting, I realised Mereki was the female saxist that my band, Tilt, had got in for a gig a few weeks before when I was out of town (with bassist Barney Briggs).  I felt there was due respect all round for that outing.  So, some names I didn't know until now, but surprisingly close to home.

Mereki Leten (soprano sax, flute) and Michael Larsen-Collins (guitar) played at the National Press Club.