FWIW

I've been too short on jazz gigs recently and even had to pass on a few due to travel and more.  But I did manage one little one with old mates Mike Dooley and his son Anthony and Richard Manderson.  Just standards but with some structure and guidance from Richard and some nice solos.  I have been somewhat unsure of soloing of late but it's a confidence thing.  I just settled this time and the grooves were good and the solos interesting and plenty of capable chops around so all was well.  So nice to to spend some time with this odd flame, jazz.  So just a pic.

Richard Manderson (tenor), Mike Dooley (piano), Anthony Dooley (drums) and Eric Pozza (bass) played a jazz gig.

Two gigs two towns

I think Mike called us Gateway to Queanbeyan although this was a return gig and the first was the week before in Ainslie.  So much for geographic precision.  But it was a great fun outing.  I used to play with Mike and Richard at the Casino and more but this was just a throwaway outing then a rehash.  Mike and Richard and Anthony and me.  Just standards but some of our favourites with Mike's expert grooves and often deliriously good solos.  His years of playing show clearly.  And Richard with his glorious Selmer tone, playing something special and nicely harmonically exploring.  I could hear the tone of John M and some hints of his delirious lines too.  Richard also has a history way back to the Sydney Con where he met Mike.  And Anthony who is a relatively new entrant on drums but, being Mike's son, with some decent guidance.  He took his share of solos or passed fours, too.  Our first outing last week was a gift to Goodwin Ainslie in honour of Richard's Mum who was once there.  This outing was Mike's request, at a fete at Qbn Presbyterian Church for their 150th anniversary.  It's so nice to visit an old stone church, view the timber decor and the touch-of-deco school house next door.  Our main churches in Canberra tend to the brick, although Ainslie All Saints has the stone aesthetic and significant history, even if borrowed from Sydney.  And to meet a former Pastor, Romeo, who had served three years in the area my family is from, in Italy, where the churches are even older still.  Whatever, a pleasure and some nice playing to boot.

Mike Dooley (keys), Richard Manderson (tenor), Anthony Dooley (drums) and Eric Pozza (bass) performed two gigs in two towns... And thanks to Lin for the pic of the band.

drum'n'bass

Dave's not been available for a little while for Tilt so we've been chasing replacement drummers.  Two were due this weekend.  First up was Red Hill Primary School fete.  It's a sentimental favourite gig: relaxed, welcoming, casual with an appreciative audience of kids and more and decent sausage sandwiches.  What's not to like.  I went through a string of drummers before finding someone available.  It's a wonderful aspect of the community, especially around the Jazz School, that your gig gets passed on until someone is available.  We ended up with Ollie Brissenden and it was a raving success.  Variously subtle, changing, sharp: a huge pleasure.  Then Richard dropped in for set 2 and I picked up my new toy, a mid-90s Japan P-Bass with Seymour Duncan p/u bought from eBay and not even been plugged in before.  It's a lovely instrument, but really pales against double bass for jazz, which is what we were playing, but it was a revelation anyway and sounded a joy for finger funk.  Thus was our latest RHPS gig.

James Woodman (piano), Ollie Brissenden (drums), Richard Manderson (tenor) and Eric Pozza (bass) performed as Tilt at Red Hill Primary School.

Spending Australia Day

This is Australia Day in the old sense meaning a holiday, some time to catch up with mates, not too much cultural hype.  In this case it was a few hours with Richard and Mike and some jamming to end it off.  For the afternoon, I'll have a listen to Mike's latest album of classical music.  Mike writes all manner of music.  I remember playing with him at Moruya Jazz Fest and one night he started playing his originals in the styles of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven and the like.  Impressive works that floored me in my pre-classical days.  Then later an album or two of witty jazz tunes.  Now this one, with his piano concerto that I remember playing with NCO at TheQ and a suite and a Celtic rhapsody.  This latest recorded under Maestro Max McBride.  That's for Australia day arvo, to listen to Mike's newest album.

Mike Dooley released another album of classical music, this one called Journeys.  Mike Dooley (piano), Richard Manderson (tenor) and Eric Pozza (bass) jammed on Australia Day.

Playing for the canapes

Richard and I played a short set, just 30-mins to accompany the welcome canapes at Cassandra's wedding at the National Museum.  Now this was fun: just a sharp short set, clear enough even if the room is drenched in echo, playing my most solid, rhythmic bass with Richard's tenor over the top and just a few bass solos.  This role just again confirmed my respect for simplicity and chordal/structural clarity given the wide responsibilities of the bass in this duo format.  The guests were all arriving, then gradually going to their seats, greeting us every now and then (that was nice) and just time for a pic with the father of the bride, Paul (on the right) and his brother Joe, friends of mine.  Just a light and lovely role for a wedding: playing for the canapes.

Richard Manderson (tenor) and Eric Pozza (bass) performed a short set at the National Museum.

Another Hofner variation

That very night (the night of the Beatles tribute) Tilt played at Old Canberra Inn and Richard dropped in to play a few tunes.  We didn't play any Beatles, but I reckon the Fab Four would have taken such a selfie, at least  in their early days, if they had our mobiles.  My bass even got a look in, so again a Hofner variation.  This was great fun and we played well but we've played too little this year.  Not sure why, but probably to some degree a function of self-promotion.  Despite this blog, we are not too good at that.  Like my alter-ego studio band, The Pots, with its few monthly listeners.  I notice lots of other players, often well regarded or with significant musical history with just a few monthly listeners like my The Pots.  A mate from a schooldays band who went on to play with the best in Australia and toured OS contacted me this week and his albums have a similar listener base.  But this was a good night out, some drinks and food, some nice bass solos and grooves and for me that's the purpose of all this anyway, at least after so many years.

Tilt Trio played at Old Canberra Inn.  Richard Manderson (tenor) sat in with James Woodman (piano), Eric Pozza (bass) and Dave McDade (drums).

Party time

Now this was fun.  Richard M was to play at Debbie's birthday party.  I'm not sure how he knew Debbie but this was a personal friend so he was to attend regardless.  I wasn't up to playing, then Mike got sick and James wasn't available and in the end I played.  I got there early enough for the first band.  I walked in as a stranger carrying a double bass which worked a treat.  This was Debbie herself in the lounge singing with 2 other women and I was impressed!  Three vocals in lovely harmony, Carmel singing melody, Debbie a third above, Therese the fifth below.  Melding beautifully on Leonard Cohen Alleluia with chordal guitar and some adventurous excursions to end.  Then just one or two other tunes, sharing the lead vocals.  I don't remember which tunes but they were well known and delightfully sung, each with its own inventions, perhaps with a sharply tuned djembe and a convincing groove, and Carmel had a small keyboard, but not sure how that was used.  But those vocals just touched me; they were sharp and accurate and sweet and the songs glowed with joy and life.  Lovely.  The trio was called Gracenotes.  I look up their FB page and there are pics from concerts at the High Court, Folk Fest, NPG, Smiths, The Bunker, Major's Creek and more so they get around.  After a break Richard and I played a sax/bass duo.  I always seem to enjoy duos.  This one was open and clear with no chords but demanding to hold complex times and bass solos are pretty sparse, but a great pleasure and we had a few up dancing, so a nice outing all around with a drink and snack or two and some cheerful chats.  Great night and lovely to hear Gracenotes.

Gracenotes are Carmel McDonell (vocals, keys), Therese Knight (vocals, guitar) and Debbie Kable (vocals, djembe).  Richard Manderson (tenor) and Eric Pozza (bass) also played a duo set.

We should practice less

Practice less?  I'm joking, of course.  It doesn't work that way.  But when we haven't played for a bit, for Covid or whatever, we play like the clappers.  It was like this last night at Molly.  Hot from the top on Stella.  I noticed my hands were in shape despite all, strong, producing nice tone, arm not hand and fingers making the quick runs.  The amp just seemed set right from the start.  That's always a good sign.  I'm listening back to a little recording and James and Dave are spot on, interactive, inquisitive.  Good stuff.  But I do tend to often claim best eva recently.  Maybe we are playing well or maybe I have stars in my eyes.  Either way, we got some good comment, met some nice audience, even from Musica Viva.  But the excitement never ends.  We had Richard sit in for a string of tunes in the second set and his sax sounds like gold (he's converted by a recent setup) and I snuck in a few funky numbers of my new toy, a Cort Curbow fretless e-bass.  I like it, all punchy and fat, although it does lack some tone of the double.  I was rough, not having played e-bass for perhaps 5 years, but was working out how to rest the palm and blurt over these little strings.  Much fun, very au courant in looks and a surprisingly good instrument.  So, much enjoyed.

Tilt Trio appeared as the James Woodman Trio at Molly.  Tilt are James Woodman (piano), Eric Pozza (bass) and Dave McDade (drums).  Richard Manderson (tenor) sat in.

Rellies at Christmas

Great that Melbourne is open again because Richard M could have his distant family in town and with them came partner Jules Pascoe.  He's a professional player in Melbourne, playing in a band called The Conglomerate which includes two members of Cat Empire.  So decent players.  I'd lent my bass no.2 for a jam with Jules, Richard and Mike Dooley and in the end, I could get over for a short visit.  Jules was playing a storm and especially in his solo.  Lovely; very impressive.  Mike and Richard were doing admirably too.  It's a wondrous thing about jazz, that people can just name a tune they know or pull up a chart and play with anyone.  That's jazz training.  Nice to meet you, Jules.

Jules Pascoe (bass) jammed with Richard Manderson (tenor) and Mike Dooley (piano).

Mike 1

Good to have another play with Mike and Richard as Aloft at Muse. All standards, latins and the like. Solid work for double bass played with no amplification. I noticed that getting on to 3 hours. But some very enjoyable playing. But there was more from Mike this weekend.

Richard Manderson (saxes), Mike Dooley (piano) and Eric Pozza (bass) played as Aloft at Muse restaurant.

Musing

Muse is a civilised place: food, wine, books. A decent grand piano in the corner, a sophisticated staff and compliant atmosphere. I sat in again with Richard, and this time with James. So good to play standards all night for a restaurant scene. Lively but also settled. I play here with no amplification, but it carries, and bows for louder solos. Also, nice to play a drummerless format for a change, with the demands on your own time but also openness it allows. Not that I don't love drums. Just different, horses for courses, ask Dirk. And interesting beers and decent wines. The world is a great place for a while as its health is forgotten, temporarily. Thanks to all.

Richard Manderson (sax), James Woodman (piano) and Eric Pozza (bass) played Muse restaurant.

Musing

Mike and Richard are currently playing fortnightly on Friday nights at Muse Restaurant in the East Hotel, Kingston, so I took the opportunity to visit and sit in for a few tunes. Luiz, one bassist at this weekend's SoundOut Festival, was staying with me so they got 2 bassists for the price of none ($0). But it was fun. I played some jazzers and perhaps one bossa. Luiz played bossas and one or two jazzers. Luiz is Brazilian born and raised so this was interesting. I got some hints on playing bossa more true-to-style (less driving, more relaxed, play the anticipation, perhaps meaning less samba) and all round the outing was a pleasure. Strange to see Luiz, who I know as an experimental player, performing bossa, but then he is Brazilian. Nice. Interesting also to play jazz without amplification. Hard work.

Mike Dooley (piano) and Richard Manderson (saxes) play fortnightly as Aloft at Muse Restaurant. Luiz Gubeissi and Eric Pozza (basses) sat in.

Catching up

It's coming on time to relax for Christmas, so that's my excuse. Here's my catchup on last Thursday, somewhat late and no pics. Morning was two performances, both recorded. Firstly, the Wind Ensemble from Brindabella Orchestra playing one of literally hundreds of Overture/suites by Telemann, this one in D major with four movements comprised of formal dance styles of the era. The Wind Ensemble was a quintet comprising 2xflute, 2xoboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon. Then the U3A Recorder Orchestra led my Margaret Wright. This is a large ensemble with a range of recorders from the descants and tenors down to the boxy, new-styled (and seriously costly) basses. They played a range of music, Mozart, Paisible, Liadov, Bonsor and did it well, but the highlight was an world-premiere, original composition by member Graham Ranft, Requiem Thiepval, a reflection on the Thiepval Cemetery memorial in France, in four parts, apparently recreating the sound of wind through the arch under repair using a dissonant F/F# pair. Then some jazz at night. Tilt played a gig with our mate Richard Manderson sitting in on various saxes. An outdoor gig for primary school kids and their parents, an end-of-year celebration with sizzles and beers. Good fun and an opportunity to let go (for me on EUB and JB) with a beer or two. Always much enjoyed.

Brindabella Wind Ensemble, U3A Recorder Orchestra and Tilt played at various locations last Thursday. Tilt comprised Richard Manderson (sax), James Woodman (piano), Eric Pozza (bass) and Dave McDade (drums).

Wet wet wet

We did a standards gig in the Drill Hall Gallery. They have a lovely grand piano and that was what most interested us. Otherwise, the place and audience is quiet but welcoming and the space is heavy with reverb. The moral is, some rugs and curtains are welcomed. Here's a pic of Richard and James playing a duo on Blue in green and detail of a painting from the current exhibition, colourful, presumably abstract expressionist works by Ann Thomson.

The band was James Woodman (piano), Richard Manderson (saxes) and Eric Pozza (bass). No drums.

Gary

I blog first gigs with any players and last night's gig with Rachel and the Republicans was one of them. It was the first time I've played with Gary France and he was a blast. Confident and correct, tack sharp and snap loud snare on some grooving funk, luscious and easy swing and some stunning eights and other solo passages. All a bit loud, but this was fun. The Republicans were driving. Rachel floored me with power and delivery and Mike and Rachel with their have developed a neat and witty harmony interplay on a string of tunes. Rach and Mike have been working frequently as the duo, In 2 Deep, as well as having recently recorded an album; it shows. I didn't manage to take all this in, concentrating on my own part, but Richard, too, was intriguing in a string of solos, and neatly inserting fills and comping at other times. As for me, it was double bass all night, big sound and some very satisfying grooves but a few same old same old habits in soloing. This was great fun with some impressive playing on standards but also a string of wonderful tunes from Mike's pen. My thanks to all. It's a pleasure and a privilege to perform with such players.

Rachel and the Republicans were Rachel Thorne (vocals), Mike Dooley (piano, vocals), Richard Manderson (saxes), Gary France (drums) and Eric Pozza (bass).

Future back-tracking

Great fun night. Jazz Republic plays a backyard for Martina and Jack. This is a crossing the generations gig for crossed generations. A standard mix of jazz and pop but a clear night, a band drenched in chemicals for the mozzies, some considerable fun and one of the only times I've played a party gig and had people sit later in the night to listen. Also amusing to be playing e-bass again. I forget how quick and fluent you can be on this thing, especially after years developing muscles on the ungainly but beautiful double bass. Is this a back to the future experience? Maybe so. Electric basses are hardly the future (dating from ~mid-1950s) but double basses have centuries on them. But much enjoyed. Thanks to all.

Jazz Republic were Leanne Dempsey (vocals), James Woodman (piano), Richard Manderson (saxes), Eric Pozza (bass) and Brenton Holmes (drums).

Then there were only three

I didn't write up another gig for a drummer-less trio a few weeks ago, but here's another. It's a strange conjunction but pleasant enough. Play without drums and the sound is more open, but also there's a more demanding role to lay down a beat and hold it. Interesting for a bassist, but also for piano. The rhythm section is missing its heart and the response is both a challenge and a pleasure. Last time was the Old Parliament House cafe with Richard and Mike and me. This time was ANU Arts Centre, for a cocktail party-styled, pre-event get-together. I enjoyed both gigs. The OPH gig conflicted with something or other, so was not too well attended. This night at ANU was a buzz of activity and free drinks and chatter so we could play to ourselves and enjoy the outing and entertain a crowd. This was James and Richard and me. Standards, suits, even a few friends appearing from the crowd while we played. That's not always so easy ... at least for the altered or diminished chords. And an audience that was more interested in chatting, so leaving us to extensive solos and such indulgences. The only problem was that it stopped too soon. But then, as I tell myself, this is work, after all. It can't all be a bed of roses. James Woodman (piano), Richard Manderson (saxes) and Eric Pozza (bass) played at the ANU Arts Centre.

Happy New Year

CJ seems to be having an unplanned breather, but here are a few pics from a New Years Eve party we played at last night. For Richard and family, playing with Mike, Richard and Steve Richards. Richard relative Kahlee has singer-song-written pop and folk in Melbourne and sat in for a few tunes. I was satisfied with sound and technique so enjoying the outing. Sound helps with everything, but the openness of playing outside at moderate volume made for a groove-conscious, underplayed gig. I revelled in the polyrhythmic interplays of Herbie Hancock and sweetness and embellishments and simple counterpoint of the latins and the neatness of rock and roll pentatonics and the offbeat syncopation of finger-funk. All fun. And the party was good, too... This night, Jazz Republic was Richard Manderson (saxes), Mike Dooley (piano), Eric Pozza (bass) and Steve Richards (drums) and Kahlee Baker (vocals) sat in for one set.

Always a pleasure

In2Deep meets Jazz Republic, or at least a mix of musos under a few band names. Mike and Rachel perform as a duo under the name In2Deep and here's a pic. They called the band in for this night to celebrate end-of-year / Christmas. Noddy sat in for Brenton. Good family fun and some nice relaxed playing, even if James Brown always challenges on double bass. Thanks to all.

Another musical pleasure

Mark Sutton and Reuben Lewis are friends and musicians who I’ve heard and admired for a long time. I’d played one gig with Mark way back, on e-bass, and none with Reuben. So to have them sit in was a pleasure. Thanks, Mark and Reuben …. and Mike and Richard, too, of course.