Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival

Formed on the North Coast of NSW, Australia, in the summer of 2000, Twelve Tone Diamonds started as a musical partnership between guitarist Nashua Lee and pianist Thai Matus. The ensemble takes their name from a concept that involves combining twelve-tone chromatic music with the rhythmic ‘diamond’ idea developed by percussion guru Greg Sheehan – a system of playing rhythmic phrases in a displaced, mathematical sequence. Since relocating to Melbourne mid-2001 the ‘Twelvies’ have developed their own sound through dynamic group interplay, evolving compositional material and many gigs; an original band that combines the spirit and technical prowess of jazz with the blistering, raw energy of rock music.

Appearing at Big Arse Sunday, May 8th Café 303 2-9PM $25/$20 + b/f online, $30/$25 at door

Thai Matus – Keyboards

Nashua Lee – Guitar

Nick Delaney – Bass

Arron Light – Drums

Lachlan McLean – Alto Saxophone

Julien Wilson – Tenor Saxophone

http://www.myspace.com/twelvetonediamonds

‘Place’ was commissioned by the Four Winds Festival through a generous donation from the Keir Foundation. The 60-minute work in seven parts draws inspiration from the area surrounding Bermagui NSW, and explores notions of belonging and identity. Combining electronics, improvisation, preparations and acoustic instruments, this is one of Keller’s most ambitious projects to date.

From Nature’s Fabric

Guluga I & II

Drying Up

Black Swan

Wondrous Extravagance

Wave Rider

Belonging

Australian pianist and composer Andrea Keller is a leading figure on the Australian jazz scene. She has released many albums leading her own groups, winning three ARIA Awards for Best Jazz Album (2008, 2003 & 2002) and two Bell Awards for Best Australian Contemporary Jazz Album (2008 & 2003). She has been finalist in many competitions and was awarded the Freedman Foundation Jazz Fellowship in 2001 and an Australia Council Fellowship in 2010. “One of this country’s most daring and fascinating composers, she produces work that bristles with surprises, a powerful blend of European lyricism with space and improvisation.” Review of ‘Angels and Rascals’ by Leon Gettler, The AGE

Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival Opening Night

Friday April 29th The Melbourne Recital Centre Salon 7.30pm

$30/24 + bf online and at the door

Eugene Ball – trumpet

Ian Whitehurst – tenor saxophone

Andrea Keller – piano

Niko Schauble – drums & electronics

Richard Keuneman – violin

Marianne Rothschild – violin

Ceridwen Davies – viola

Naomi Wileman – cello

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Anticevic/O’Sullivan quartet featuring Lorraine Anne

Lorraine Anne – Vocals

Luke Anticevic – Guitar

Steven Hornby – Bass

Fionn O’Sullivan – Piano

John Milton – Drums

Appearing at Big Arse Sunday, May 8th Café 303 2-9PM $25/$20 + b/f online, $30/$25 at door

The MJFF is delighted to present one of Australia’s most innovative improvising ensembles. Sydney’s Simon Barker, Carl Dewhurst, Matt McMahon and Phil Slater have been recording and performing as Band of Five Names for over 10 years. The band has released four recordings, the most recent being Empty Gardens from 2006. The band has recorded music for several award-winning documentaries, and has been commissioned to compose and perform music for theatre and radio.

Tuesday May 3rd Bennetts Lane 8.30pm $18/$15 at the door

Simon Barker – drums

Carl Dewhurst – guitar

Matt McMahon – piano/keyboards

Phil Slater – trumpet/laptop

kimnara.com.au

Colectivo29 are tango quintet from Melbourne, Australia. They are a classic quintet line-up based on the late quintets of Astor Piazzolla.  Colectivo29 create new arrangements especially for their own sound, reflecting their own musical perspective as Australian musicians from diverse performing backgrounds. Performing dramatic, poetic beautiful music from Buenos Aires, colectivo29 explore the traditions of nuevo-tango music, creating distinct textures and a lyricism based on their own personal and musical backgrounds. This concert will feature Tangos by Australian composers Joe Chindamo and Jex Saarelaht

Saturday May 7th Open Studio 8pm $12 at the door

Andrew James – Piano / Arrangements

Rachael Kim – Violin

Mischa Herman – accordion

Penelope Witt – Cello

Tamara Murphy – Acoustic Bass

Colectivo29 play tango music from the late Golden Age to the post-Piazzolla period of Tango Music. Colectivo29 create new arrangements especially for their own sound, reflecting their own musical perspective as Australian musicians from diverse performing backgrounds. Members of colectivo29 have lived and studied with musicians from the core of tango music cultre in Buenos Aires, and maintain regular contact with the vibrant Buenos Aires music scene.   Colectivo29 believe the TangoVia motto that Tango is a fluid and constantly evolving genre. They aspire to develop Tango music within an Australian context, through arrangements and compositions written by Australian musicians, at the same time sharing the incredible similarities between our two beautiful countries.

www.colectivo29.com

Collider is colead by Kynan Robinson and Adam Simmons Collider has developed its own unique and beautiful sound. Brass meets strings melded together with drums creating the unique force that is Collider – an exploration in sound and composition that is as luxuriating as it is challenging, integrating strings and brass merging textures that are rarely heard in a jazz context.

Appearing at Big Arse Sunday, May 8th Café 303 2-9PM $25/$20 + b/f online, $30/$25 at door

Adam Simmons – Tenor Saxophone

Kynan Robinson – Trombone

Ronnie Ferrella – Drums

Anita Hustus – Bass

Jason Bunn – Viola

Andrea Keeble – Violin (more…)

The Lone Vanguard

“It’s Blues Jim, but not as we know it.”

Inter-galactic Roots Fusion flagbearer crusading ever deeper voyages/voyagers into the SPACE BETWEEN!!!

From tap dancing at age 8 to trombone at 15, electric bass guitar at 19 and tenor guitar at 30, some schooling, three U.S. pilgrimages and  3500+ gigs along the way, Dale’s THE LONE VANGUARD re-invention is again the perfect vehicle for his eclectic take on Roots music.

Dale Lindrea: hi-fi-analog-lo-fi-digital tenor guitar

Appearing at Big Arse Sunday, May 8th Café 303 2-9PM $25/$20 + b/f online, $30/$25 at door

www.thevanguards.com.au

www.myspace.com/thevanguardsmusic

Fallingwater Trio display a rare empathy, creating exquisitely crafted instrumental music. “stripped-back jazz that soothes the soul” (Limelight). For New Standards, they will play Australian jazz classics from Bob Sedergreen and Alister Spence, plus tributes to The Church, Icehouse and Graham Bond!

Thursday May 5th Uptown Jazz Café: 8pm (doors 7.30pm)$18 at the door

Phil Bywater tenor saxophone

Elliott Folvig guitar

Dale Lindrea bass

Fallingwater’s debut album ‘Stay’ (Jazzhead) has rapidly attracted rave responses. Bywater, Folvig and Lindrea have each been involved in Melbourne bands for nearly twenty years, their diverse talents making them in-demand performers across the jazz, roots, rock, folk and world music scenes, performing across Australia and internationally.

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MJFF 2011 APRA COMPOSER COMISSION WINNER

In what promises to be possibly the first performance of its kind anywhere, this year’s Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival is proud to present its 2011 APRA Composer Commission written by Fran Swinn for jazz quartet and the Corde Lisse. “Inform” will combine these artforms in the stunning setting of BMW Edge on Friday May 6 and will feature Circus Oz virtuoso acrobat/aerialist Rockie Stone with the Fran Swinn Quartet.

inform will integrate the forms and structures inherent in Jazz and improvised music with the forms and structures integral to a circus act. This piece will contain composed and improvised sections allowing for interplay between all performers within the musical and physical framework.

Friday May 6th BMW Edge Federation Square $25/$20 + b/f online, $30/$25 at door

Fran Swinn – guitar

Tamara Murphy – double bass

Ben Hendry – drums

Special guest soloist – Eugene Ball – trumpet

Rockie Stone – acrobatics/aerials

inform is a series of pieces that integrate the forms and structures inherent in jazz and improvised music with the forms and structures integral to a circus act. The pieces will combine improvisation typical within a jazz ensemble with interaction with the acrobat thus forming an ensemble of five. The music is structured within the parameters (rhythm, pace, shape) that are imposed by the apparatus’ (aerial rope and chair stack). Inform draws its influence from dance, theatre and clowning as well as the musical influences of Thelonious Monk, Ornette Coleman and Bill Frisell.

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Out on the lonely fringe between jazz and pop, the path is guarded and protected by a hardy bunch of brigands: the Half-Arsed Three. Their mission: to reinterpret, remould and occasionally destroy classic songs from the great Australian canon.

Thursday May 5th Uptown Jazz Café: 8pm (doors 7.30pm)$18 at the door

Casey Bennetto (vox)

Ben Hendry (drums)

Ross McFerran (guitar)

Enio Pozzebon (keys)

Vincenzo Ruberto (bass)

iPhone improv mashup

Curated by Myles Mumford – Musician, sound engineer and  iPhone addict

Get your gadget dressed in it’s finest frock for this iPhone Mashup Jam session. Using your favourite sound apps, create a sonic world of your own and/or interact with others. Instrumental/Vocal collaborations welcomed! Arrive early and sign up for you and your gadgets moment to shine!

Saturday April 30th 22 Ovens Street Brunswick 8.30pm $10 at the door

‘We’re all bombastic, humanastic, proprioplastic moulds of complex engineering, fuelled by human feeling….’Lyrical inventiveness with a kick arse horn and rhythm section. Be bop meets hip hop. ‘It’s funkatronic, supersonic, hyperphonic fun’….

The Julie O’Hara Heptet presents award winning original songs celebrating jazz vocal traditions with a dose of funk.
“It’s not the AM PM double digit sender, high pass filter got me throwing beats in the blender, better whip ‘em till they’re nice and light….’ .A unique vocal and instrumental experience with outstanding soloists and rhythm section. ”An outstanding singer”…..Laurence Donahue-Green (All about Jazz Magazine, New York) ”O’Hara’s vocals are imbued with a strong jazz feel with eloquent phrasing, melodic variations and rhythmic expression ”

Appearing at Big Arse Sunday, May 8th Café 303 2-9PM $25/$20 + b/f online, $30/$25 at door

Julie O’Hara – vocals

‘Doc’ Chris Sommervelle – piano

Carlo Barbaro – tenor sax

Eamon McNelis – trumpet

Edward York – Drums

Special guest bassist – Tamara Murphy

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Kafka Pony, the creative alter ego of guitarist/composer Mastaneh Nazarian, explores composition and improvisation with a focus on the present moment.  From its first incarnations in Boston, its rebirths in Brisbane and Los Angeles, the Pony is looking forward to unleashing its creative flow in Melbourne!

Sunday May 1st Bennetts Lane 8.30pm  $15/$12 at the door

Mastaneh Nazarian – electric guitar

Jonathan Dimond – electric bass

Sam Leskovec – drums

Mastaneh Nazarian graduated in 1995 with a BA in Professional Music (Guitar and Composition) from Berklee College of Music.  She studied composition and orchestration with Gerard Brophy and Electro-acoustic composition with Rodolphe Blois at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music where she earned a Masters of Music degree in Composition in 2001. Mastaneh has been performing as a guitarist leading her own groups since 1992.  (more…)

Wild black metal experimental microtonal tropical jazz.  Defying categorization, Kewti performs original music employing  complex meters and unique microtonal scales.  Referencing a kaleidoscope from Bali to the Balkans, Kewti’s music traverses musical vistas of both transcendental calm and cyclonic intensity.

Saturday May 7th Dancing Dog Café/Bar Footscray 3pm $10 at door

Adrian Sherriff – Bass Trombone

Tom Fryer – Guitar

Adam King – Drums

http://www.myspace.com/kewtiq

Since 1995, the Brisbane-based “Loops” has been  defining and re-defining the nexus where improvisation meets composition, where jazz meets classical and world musics, and where acoustic sound meets electronic sound. Recently returned to Australia from overseas, the band’s leader Jonathan Dimond has resurrected the “Loops” concept in his new home town, Melbourne.

Sunday May 1st Bennetts Lane 8.30pm  $15/$12 at the door

Mastaneh Nazarian – electric guitar

Jonathan Dimond – electric bass, percussion

Adrian Sherriff – Zendrum percussion controller

Jonathan Dimond has featured on-stage with such diverse and renowned artists as John Denver, Paul Grabowsky, George Russell, Mike Nock, Roger Dean, Lou Rawls, Bob Moses, Ronnie Corbett, Gulfam Sabri, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Arthur Lipner, Darryl Pratt, Roger Frampton and Urbie Green. He has participated in masterclasses with the likes of Cecil Taylor  and Trilok Gurtu.

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