Adam Simmons – saxophones
Ben Carr – saxophones
Joe Talia – drums

New Blood formed in 1998 with a desire to expand their musical concepts and challenge the conventional roles of their instruments - a mix of acoustic hardcore and beautiful lyricism. In 1999 they were awarded the Melbourne Fringe FestivalÂ’s Best Music Award. They released their CD, “Heavy Water” in 1999. In 2000 New Blood toured to Europe, performing throughout Poland, Paris (France) and Rostock (Germany). There have been a couple of different formations including original percussionist, Will Guthrie, though this line up has been consistent since 2000. In Australia they have performed at the Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival, venues in Melbourne, Sydney, Ballarat, Geelong, Albury and Newcastle. Performances have been rare in recent times due to Ben’s relocation to Brisbane. The Big Arse Sunday gig is one of a series of gigs, including the Valley Jazz Festival in April (Brisbane) to celebrate the release of a new CD of material recorded live in Poland. There will be new material performed also in preparation for a 2007 recording.

The premiere of a new sextet, featuring a unique line-up with three of Australia’s most distinctive drummers - Sean Baxter (bucketrider, Lazy), Niko Schauble (Tibetan Dixie, Australian Art Orchestra) and Ted Vining (Ted Vining Trio, Musikki Oy, Oynsemble) - as well as Gideon Brazil, Phil Noy and Adam Simmons forming the triple-barrelled sax section of either all baritone or all alto saxophones. This group has been formed by Simmons to celebrate and highlight the creative forces that each of these musicians harness and to explore the potential of such an unusual combination of both instruments and personalities.

Sean Baxter - drums
Niko Schauble - drums
Ted Vining - drums
Gideon Brazil - baritone/alto saxes
Phil Noy - baritone/alto saxes
Adam Simmons - baritone/alto saxes

For sound samples and more info click
From Sydney featuring
Cameron Undy - Bass
Carl Dewhurst - Guitar
Simon Barker - Drums
Matt Keegan - Tenor sax
Gerard Masters - Keys

“Approaching improvised perfection.” Sydney Morning Herald

20th Century Dog was formed in 1996, it has since played concerts for Jazzgroove and S.I.M.A. 1996-2007 and was featured at Jazz/Now Festival (S.O.H.) 2005 and was ‘Primary Artist’ for Jazzgroove Association 2005. “Mad Stream” (JGR) was named in ‘Top 80 Albums of the Year’ Sydney Morning Herald 2005. 20th Century Dog was also nominated for the Bell ‘Jazz Artist of the Year’ in 2006.

Brilliant and understated Melbourne bassist well known for his work with bands including Ish Ish and Kynan Robinson’s En Rusk in a rare solo performance

The limitless creativity of Vanessa Tomlinson has spawned significant contributions in the fields of solo percussion, contemporary chamber music, improvisation and performance art.
As a soloist she has worked closely with influential European composers Vinko Globokar and Brian Ferneyhough and commissioned numerous works from emerging Australian and American composers. She performs frequently with a wide array of contemporary chamber and improvisation ensembles, including Australian Art Orchestra, Elision, Intergalactic Contemporary Ensemble and Clocked Out Duo, was an original member of the “red fish blue fish” percussion ensemble, and has more recently founded the Australian percussion quartet Playing Fields. As co-founder of Melbourne-based Clocked Out Productions she directed award-winning musico-theatrical productions, organized and curated influential concert series and events.
Increasingly her work involves hybrid forms, combining improvisation and composition, percussion and voice, cross-disciplinary collaborations with dancers and visual artists and cross-cultural collaborations.

“Vanessa Tomlinson has the technique, the sensitivity, the voice and the sense of dramatic timing that enable her to create, with total conviction, a world where percussion, speech and movement mix and match in a distinctive and original art form.” (Elizabeth Silsbury, The Advertiser - Australia 1996)

Trio , n -A group of three
Apoplectic , adj. of, resembling, or produced by apoplexy: an apoplectic fit.
a) having or inclined to have apoplexy.
b) exhibiting symptoms associated with apoplexy.
c) extremely angry; furious.

Trio Apoplectic was collectively formed by Dave Jackson, Abel Cross
and Alex Masso at jazz school in 2003. They have performed throughout
Sydney and Regional NSW, also Victoria and other major centres and
recently released their debut, self-titled album through Jazzgroove
Records.
For more info and sound samples from Trio Apoplectic’s album out on Jazzgroove click

For sound samples please click
Saxophonist/composer Phil Bywater (Buried Treasure, Adam Simmons Toy Band, Big Fela) presents his new trio. Their distinctive sound blends lush jazz balladry with cinematic soundscapes and soulful minimalism, and the addition of multi-percussionist Ben Sibson brings a further rich colour to the ensemble. The debut CD is now available.

Phil Bywater (saxophone)
Elliott Folvig (guitar)
Dale Lindrea (bass)
Ben Sibson (drums)

Frock are five musicians bringing together years of performance and writing experience in to one ensemble. The group explores compositional forms and aesthetics from cultures as varied as Eastern Europe, Cuba, West Africa and Latin America. These influences are combined with passion, energy, and humour to form the unique hybrid that is Frock.

Jex Saarelaht piano, Philip Rex double bass, Niko Schauble drums
The brilliant and orginal pianist in his ‘home’ setting.
Jex was last year’s Fringe Commission winner

Anita Hustas - Bass
Anthony Schulz - Accordion and Piano
Joe Talia - Percussion and Electronics

Anemone plays with conversations and soundscapes.
Formerly The Anita Hustas Trio it was formed in 2004 as a vehicle for Anita Hustas’ small ensemble works. Anemone has now developed a true ensemble sound and concept as it moves effortlessly through compositions and free improvisations. Meditative and ethereal soundscapes and programmatic tunes define this ensemble’s uniquely Australian flavour. For more information visit anitahustas.com

Performances include:

2007 Melbourne Jazz Co-op Transitions Series
2006 Make It Up Club Series
2006 Loop Concert Series
2006 Darebin Music Festival - Northcote Uniting Church
2006 NGV Pissaro Concert Series
2006 Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival- Czech Club
2006 Melbourne Jazz Co-op Transitions Series at Bennetts Lane
2006 Make It Up Club Festival
2005 Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival
2005 La Mama Musica Melbourne Fringe Festival
2005 Half Bent Music series
2004 live DVD recording BMW Edge Federation Square Melbourne